July 1, 2009

 If you have a password to enter before Windows Vista starts, it would be a good idea to create a password reset disk.  If you were to forget your password, or something were to happen to you and someone else needed to get access to your computer, you should make this disk.  Remember to keep it in a safe place because if anyone has the disk, they can access your computer.  This can also be a major issue in an office where the employees have been allowed to put passwords on their computers.  When the employee leaves, the rest of the office usually doesn't know their password.

To create a reset disk, start Control Panel, then click on Change Your Windows Password.

Now, click on Create a password reset disk in the left pane.  This will bring up the wizard, then click next.

Since most of the newer computers don't have a floppy drive now, the most convenient means to make a password reset disk is to use a flash drive, so make sure to have it plugged in BEFORE running the wizard.  The wizard is straight forward, so use it to create the disk.

Should the occasion arise and you need to use the reset disk, follow these steps to reset the Windows password.

In the Windows Vista logon window, click Reset Password.

Put the Password Reset media in the applicable media drive, and then click Next in the Reset Password Wizard.

In the The password key disk is in the following drive list, click the drive in which the password reset disk is located, and then click Next.

In the Type a new password box, type the new password that you want to use for the user account.

In the Type the password again to confirm box, type the password again.

In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint that will remind you of the password if you forget it.

Click Next, and then click Finish. Use the new password to log on to Windows Vista.