Last Updated: April 2026
Reset lost Windows passwords with PCUnlocker
Forgetting your Windows password is one of the most stressful experiences a user can have, especially in 2026 where complex requirements are the norm. While most people now use a Microsoft Account or Windows Hello (PIN/Fingerprint) to log in, many still rely on Local Accounts or find themselves locked out of a secondary “Admin” profile. This is where specialized recovery tools become essential.
And when need to remember something of course there will always be a time when you forget the something you needed to remember! Plus having multiple passwords that are increasingly complex makes it easier to forget these passwords. So what happens when you forget the password to your computer and are the only one who logs into it? For most people they panic but if you have some specialized password recovery software handy you don’t have to really worry about it.
This is where the PCUnlocker Windows password reset software comes into play. It’s a user password resetting utility that can reset the password on any Windows user account. It’s really easy to use and gets the job done in only a few minutes.
Before using any password reset utility, it is important to understand the 2026 security environment.
- Microsoft Accounts: If you log in with an email address, tools like PCUnlocker cannot “reset” the password because it is stored on Microsoft’s servers. You must use the “I forgot my password” link on the login screen or another device.
- BitLocker Encryption: Most modern Windows 11 laptops ship with BitLocker turned on by default. If your drive is encrypted, PCUnlocker will not be able to “see” your Windows installation or the SAM file until you provide the BitLocker Recovery Key. However, for Local Offline Accounts, these tools remain the fastest way to regain access.
Here is how it works:
After downloading the ISO, you should use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive. In 2026, most PCs use UEFI instead of the old BIOS. To boot from the USB, you typically need to hold the Shift key while clicking Restart from the login screen, then navigate to Use a device and select your USB drive.
After your computer boots to the PCUnlocker software you will be presented with 3 choices you will have to make. The first is whether you will be unlocking an admin or local user password or if you will be resetting an Active Directory password. For most cases it will be the admin/local user option unless you are on a Windows domain in which case you would most likely have your system administrator reset your password for you.
Next will be to select the SAM registry file and this should be automatically chosen for you and you shouldn’t need to change it. The SAM (Security Accounts Manager) file is a protected database that stores your local credentials. Since Windows protects this file while the OS is running, PCUnlocker uses a WinPE (Windows Preinstallation Environment) to bypass Windows security and modify the file directly. This allows it to clear the “Password” field or promote a standard user to an Administrator. If you are doing this process on a computer that is part of an Active Directory Domain you will have a choice to select the Active Directory database rather than the SAM file.
Finally in step 3 you will need to choose which user account you want to reset the password for. If you have more than one they will be listed here. You might also notice the Administrator account as well which is usually disabled by default. You will also be able to see which accounts are locked out, disabled or have a blank password. If you change your mind and don’t want to reset any passwords simply click on the Restart button to reboot your computer and make sure it’s not set to boot from your CD or USB drive anymore.
Clicking on the options button will give you choices that include Loading IDE, SCSI, SATA or RAID drivers, the ability to mount a virtual drive, launch a command prompt or bypass the Windows password.
Once you select the user you want to reset the password for simply click on the Reset Password button and enter the new password for that user and click OK.
You will see a message saying that the password for that user has been successfully reset and you will click OK to that. Then click the Restart button and boot into Windows normally with your new password and you will be ready to go.
PCUnlocker comes in 3 versions and they are Standard, Professional and Enterprise and here is a listing of what each version has along with their pricing. You can check out PCUnlocker for yourself on their website. You can also check our our online training courses for additional help.
