Many Windows 7 users are familiar at how to add a password to stop unauthorized users from accessing their confidential computer data. But few users will know what to do when it comes to a forgotten Windows password. Here are 4 effective Windows 7 password recovery methods you can use if you forgot the password and cannot access your computer.
Method 1. Rekeysoft Windows Password Recovery
Rekeysoft Windows Password Recovery is an easy, safe and reliable Windows password recovery tool. Instead of recovering your lost Windows 7 password, it will enable you to create a password reset disk to reset the forgotten password. So you can regain access to your Windows 7 computer. These solutions can be applied to various situations. You could reset the lost password in just 4 steps.
Step 1. Download and install the software in any accessible computer.
Step 2. Create a password reset disk by using a CD or USB flash drive.
Step 3. Insert the disk into the locked computer and boot the computer from the disk.
Step 4. Reset the password under Win PE. It will take effect after restart.
This software use graphical user interface. it is easy-to-use and no computer skills required. Irrespective of the password length and complexity, you could regain access to your computer instantly.
Method 2. Windows 7 Password Reset Disk
Creating password reset disk is a built-in feature of Windows 7 system, which allows users to create a password reset disk by using an USB memory stick to in case of a lost or forgotten Windows 7 password. It is a precautionary measure. Provided that you have a password reset disk at hand, you can follow the below instructions to reset the password.
Step 1. At the Windows logon screen, click Reset password.
Step 2. Insert the password reset disk into the computer.
Step 3. Follow the instructions on-screen to create a new password.
Step 4. Log onto the account using your new password.
This method is a free solution provided by Windows 7 system. But please note that this method is only available when you had created a password reset disk in advance.
Method 3. Safe Mode
Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers helps you to diagnose and troubleshoot various computer problems. When you forgot Windows 7 password, you can also prefer safe mode to fix this problem.
Step 1. Start the computer.
Step 2. Tap F8 during startup until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
Step 3. Select Safe Mode on the Windows Advanced Options menu.
Step 4. Log in safe mode as a user with administrative rights.
Step 5. Click Start, pop up the Run box, and then enter "control userpasswords2" on it, press Enter.
Step 6. On the coming up Users tab, pick the user account and then reset the password.
This is a free and easy solution. The operations can be finished in minutes. But an administrator password is required to enter safe mode in Windows 7.
Method 4. Ophcarck
Ophcrack is the most popular free password crack software based on rainbow tables. It is a very efficient implementation of rainbow tables done by the inventors of the method. You could use this software to recover the Windows 7 password.
Step 1. Run Ophcrack and set the number of threads.
Step 2. Load hashes using the Load button.
Step 3. Delete with the Delete button every user account you are not interested in.
Step 4. Install, enable and sort wisely the rainbow tables your are going to use.
Step 5. Click on the Crack button to start the cracking process.
Ophcrack is free Windows password recovery software. You could use this Windows 7 password recovery tool to recover the lost password. But its 496MB Windows 7 LiveCD ISO image will take you much time to download and the password that is greater than 14 characters cannot be cracked.