How do I create a password reset disk?

Use the Forgotten Password Wizard to make a password reset disk

Updated on September 7, 2022

What to Know

• In Windows 11 and 10, search Control Panel for password reset disk. Choose Create a password reset disk.
• Follow the wizard to select the drive you want to use as the reset disk.
• Enter your current Windows password and follow the on-screen prompts.

This article explains how to make a Windows password reset disk, which is a specially created disk or USB flash drive that restores access to Windows if you've forgotten your password. It's a useful step to take if you tend to forget your password, and it's easy to create; all you need is a USB flash drive or disk.

How to Make a Windows Password Reset Disk

Create a password reset disk in Windows 11, 10, 8 etc., using the Forgotten Password Wizard built-in to Windows. Specific steps may differ based on the operating system version you're running, but the basic process will be the same.

With Windows 11, 10, and 8, Microsoft allowed the linking of a user account to a Microsoft Account, rather than relying on local-only accounts. If your account is connected to your online MS account, you can simply reset or change your password online. You only need a password reset disk if your account is local—which, for most home users, is not the default.

1. Open Control Panel.

   In Windows 11, search for it from the search utility on the taskbar.

   In Windows 10 and Windows 8, find it via the Power User Menu by pressing Win+X.

   For Windows 7 and older versions of Windows, select Start and then Control Panel.

2. For Windows 11 and 10, search Control Panel for password reset disk. Choose Create a password reset disk from the results, and then skip to Step 5.

   Windows 8 and Windows 7 users should pick the User Accounts and Family Safety link.

   Select User Accounts if you're using Vista or XP.
   

   If you're viewing the Large icons or Small icons view, or the Classic View of Control Panel you won't see this link. Instead, find and open the User Accounts icon and proceed to Step 4.

3. Select the User Accounts link. Before you proceed, obtain a flash drive or a floppy disk drive and blank floppy disk. You will not be able to create a Windows password reset disk on a CD, DVD, or external hard drive.

4. In the task pane on the left, choose the Create a password reset disk link.

   Windows 7 Control Panel.

   Windows XP only: You won't see that link if you're using XP. Instead, choose your account from the "or pick an account to change" section at the bottom of the User Accounts screen. Then, choose Prevent a forgotten password from the left pane. If you get a "No Drive" warning message, you do not have a floppy disk or USB flash drive connected.

5. When the Forgotten Password Wizard window appears, select Next.

6. In the I want to create a password key disk in the following drive drop-down box, choose the portable media drive on which to create a Windows password reset disk.

   You will only see a selection menu here if you have more than one compatible device attached. If you have just one, you'll be told the drive letter of that device, and that it will be used to create the reset disk.

7. Select Next.

8. With the disk or other media still in the drive, enter your current account password in the text box and select Next.

   If you've already used this floppy disk or flash drive as a different password reset tool for a different user account or computer, you'll be asked if you want to overwrite the existing disk. See the tip below to learn how to use the same media for multiple password reset disks.

9. When the progress indicator shows 100 percent complete, select Next and then Finish in the next window.

10. Remove the flash drive or floppy disk from your computer. Label the disk or flash drive to identify what it's for, like "Windows 11 Password Reset" or "Windows 7 Reset Disk," and store it in a safe place.

You only need to create a password reset disk for your Windows login password once. No matter how many times you change your password, this disk will always allow you to create a new one.

While a reset disk will certainly come in handy if you ever forget your password, anyone who possesses this disk will be able to access your Windows account at any time, even if you change your password.

Password Reset Disks for Other User Accounts

A Windows password reset disk is only valid for the user account that it was created for. You can't create a reset disk for a different user on a different computer, or use one password reset disk on another account that may be on the same computer.

Each account you want to protect will have to have its own password reset disk. You can, however, use the same floppy disk or flash drive as the password reset disk on any number of user accounts. When Windows resets a password using the reset disk, it looks for the password backup file (userkey.psw) that's at the root of the drive, so make sure that you store other reset files in a different folder.

For example, you can keep the userkey.psw file for a user called "Amy" in a folder called "Amy Password Reset Disk," and another one for "Jon" in a separate folder. When it's time to reset the password for the "Jon" account, just use a different (working) computer to move the PSW file out of the "Jon" folder and into the root of the floppy disk or flash drive so that Windows can read from the right one.

It doesn't matter how many folders you keep password backup files in or how many are on a single disk. However, because you must never change the file name (userkey) or file extension (.psw), they have to be stored in separate folders to avoid a name collision.

Forgotten Passwords and No Recovery Disk Available

If you've forgotten your Windows password, you won't be able to create a password reset disk. There are, however, several things you can do to try to get in. If there are multiple users with accounts on the computer, you could have another user reset the password for you. Try one of several ways to find lost Windows passwords.

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