How to Reset HP Laptop Forgotten Password on Windows 10/8/7

If you want to know how to reset password on HP laptop without disk, this post is for you! HP has distinct security drivers that allow you to choose a strong and secure password to protect your laptop from unauthorized access and prying eyes.

Of course, it is always nice to have such security measures installed on your laptop. However, the problem may arise when the device asks you for a strong security password, and you are not good at remembering them. This gets you into a very finicky and pedantic mode since you cannot enter and access your precious data like music, videos, and documents without the right password.

On the other hand, HP service centers can help you gain access to your laptop by re-installing the OS. However, this also means that every document and file you have on your laptop will be removed completely. Basically, it might do more damage than good.

In this article below, we will go through some methods on how to reset password on HP laptop without disk.

Option 1. Reset HP Laptop Password with Reset Disk

Most people tend to look for the answer to “how to reset administrator password on HP laptop”; perhaps, they have no clue that an excellent method of resetting lost passwords is using a password reset disk.

With the help of a password reset disk, you can easily unlock an HP laptop without spending a lot of time. However, the password reset disk needs to be created while you have access to your laptop; it cannot be created once you are locked out.

This laptop password reset method is useable and valid for every Windows operating system, like Windows 10, 9, 7, Vista, and XP.

To know how to reset password on HP laptop with Reset Disk, you first need to enter the incorrect password; this will generate a wrong input message. While the situation might be frustrating and confusing, you should not lose your nerve and keep pressing OK.

Soon, you will see the “Reset Password” option.

Wait for a while, and the Password Reset Wizard will appear on your screen. Now, tap on “Next.” 

Insert your reset disk into your locked HP laptop and choose it from the list.

You can then set a new password to type in the next time you log in.

Tap on “Next” and then on “Finish.”

Option 2. Reset Password on HP Laptop without Disk

There is another choice for you to reset the password of your HP laptop. There are several methods and techniques that do not involve a password reset disk. Hence, if you possess no such reset disks, you can try other ways out of your lost password problem.

Thankfully, there are several other ways if you want to know how to reset password on HP laptop Windows 10 without a password reset disk.

Method 1. Reset HP Laptop without Disk via HP Recovery Manager

If you are an HP laptop user, you have an edge in recovering your forgotten password because HP provides its users with a unique password reset method that only applies to HP laptops. So that’s great news, and luckily if you forgot the password of an HP laptop, then there is no need to try any other methods; HP Recovery Manager can solve your password problem in minutes.

HP Recovery Manager is a powerful tool with several purposes other than Windows password reset, but you can also use it to recover your lost Windows password.

The only limitation of this utility is the way it works. Since it removes the Windows 7/8/10 password by completely erasing the primary disk, the whole of your documents, files, and media on that device will be removed. If you are OK then you may proceed with this method.

1.1. Reset HP Laptop Password Windows 7 with HP Recovery Manager

Follow these basic steps to reset your Windows 7 HP laptop password.

Step 1. Shut down your Windows 7 HP laptop.

Step 2. Detach all the peripheral devices except the HP laptop’s monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. Remove all recently added internal hardware or media from internal drives.

Step 3. After this, start your laptop and repeatedly press the F11 key until you see a screen with the HP Recovery Manager option.

Step 4. You can find a System Recovery option under I need help immediately; click on it.

Step 5. A prompt message will appear, reminding you to back up your important files first. Select a backup option.

To create a backup of your data, select Back up your files first (recommended), and then click Next.

You can also choose to Recover without backing up your files if you are sure you have already backed up your important files. Click on Next.

Step 6. Select the file types you want to create a backup and click Next.

Step 7. Wait for a while Recovery Manager will scan your laptop for storage devices. Select the storage device to keep the backup, and click on Next.

Step 8. When backing up your files is finished, detach the backup disk or storage device, and hit the Next option to continue with the recovery process.

Step 9. A confirmation warning will appear; simply click OK.

Step 10. Click Finish to reboot your HP laptop after the system recovery process is completed successfully. Setup screens will appear, go on with them and complete the setup of your HP laptop.

Switch off the laptop, reconnect all devices and cables detached before starting the procedure, and restart the laptop again.

Reinstall your software that was installed before the system recovery process. That is how you can reset Windows 7 password without disk on HP laptop.

1.2. Reset Windows 8/10 Password with HP Recovery Manager

Follow the steps below to reset your HP laptop Windows 10/8.1/8 to its factory settings without a password using HP Recovery Manager.

Step 1. Turn on or reboot your HP laptop with Windows 10/8 and repeatedly press the F11 key on your keyboard until the “Choose an option” screen appears. Click on “Troubleshoot”.

Step 2. Select “Recovery Manager”.

Step 3. It will open a Recovery Manager program; click on the “System Recovery” option.

Step 4. You can choose two options from here:

• Back up your files first
• Recover without backing up your files.

Choose one of both and click on Next.

If you select back up your files option, follow the on-screen instructions to select the methods to back up your files.

You can back up your files not only to the computer hard drive but also to an external drive such as a USB or CD/DVD disk. I highly recommend you to back up your complete data to an external device.

Step 5. Detach the backup device when the backup is finished and click on Next to prepare the recovery.

Step 6. Click on the Continue button to start the recovery process.

Step 7. Once your HP laptop factory reset is completed, click on Finish to reboot your hp laptop.

Set up your laptop and restore the files you backed up. Moreover, reinstall the software that you need. Your HP laptop is reset to its default factory settings without password.

Method 2. Reset HP Laptop without Password via Windows Password Recovery

PassFab 4WinKey is a great option to recover your forgotten Windows password. It has all the qualities you want in a good password resetting tool. The tool will offer you the most powerful, safest, and simplest solution to unlock your computer. In addition to recovering your Windows account password within a few minutes, you do not have to reinstall or reformat your system.

As a reliable Windows password recovery program, the interface is simple to understand and use, making it perfect even for non-technical people.

If you are looking for an answer on how to reset my HP laptop password, then PassFab 4WinKey is the answer. We have also reviewed PassFab 4WinKey here.

Part 1: Creating the Password Reset Disk

For this method to work, you will have to download the PassFab 4WinKey tool from the official website on a different laptop or computer, install, and then run it. In the next window, you will have to choose a boot media, either “USB Flash Drive” or “CD/DVD,” that will be converted into a password reset disk. Here, we will choose the USB option. Then, click on “Next.”

The program will then warn you that all the files on your CD, DVD, or USB will be removed permanently. Here, you need to click on “Next.”

After this, the program will start the burning process in the bootable disk. The process will take a few seconds to complete and burn your USB flash drive, DVD, or CD.

Part 2: Booting Windows System from the Reset Disk

Once your reset disk is ready, you need to insert it into your password-locked HP laptop and restart it. Then, you need to tap on “ESC” or “F12” continuously, which will open up the Boot menu.

Here, you will find a list of boot choices. You need to select the USB or CD/DVD drive using the arrow keys and press “Enter.” to save and exit the boot menu and reboot your laptop.

Part 3: Resetting your HP laptop password

Once your laptop has rebooted, the program will start running. In the first window, you need to choose a Windows system.

Then, choose a user account and select “Reset Account Password” after that, enter the new password in the space provided and tap on “Next.”

Once you have entered the new password, tap on “Reset”, and your laptop’s password will change to the one you entered moments ago. Once the resetting process is completed, you need to hit the “Reboot” button, and your laptop will restart.

 You can use your new password to log into the Windows system.

Method 3. Reset HP Laptop Password with an Installation Disk

Resetting the password of your HP laptop with an installation disk is another great method if you want to know how to reset password on HP laptop Windows 7. Most people might not be familiar with the process since it requires you to have a deep understanding of commands. If you do not know about the same, this method might be risky for you.

Step to Reset HP Laptop Password Windows 7/8/10 with Installation Disk

To start the password reset process, you need to create a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD for your Windows version on another laptop or computer. Once you make it bootable, you need to insert the drive into your locked HP laptop and tap on “Reboot.” Next, you will see a “press any key to continue” message; press any key for the next step. You will see a GUI of Windows installation where you have to tap on “Next.”

Select the “Repair your computer” option.

The setup will then direct you to the location where the OS has been installed. Confirm by tapping on “Next.” 

Step 6. In this step, we will make a copy of “sethc.exe” file in order to be able to undo this process later if something went wrong. Type the following command on your cmd screen to make a copy of this file to C: \ directory:

You will see several system recovery options of your screen; you need to tap on Command Prompt.

Here, you first need to make of copy of “sethc.exe” file as a backup in case something goes wrong. To do this, you need to type in the command:

copy C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe C:\

Next, you have to replace the “sethc.exe” file with the “cmd.exe” file, by using the command:

copy /y C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe

Type “Exit” to close the command line and detach the bootable device from your laptop. Restart the device and hit the “Shift” button five times when the Windows login screen is being displayed.

To set a new password for your laptop, you need to enter the following command:

net user <username> <new pasword>

Then, you need to insert the USB drive into your laptop once again and re-enter the prompt line to restore the original state of the copied “sethc.exe” file of the lock function to its default location. To do this, type in the command:

copy /y C:\sethc.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe

That’s it, exit the CLI and reboot your HP laptop to login to your Windows with the new password.

Once done, you can successfully reset the password of your HP Windows laptop.

Conclusion:

With the help of the methods mentioned above, you will be able to reset the forgotten password of your HP laptop with minimum hassles. Additionally, your data and files will not be lost and will save you a lot of time and money from visiting an HP service store.