How to Reset Dell Laptop Forgot Password with/without Disk

Forgot the Dell laptop password and cannot log in? Learn all the ways to reset your Dell laptop password. In this guide, we have mentioned multiple solutions. So regardless of whether you have a Password Reset Disk, you can bypass the password on a Dell laptop and regain access to your user account.

Whether you have an XPS, G Series, Vostro, Inspiron, or Alienware model of Dell, as long as it is running on Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11) — you will find a solution to reset the forgotten password in this guide. Scroll down to learn how to unlock your Dell laptop.

How To Bypass Password on Dell Laptop with Disk?

This section will explain how to reset the Dell laptop password with a specifically created disk, like a Password Reset Disk, installation media, or a universal Password Reset Disk. Regardless of your chosen method, all the data on the Dell laptop will be safe.

Method 1: How To Reset Dell Laptop Password with Password Reset Disk?

The easiest way to unlock the Dell laptop password is to use a Password Reset Disk. A bypass method suggested by Microsoft itself, a Password Reset Disk, allows you to access the local account on the locked Dell laptop by resetting it.

Here’s How to Reset your Dell Laptop Password with Password Reset Disk:

Step 1. Insert the Password Reset Disk if you have created one for the user account.

• Turn on the computer. Enter the password 3-4 times (any characters would do).
• When you cannot log in, you will see a new option on the login page: Use a password reset disk instead. Click on it.
• On the new pop-up menu, click on Next to proceed.

• Select the inserted USB drive and click on Next.

Step 2. Create a new password.

• On the next page, type a new password.
• Reenter the password to confirm it.
• Click on Next to move.

• You will now see the login screen. Type the created password.
• Tap the Enter key.

Voila! That’s how simple it is to reset the Dell laptop password if you have created a Password Reset Disk beforehand.

Things to Keep in Mind About Password Reset Disk:

• You can only use this method to reset your password if you have created a Password Reset Disk before itself.
• The Reset Disk is only valid for the user accounts it was made. You cannot use a Password Reset Disk created for other user accounts on a different Windows computer or the same Dell laptop.
• Given that you can store the .psw file of multiple user accounts (either on the same computer or a different one) ensure to move the other .psw files before using them to reset your user account password on the Dell laptop.

Even if you haven’t created a Password Reset, don’t worry! As there are other ways to bypass passwords on Dell laptops.

The following method in this guide, using a Windows password recovery tool, allows you to create a universal Password Reset Disk (even when locked out of the Dell laptop).

Method 2: Reset Dell Laptop Forgot Password with Windows Password Recovery

PassFab 4WinKey is a third-party Windows password recovery tool that allows you to reset the Dell laptop password without any prerequisites. It is capable of removing all types of administrator or user passwords. Plus, it supports all brands of desktops and laptops, such as HP, Acer, Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, etc.

It also supports all Windows versions, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and Windows Server. , and charges you different rates for removing different password types (admin, standard, Domain), so you do not have to pay for features you’ll not be using. Another notable characteristic of PassFab 4WinKey is it does not cause any data loss, and recovery is instant.

Here’s How to Bypass the Password on Dell Laptop using PassFab 4WinKey:

Note: You will need a USB drive (or CD/DVD) and another computer (Mac or Windows) to create a Universal Password Reset Disk.

Step 1. Create a Password Reset Disk for your locked Dell laptop.

>> Get PassFab 4WinKey <<

• Download and Install the PassFab 4WinKey on another computer.
• Click on Start to create a Password Reset Disk.
• Choose the name of the inserted drive.
• Click on Next.

• 4WinKey will burn the USB flash drive and copy the ISO image package. It will take a few seconds.
• Once the boot disk has been made, click on Next to proceed.
• Eject the USB drive.

Step 2. Boot the locked Dell laptop using the burned USB (or CD/DVD).

• Insert the burned USB drive (or CD/DVD) into the locked Dell laptop.
• Turn on the computer. Press F12 repeatedly when you see the Dell logo. (On some Inspiron models — the boot key is F2). This will take you to the Boot menu.
• On the Boot menu options, change the Boot priorities and allow the Dell laptop to boot via the inserted USB drive (or CD/DVD).
• Save the changes and choose Exit to reboot the Dell laptop.

Step 3. Remove the Login password on Dell laptop.

• Once the Dell laptop restarts, you will see the 4WinKey interface.
• Choose the Windows system and click on Next.

• Select Remove Account Password.
• And click on the username that you’re locked out of on the Dell laptop.
• Click on Next.

• Click on Reboot to proceed.

That’s how simple it is to bypass passwords on Dell laptops using PassFab 4WinKey.

After the Dell laptop reboots, you do not have to enter any password. To ensure the security of your account, create a new password. Please write it down, so you don’t forget it again.

Method 3: Unlock Dell Laptop with Installation Disk

If you have the Windows installation disk, you can tweak it and launch an elevated Command Prompt.

Unlike the Password Reset Disk, you can create an installation disk even when locked off your own Dell laptop (via another computer).

Here’s How to Unlock Dell Laptop With Installation Disk:

I personally do not recommend this method if you are not a technophile or looking for a quick way to bypass passwords on the Dell laptop. This method is complicated and takes time. One wrong character in the command, and you have to repeat the entire process.

Step 1. Boot the Windows computer.

After creating the Installation disk via another computer, insert the USB flash drive into your locked Dell laptop.

Turn on the computer. Press F12/F2 repeatedly when you see the Dell logo.

On the boot menu, choose Boot from your Installation media. Save the configuration and wait for the Dell laptop to reboot via the new installation media.

Step 2. Launch Elevated Command Prompt.

After the Dell laptop boots via the installation media, you will see the Initial Windows Setup. Press Shift+F10 to launch the elevated Command Prompt.

Step 3. Discover the drive on which the Windows Installation partition is stored on the Dell laptop.

Usually, the Windows installation partition is stored on C: drive. Type in the following command to change the current directory of the Command Prompt:

cd /d C:

If you see a message saying: “The system cannot find the drive,” it means the partition is stored on another drive. So, use another letter like “D:” to access the right drive.

Once you find the right drive, you will not see any new messages on the Command Prompt. So, that’s a confirmation when you find the right partition on which Windows Installation is stored.

Step 4. Replace the Ease of Access menu with Command Prompt on the login screen.

Type in the following command:

move d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak

Press Enter to continue.

You will see a confirmation saying: 1 file (s) moved.

Type in the following command:

copy d:\windows\system32\cmd.exe d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Press Enter to continue.

You will see a confirmation saying: 1 file (s) copied.

These commands replace the Ease of Access center menu with an elevated command prompt on the login screen.

Step 5. Reboot the Dell laptop.

Type in the following command after you see the above messages. The following command reboots the Dell laptop.

wpeutil reboot

Step 6. Change the forgotten Dell laptop password.

Once the Dell laptop reboots, click on the Ease of Access center icon on the login screen. (Or Press the Shift key five times to launch the elevated Command Prompt.

Type in the following command:

net user username password

Press Enter to continue.

You will see a new message on the command prompt saying: The command was completed successfully.

Step 7. Unlock the Dell laptop using the new password.

Close the command prompt.

Use the new password to unlock the Dell laptop.

That’s how to bypass the password on the Dell laptop using the installation disk. As indicated, this method to unlock the Dell laptop is quite complicated. Still, if you think — it is manageable, you can give it a shot.

Also, the Ease of Access center on the login screen is now replaced with the Command Prompt. You must follow all the above methods and use a new command — move d:\utilman.exe d:\Windows\system32\utilman.exe — on the installation media screen to replace the Command Prompt with the Ease of Access menu.

Reset Dell Laptop Password without Disk

All the above methods require you to have some kind of disk and take the help of another computer. However, there are also ways to reset Dell laptop passwords without disk. Follow on to learn how to reset your Dell laptop password without disk.

Method 1. Reset Dell Laptop Forgot Password with Microsoft Account

If you use Windows 8, 10, or 11 and have created a Microsoft account to log in, you’re in luck. All you have to do is go to the Recover your account page and follow the instructions to reset your Dell laptop forgotten password.

After creating the new password, use it on the login page of the Dell laptop to enter the locked account.

Things to Keep in Mind When Using the Microsoft Account to Reset Dell Laptop Password:

Ensure to connect the locked Dell laptop to a WiFi network.

Change the login password via Command Prompt once you enter the Dell laptop. This is important as it will help you log in to the Dell laptop even when you’re not connected to a network.

Method 2. Reset Dell Laptop without Password by Factory Reset

Factory Reset means you remove all data and reset the Dell laptop to the factory settings. So, opting for a Factory reset will get rid of all Settings, files, and applications on the Dell laptop along with the admin password.

Step 1. Go to the Troubleshoot page on the locked Dell laptop.

Turn On the Dell laptop. Press and Hold the Shift key while choosing the Restart option on the login screen.

Windows will now take you to the Troubleshooting options.

Click on Troubleshoot from the list of options.

Step 2. Factory Reset the Dell laptop.

Under the Troubleshoot options, choose Reset your PC.

On the next page, you will see two options: Keep my files and Remove everything.

Choose to Remove everything to factory reset the Dell laptop.

Your Dell laptop will restart several times during the factory reset process. Wait until the process is completed. After the factory reset is completed, the Dell laptop will be restored to factory settings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dell Laptop Password Reset

1. How to Create a Password Reset Disk?

Note: You cannot create a Password Reset Disk on the computer connected to Microsoft accounts.

To create a Password Reset Disk on Windows:

• Insert a USB flash drive.
• Open Control Panel.
• Search for “create password reset.”
• Choose to Create a password reset disk.
• Follow the on-screen activities.

2. How to Create Security Questions And Bypass Passwords on Dell Laptops in the Future?

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
• Select the option for Password.
• Click Update your security questions.
• Create the security questions.

Note down the answers and questions for future reference. Whenever you forget your Dell laptop password, enter the Security questions to unlock the device.

Conclusion

The idea of this guide is to make the process of resetting Dell laptop passwords more transparent and efficient. Hopefully, this guide does that. Regardless of your chosen method, if you have followed the steps carefully, you must now fully access the locked user account on your Dell laptop.