Factory Reset Windows 10 Without Password | Boot & Recovery Methods

If you’ve forgotten the admin password or need to reset a Windows 10 computer to factory settings without accessing settings, don’t worry—you can still perform a factory reset. In this guide, we’ll walk through multiple methods to reset Windows 10 to factory settings, even without an admin password.

Method 1: Reset Windows 10 Without Admin Password Using the Recovery Environment

If you’re locked out of your Windows 10 account because you forgot the admin password, one of the most effective ways to reset your PC is by using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Here’s how:

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Restart the Computer: Turn off your PC, then turn it back on. As soon as it starts booting, press the F11 key (or Esc followed by F11) repeatedly to access the Advanced Startup Options. On some PCs, you might need to press Shift + F8 instead.
2. Access the Troubleshoot Menu: In the Advanced Startup Options screen, select Troubleshoot.
3. Select “Reset This PC”: Choose Reset this PC. Here, you will be given two options:
   • Keep my files (Removes apps and settings but keeps personal files).
   • Remove everything (Completely erases all files, apps, and settings).
4. Choose an Option: Since you’re resetting without an admin password, it’s recommended to choose Remove everything for a complete factory reset.
5. Select a Drive: You’ll then be asked if you want to clean only the drive where Windows is installed or all drives. Choose the appropriate option based on your preference.
6. Begin the Reset: Click Reset. Your PC will restart several times during the process. Once it’s done, Windows 10 will be reset to factory settings without requiring an admin password.

---

Method 2: Factory Reset Windows 10 Without Password Using Installation Media (from Boot)

If you’re unable to access the system settings and want to reset Windows 10 from boot, using a Windows 10 installation media is another reliable solution.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Create Windows 10 Installation Media: You will need a USB drive (minimum 8GB) and access to another working computer. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website and follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive.
2. Boot from the Installation Media: Insert the USB drive into the locked PC and restart it. While the PC is booting up, press the key to access the Boot Menu (usually F12, Esc, or Del depending on your device). Select the USB drive to boot from.
3. Select Language and Region: Once the Windows setup screen appears, choose your preferred language, time format, and keyboard method, then click Next.
4. Repair Your Computer: At the bottom left of the window, click Repair your computer instead of installing Windows.
5. Go to Troubleshoot: Similar to Method 1, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
6. Follow Reset Options: From here, you can proceed with resetting your PC by following the options to remove everything and reset Windows.

---

Method 3: Reset Windows 10 to Factory Settings Without Password via Safe Mode

Safe Mode provides a minimal version of Windows and may help you perform a factory reset without needing the password.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Enter Safe Mode: Press the Power button while holding the Shift key. This will open the Advanced Startup menu.
2. Navigate to Advanced Startup: Once in the Advanced Startup menu, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. Select Safe Mode: After the computer restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.
4. Reset in Safe Mode: Once in Safe Mode, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC and follow the prompts.

---

Method 4: Factory Reset Windows 10 from Command Prompt Without Password

The Command Prompt can also be used to factory reset Windows 10 without an admin password.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Access the Advanced Startup Options: As with the previous methods, restart your PC and press F11 to access the Advanced Startup menu.
2. Open Command Prompt: Select Troubleshoot, then go to Advanced Options and choose Command Prompt.
3. Run the Reset Command: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:
   systemreset –factoryreset
   
4. Complete the Reset: Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your computer.

---

Conclusion

Resetting a Windows 10 computer to factory settings without an admin password is entirely possible using various methods. Whether you choose to reset through the Windows Recovery Environment, installation media, Safe Mode, or Command Prompt, these techniques will help you restore your PC to its original state without requiring a password.

Remember, resetting will erase all personal data, so back up important files beforehand if you can.