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    Specialist of Customer Service Dept.
 

Summary
Learn how to factory reset your HP laptop without a password in Windows 10 using various methods such as resetting or changing the Microsoft account password, using third-party software like Renee PassNow, accessing HP Recovery Manager, creating a new Administrator account, or contacting HP Customer Support for assistance.



Are you struggling to access your HP laptop because you have forgotten your password? Or do you simply want to reset your laptop to its factory settings? Whatever the reason may be, not having the password can be frustrating. However, there is a way to factory reset your HP laptop without the need for a password. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to reset your laptop using a web browser. This method is especially useful if you have a Microsoft account linked to your laptop. So, let’s dive into the first method to reset or change your Microsoft account password directly from the web browser.

Method 1: Reset or change Microsoft account password from web browser

If you have forgotten your HP laptop password and need to reset it, you can do so by resetting or changing your Microsoft account password from a web browser. Follow the steps below to easily reset or update your Microsoft account password using an HP Windows 10 PC.
Tips:To utilize this method, ensure that your local account is linked to your online Microsoft Account.
Step 1: Open a web browser on your HP Windows 10 PC and go to the Microsoft account password reset page(https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx).
reset Microsoft Account password
Step 2: Enter the email, Skype username, or phone number associated with your Microsoft account and click on “Next“.
Step 3: Click on “I forgot my password” and then click “Next“.
Step 4: Choose one of the available methods to receive a security code. This can be through email, text message, or a phone call.
Step 5: Follow the instructions in the wizard.
Step 6: You will then be prompted to sign in with your new password on all devices using your Microsoft account.
Once you have completed these steps, your Microsoft account password will be successfully reset and you can now use this new password to access your HP laptop.
Note: If you do not have access to your Microsoft account or cannot reset your password through a web browser, you can try using another admin account or a password reset disk to reset your HP laptop password. Alternatively, you can use a professional program such as Renee PassNow to create a password reset disk on another working computer.

Method 2: Employ Renee PassNow to Remove the Existing Account Password

If you are unable to log into your HP laptop due to a forgotten password, there are various methods you can use to factory reset it without using a password. One such method is by using Renee PassNow, a powerful program that allows you to remove the existing account password and regain access to reset options. Follow the steps below to learn how to use Renee PassNow to factory reset your HP laptop without a password.
Tips:If your account is Microsoft Account, Renee PassNow will convert this account to Local account. After resetting login password, you need to connect your account to your Microsoft Account again.
To reset your Windows password using Renee PassNow, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow
Start by downloading Renee PassNow from the official website and install it on a different computer that you can access. You can choose the appropriate version based on your computer’s operating system.
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Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or CD/DVD
Launch Renee PassNow and insert a USB flash drive or blank CD/DVD into the computer. Select the option to create a bootable media. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Create New Windows 10 Password Reset Disk with Renee PassNow
Step 3: Boot the Locked Server from the Bootable Media
Insert the bootable USB or CD/DVD into the locked Windows computer. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Delete). Configure the boot order to prioritize the bootable media.
Common Server:
Server TypeEnter boot menu method
DELLPress the F12 key repeatedly before the Dell logo appears on the screen.
HPPress the F9 key multiple times when the HP logo is displayed.
Common Computers:
BIOS NameEnter boot menu method
ASRockDEL or F2
ASUSDEL or F2 for PCs/ DEL or F2 for Motherboards
AcerDEL or F2
DellF12 or F2
ECSDEL
Gigabyte / AorusDEL or F2
Lenovo (Consumer Laptops)F2 or Fn + F2
Lenovo (Desktops)F1
Lenovo (ThinkPads)Enter then F1
MSIDEL
Microsoft Surface TabletsPress and hold Power and Volume Up buttons
Origin PCF2
SamsungF2
ToshibaF2
ZotacDEL
HPEsc/ F9 for `Boot Menu`/ Esc/ F10/ Storage tab/ Boot Order/ Legacy Boot Sources
INTELF10
how to factory reset hp laptop without password windows 10
Step 4: Select password reset function
After successfully booting from the bootable media, Renee PassNow will load. Select “PassNow!” function after booting from the new created Windows password reset disk.
After loading into main interface, please select the “PassNow!” function.
Step 5: Resetting the Password
Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password. Then, click on the “Clear Password” button. Renee PassNow will remove or reset the password for the selected user account.
Select target Windows system in the list
Select target user account in the list
You may try to use “Create new account” to create a new Administrator account to regain access to your computer. (new account name will be “reneelab” and the password is “123456789″)
Step 6: Reboot the PC
Once the password is reset, remove the bootable media from the PC and restart the computer. You will now be able to log in to Windows Account without a password.
Using Renee PassNow to remove the existing account password is a quick and effective method to factory reset your HP laptop without using a password. However, it does require a working computer and a blank CD/DVD or USB drive to create the password reset disk. If you don’t have access to these resources, you can try the next method.
In this chapter, we learned how to use Renee PassNow to remove the existing account password and regain access to reset options. This method is quick and effective, but it does require another working computer and a blank CD/DVD or USB drive to create the password reset disk.

Method 3: Use Windows 10 Installation Media to Add a New Administrator Account

If you are locked out of your HP laptop and cannot sign in to your account, you can try using a Windows installation disk to reset your password and regain access to your device. This method can be used as an alternative solution to reset your laptop without needing a password.
To use this method, you will need a Windows 10 installation disk. If you do not have one, you can create it using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool on another computer.
Step 1: Insert the Windows installation disk into your HP laptop and restart it. As it boots up, press the boot menu key (usually F12) to enter the boot menu.
If you do not have a Windows Installation media, you may download Windows Installation Creation Tools here:
Windows VersionDownload LinkRequirement
Windows XPhttps://isoriver.com/windows-xp-iso-download/-
Windows 7https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/products/windows-7PC with a working Internet connection/ a blank USB flash drive or DVD with at least 8 GB of available storage space/ a product key
Windows 8/8.1https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows8Same to above
Windows 10https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10Same to above
Windows 11https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11Same to above
Step 2: In the boot menu, select the Windows installation disk as the primary boot device and press Enter.
Step 3: Once the Windows Setup window appears, select your preferences and click the “Next” button to continue.
Step 4: In the next window, click on “Repair your computer” at the bottom left corner.
repair your computer windows 10
Step 5: When the command console appears, type in the following command:

C:

(replace “C” with the drive letter of your Windows installation) and press Enter.
Step 6: Next, type in the following command to navigate to the System32 directory:

cd windows\system32

and press Enter.
Step 7: Now, type in the command

copy cmd.exe utilman.exe

and press Enter. This will make a copy of the utilman.exe file.
Step 8: Then, type in the command

copy cmd.exe cmd2.exe

and press Enter. This will make a copy of the cmd.exe file.
Step 9: Exit the command console by typing

exit

and press Enter.
Step 10: Restart your HP laptop and let it boot up normally. When you reach the sign in screen, click on the “Ease of Access” icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
ease of use button in Windows login screen
Step 11: This will open another command console. Type in the following command to create a new Administrator account:

net user New_User NEW_PASSWORD /add

(replace New_User with the desired username and NEW_PASSWORD with the desired password) and press Enter.
Step 12: You should see a message that says “The command completed successfully“. This means that your new account has been created.
Step 13: Exit the command console and click on the new user account on the sign in screen. You should now be able to log into your HP laptop using the new account and password.
Step 14: Once you have successfully logged in, don’t forget to restore the utilman.exe and cmd.exe files by opening the command console again and typing in the following commands:

copy utilman.exe cmd.exe

and press Enter.

copy cmd2.exe utilman.exe

and press Enter.
Once the files have been restored, you can restart your laptop and log in with your newly created administrator account.
To learn more about resetting HP laptops without a password, you can read our previous topic.
If all self-help options fail or are not available, you can contact HP Customer Support for professional assistance. They may be able to help you reset your laptop without a password or guide you through other solutions.
Pros:
  • Allows you to reset your HP laptop password without needing the original password
  • Can be used as an alternative solution when other methods may not work

Cons:

  • Requires a Windows 10 installation disk
  • Requires some technical knowledge to navigate the command console
  • May require multiple attempts to successfully create a new administrator account

Method 4: Contact HP Customer Support for Professional Assistance

If you are unable to implement the self-help options or if they are not effective, you can always reach out to HP Customer Support for professional assistance. This method should only be used as a last resort, as it may involve additional costs and time.
Before contacting HP Customer Support, make sure you have all the necessary information such as proofs of purchase and ownership. This will help speed up the process and ensure that you are the legitimate owner of the laptop.
1. To contact HP Customer Support, you can reach out through various channels such as phone, email, or live chat. You can find the contact details on HP’s official website (https://support.hp.com/).
2. Once you have contacted HP Customer Support, explain your situation and the issue you are facing with your HP laptop. They will guide you through the process and provide you with a solution.
3. Depending on the severity of the issue, HP Customer Support may ask you to bring your laptop to a local HP store or send it for repair. In some cases, they may also provide you with a temporary solution to unlock your laptop.
Keep in mind that this method may involve additional costs and time, so it is important to consider this before contacting HP Customer Support.
Advantages:If you are not tech-savvy or if all the self-help options fail, you can rely on the expertise of HP Customer Support to help you unlock your HP laptop.
Tips:This method may involve additional costs and time, and it should only be used as a last resort.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a password-locked HP laptop running Windows 10 can be easily restored to factory settings using a variety of methods. These include resetting or changing your Microsoft account password from a web browser, employing Renee PassNow to remove the existing account password, accessing HP Recovery Manager, creating a Windows 10 Installation Media, or seeking assistance from HP Customer Support. Each of these options offers a simple, yet effective solution to bypass the password and safely reset your laptop, without the need for any technical expertise. By following these steps, you can regain access to your HP laptop and start anew with a clean and optimized system. Remember to always have a backup of your important files before performing a factory reset. With these methods, you can unlock your HP laptop and get back to using it with ease.