Reset the password of another Windows 7 user
If you are using Windows 7 as an "Administrator" user (as opposed to "Standard User"), or if you know the administrator's password, you will not only be able to make changes to your own Windows profile, but you'll also be able to customize other user accounts on the same computer (or even on the same local network or HomeGroup). This includes changing security settings like password protection for anyone on that PC - in this tutorial, we will show you how to reset the password of another Windows 7 user.
Reset passwords of other Windows user accounts
Follow these steps to reset a forgotten Windows 7 password for other users:
- First, click on the start menu, and type "reset password" inside the search field.
- When the search results load at the top, click on the "Change your Windows password" link:
- As soon as you do, Windows 7 will open the Control Panel: your own user account's settings are automatically loaded, so click on the "Manage another account" link displayed at the bottom. (If asked to do so, enter the administrator's password at the prompt.)
- Windows 7 will now show you a list of all user accounts currently setup on that computer; simply click on the icon of the user whose password you want to reset, and it will load that user account's profile in the Control Panel.
- You now have two options: either remove password protection of another user, or reset that user's account password to something else (since you are resetting that password because that person has forgotten their current password, or because you want to prevent the selected user from accessing Windows 7 on that computer by picking a new password). To reset the existing password and change it to a new one, click "Change the password":
- Unlike the regular "change Windows 7 password" screen, the following screen doesn't require you to enter that user's current password, since you are logged in as an administrator, or have supplied the administrator's password. So the screen you are now looking at only has three fields: type the reset-password inside the "New password" field, and confirm it (to avoid mistakes) inside the "Confirm new password" field shown below it:
- Next, you have the ability to enter a password hint, in case that user forgets once more his or her password. If you are resetting that user's password to prevent him/her from accessing Windows, no need to supply any password hint, of course.
- Finally, click on the "Change password" button shown at the bottom of that screen.
Windows 7 will then bring you back to the previous screen, your visual confirmation that you have successfully reset that other user account's password (and optionally their password hint).
Reset Change Windows 7 Password is not affiliated with Microsoft; Windows 7, the Windows logo, and other Windows-related brands mentioned on this site are registered trademarks of Microsoft and/or other companies. Always use best judgment when changing Windows 7 password and other credentials or security settings on your computer, laptop, or PC. Information on change your Windows 7 password is provided "as is", without warranties of any kind. Keep your Windows 7 passwords safe and never share them.