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How To Create a Windows 7 Password Reset Disk

By , About.com Guide

Password Reset Disk Windows 7 - How To Create a Windows 7 Password Reset Disk - Windows 7 Password

Windows 7 Password Reset Disk

A Windows 7 password reset disk could really come in handy if you ever forget your account password. With it, you can easily reset your Windows 7 password and get right in to your PC.

There are ways to recover lost Windows passwords without a password reset disk but they're often complicated and time consuming.

Be proactive by creating a password reset disk today. With a Windows 7 password reset disk, forgetting your password is no longer a crisis.

Follow the easy steps below to create a password reset disk for your Windows 7 account:

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Creating a password reset disk for your Windows 7 logon usually takes less than five minutes
Here's How:
  1. Click on Start and then Control Panel in Windows 7.

  2. Click on the User Accounts and Family Safety link.

    Note: If you're viewing the Large icons or Small icons view of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Simply double-click on the User Accounts icon and proceed to Step 4.

  3. Click on the User Accounts link.

    Important: Before you proceed, make sure have some kind of portable media to create a password reset disk on. This means that you will need a flash drive or a floppy disk drive and blank floppy disk.

    You will not be able to create a Windows 7 password reset disk on a CD, DVD, or external hard drive.

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

    Note: Did you get a "No Drive" warning message? If so, you do not have a floppy disk or USB flash drive connected. You'll need to do this before continuing.

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

  6. In the I want to create a password key disk in the following drive: drop down box, choose the portable media drive to create a Windows 7 password reset disk on.

    Click Next to continue.

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

  8. Windows 7 will now create the password reset disk on your chosen media.

    When the progress indicator shows 100% complete, click Next and then click Finish in the next window.

  9. You can now remove the flash drive or floppy disk from your computer.

    Label the disk "Password Reset" and store it in a safe place.

Tips:
  1. Not a Windows 7 user? See How do I Create a Windows Password Reset Disk? for specific instructions for your version of Windows.

  2. You only need to create a password reset disk for your Windows 7 logon password once. No matter how many times you change your password, this disk will always allow you to create a new one.

  3. While a password reset disk will certainly come in handy if you ever forget your password, keep in mind that anyone who possesses this disk will be able to access your Windows 7 account at any time, even if you change your password.

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