How to Crack a Windows 7 Password

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Sometimes you forget your password, but luckily it's not the end of the world. With a few tricks, you can change the password for any Windows 7 user account on any computer. All you'll need is a Windows 7 installation disc, which you can make yourself for free.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/3941036-1.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/3941036-1.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In order to crack user passwords, you'll need to boot from a Windows 7 installation disc. There are a couple of ways that you can go about getting one: [1]
    • Any Windows 7 installation disc will work, so you may be able to borrow or find one.
    • You can download a Windows 7 ISO and burn it to a disc to create your own installation disc. You can download the ISO legally from Microsoft here , if you have a product key. You can also download the ISO from various torrent sites. Burn the ISO to a blank DVD by right-clicking on it and selecting "Burn to Disc" (Windows 7 later). See How to Create a Recovery Disc in Windows 7 for more details.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/3941036-2-1.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-2-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/3941036-2-1.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-2-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll be booting from the installation disc instead of loading Windows 7 as usual.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/3941036-3-1.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-3-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/3941036-3-1.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-3-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This key varies depending on your computer's manufacturer. The key will be displayed on the screen that appears as the computer first boots up. You'll need to press this key before Windows loads. Loading the BOOT menu directly instead of the BIOS menu will be quicker, but not all computers support this.
    • Common keys include F2 , F10 , F11 , or Del .
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/3941036-4.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/3941036-4.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you loaded directly to the boot menu, select the drive that contains the Windows 7 installation disc. If you loaded to the BIOS menu, navigate to the BOOT section using the keyboard and then change the boot order so that the drive containing the Windows 7 installation disc is listed first.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/3941036-5.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/3941036-5.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you were in the BIOS, save your changes and exit to reboot the computer and boot from the installation disc. Press any key when prompted to start Windows Setup.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/3941036-6.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/3941036-6.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In the first screen that appears, you'll be asked to set your language and input options. You can usually leave everything at the default settings.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/3941036-7.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/3941036-7.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Instead of clicking "Install now" to start the Windows 7 installation, click the "Repair your computer" button in the bottom-left corner of the window.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/3941036-8.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/3941036-8.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    These are all of the operating systems installed on the computer. Most computers will only have one operating system listed here.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/3941036-9.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/3941036-9.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will launch the Command Prompt.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/3941036-10.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/3941036-10.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The following four commands will allow you to access the Command Prompt from the Windows Login screen. This will let you reset the passwords once Windows has loaded. Enter each of these commands, in order, pressing ↵ Enter after each one:

    C:\
    cd windows\system32
    ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak
    copy cmd.exe utilman.exe

  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/3941036-11.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/3941036-11.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Allow Windows 7 to load as it normally would.
  12. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/3941036-12.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/3941036-12.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ⊞ Win + U on the Windows Login screen to open the Command Prompt. This would normally load the Accessibility Manager, but the commands you entered earlier renamed the programs so that the Command Prompt loads instead.
  13. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/3941036-13.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/3941036-13.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    net user and press ↵ Enter to display the list of user names. All of the users on the computer will be displayed.
  14. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/3941036-14.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/3941036-14.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can use the net user command to change any user's password to whatever you'd like. Type the following command and press ↵ Enter , replacing username with the user you want to crack. If the username has a space in it, surround it in quotes. Enter the new password twice when prompted.
    • net user username *
    • For example, to change the user John Everyman's password, you would type net user "John Everyman" * and press ↵ Enter .
  15. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/3941036-15.jpg\/v4-460px-3941036-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/3941036-15.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-3941036-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    After changing the password in the Command Prompt, you can immediately use the new password to log in on the Windows Login screen. Just select the user that you changed the password for and then enter the new password.
  16. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/2650712-17.jpg\/v4-460px-2650712-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/2650712-17.jpg\/aid3941036-v4-728px-2650712-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Now that you've changed the password and successfully logged in, you'll want to revert utilman.exe to its original state in case someone needs the Accessibility Center. Open the Command Prompt from the Start menu and perform the following commands in order: [2]

    C:\
    cd windows\system32
    del utilman.exe
    ren utilman.exe.bak utilman.exe

    17. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What if I don't have a Windows 7 repair disk?
    Community Answer
    There are instructions included to make your own Windows 7 install disk.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 48
  • Question
    How can I reset the password if there are multiple users?
    Community Answer
    You'll want to reset the Admin password. From the Admin account, you can then add and remove users at will.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 18 Helpful 30
  • Question
    What are the best apps to use to hack any version of Windows?
    Community Answer
    Use Metasploit or Kali Linux.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 18 Helpful 24
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add or Update a Password on Your Windows 10 or 11 Computer
      How to
      Reset a Huawei Router Password
      How to
      Set a Windows Password
      How to
      View Your Passwords in Credential Manager on Windows
      How to
      Change Your Password from Your Windows 10 Lock Screen
      2 Easy Ways to Put a Password on a Microsoft Word Document
      How to
      Bypass the Administrator Password in Windows
      How to
      Add a Password to a .Bat File
      How to
      Open Bitlocker Encrypted USB Drive on Another Computer
      3 Ways to Manage Your Passwords with KeePass
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.technibble.com/bypass-windows-logons-utilman/
      2. ↑ https://www.technibble.com/bypass-windows-logons-utilman/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Insert a Windows 7 disc.
      2. Boot from the disc.
      3. Click Repair your computer .
      4. Select Windows 7 .
      5. Click Command prompt .
      6. Create a password backdoor.
      7. Remove the disc and reboot.
      8. Press Windows Key + U instead of logging in.
      9. Enter the password reset commands.
      10. Remove the password backdoor.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,012,827 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement