How to access a laptop without Administrator password [UPDATED]

If you’ve forgotten your Windows password and can’t log in, here are a few ways you might be able to reset your password without having to use the nuclear option and reinstall Windows.

It’s easily done: you forget your Windows password and didn’t create a password hint. Here are a few things you can do to try to log in without the password.

Obviously we provide these tips on the basis you’re going to use them on your own computer, and not for accessing someone else’s. Clearly, we do not condone that.

First, just in case it saves time, check you haven’t accidentally pressed Caps Lock. You may be typing the right password, but since they’re case-sensitive, it won’t be recognised.

Use the hidden administrator account

We’ll mainly deal with Windows 7 here because in Windows 10 you’re likely to be using a Microsoft account, rather than a local Windows login. Click here to go to the Windows 10 password reset section, which also covers Windows 8.

Windows 7 (and some previous versions) have an administrator account which isn’t visible in normal use.

Note: this method may not work if the account has been disabled, which it is by default in some Windows 7 installations.

1. Start up (or re-start) your computer and press F8 repeatedly
2. From the menu that appears, choose Safe Mode
3. Key in "Administrator" in Username (note the capital A), and leave the password blank.
4. You should be logged in to safe mode.
5. Go to Control Panel, then User Accounts
6. Select the account you want to reset the password
7. Change the password

How to Automatically Logon to Windows

• Open the Advanced User Accounts program. To do this in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, enter the following command in the Run dialog box via WIN+R or from the Power User Menu (in Windows 10 or 8), followed by a tap or click of the OK button:

netplwiz

A different command is used in Windows XP:

control userpasswords2

Tip: You can also open Command Prompt and do the same if you'd rather, but using Run is probably a bit quicker overall. In Windows 10, you can also just search for netplwiz using the search/Cortana interface.

Note: Technically, this program is called the Advanced User Accounts Control Panel, but it's not really a Control Panel applet and you won't find it in Control Panel. To make it more confusing, the title of the windows says just User Accounts.

• On the Users tab, which should be where you are now, uncheck the box next to Users must enter a username and password to use this computer. 
• Tap or click the OK button at the bottom of the window. 
• When the Automatically sign in box appears, enter the username you wish to use for your automatic login.

Important: If you're using a Microsoft account in Windows 10 or Windows 8, be sure to enter the entire email address that you use to sign into Windows with, in the User name field. What defaults there might instead be the name associated with your account, not your actual username.

• In the Password and Confirm Password fields, enter the password used to sign into Windows. Tap or click the OK button.
• The windows for Automatically sign in and User Accounts will now close. 
• Restart your computer and make sure that Windows automatically logs you in. You may catch a glimpse of the sign-in screen, but only long enough to see it log you in without you having to type anything!

Are you a Desktop lover looking to speed up your Windows 8 boot process even more? In Windows 8.1 or later you can make Windows start directly to the Desktop, skipping the Start screen.

Also you may read:

• 5 Tricks: How to Access a Locked Windows Accounts
• How to Access Your Computer if You Have Forgotten the Password
• How to Reset / Remove / Forgotten BIOS or CMOS Password?