How to Use Tenorshare Windows Password Reset Standard: Step‑by‑StepLosing access to a Windows user account can be stressful. Tenorshare Windows Password Reset Standard is a tool designed to help you regain access to local and Microsoft accounts by creating a bootable password reset disk and removing or resetting the account password. This guide walks you through each step, from preparation to finishing the reset, and includes tips, troubleshooting, and safety considerations.
What this tool does (quick facts)
- It creates a bootable USB/CD/DVD that lets you reset or remove Windows account passwords.
- It supports local Windows accounts and some Microsoft accounts (depending on system and Windows version).
- It does not recover the original password; it resets or removes it so you can sign in.
What you’ll need
- A working computer with internet access.
- A blank USB flash drive (recommended) or a blank CD/DVD. USB is faster and easier. Minimum 1 GB free (2 GB recommended).
- The locked Windows PC (target machine).
- A valid licence for Tenorshare Windows Password Reset Standard (trial version may have limitations).
- Basic familiarity with booting from USB and changing BIOS/UEFI settings.
Step 1 — Download and install Tenorshare Windows Password Reset Standard
- On a working PC, go to Tenorshare’s official site and download the Windows Password Reset Standard installer.
- Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to install the application.
- Launch the program after installation.
Step 2 — Create a bootable password reset disk
- Insert the blank USB flash drive into the working computer.
- In the Tenorshare program, choose the media type (USB or CD/DVD). USB is recommended.
- Select the inserted USB drive from the device list. Double-check the drive letter to avoid erasing the wrong drive.
- Click “Burn” or “Create” (wording may vary). The program will format the drive and copy boot files to it. Wait until the process completes and you see confirmation that the bootable password reset disk was created.
Tip: If the program reports an error while burning, reformat the USB as FAT32 and try again, or use a different USB port or drive.
Step 3 — Boot the locked computer from the USB/CD
- Insert the created USB drive into the locked computer.
- Power on (or restart) the computer and enter the boot menu or BIOS/UEFI settings. Common keys: F2, F8, F10, F12, Esc, or Delete — check the manufacturer’s prompt at startup.
- From the boot menu, select the USB drive (or optical drive) as the boot device. If necessary, temporarily disable Secure Boot in UEFI settings and enable Legacy/CSM mode (some older tools require this).
- Save changes (if any) and continue to boot from the USB.
If the computer bypasses the USB, recheck the boot order or use the one-time boot menu key.
Step 4 — Use the Tenorshare interface to select the Windows installation and account
- After booting, Tenorshare’s password reset environment will load (a simple GUI).
- The program will list detected Windows installations on the machine. Select the correct Windows version (usually only one).
- A list of user accounts on that Windows installation will appear. Identify the account you need to reset—local accounts often show the username; Microsoft accounts may show the email address.
Step 5 — Reset, remove, or create a new admin user
Tenorshare typically offers several actions:
- Reset/Delete Password: Removes or clears the password for the selected account so you can sign in without a password or set a new one from inside Windows.
- Create New Admin/User: Some editions let you create a new local administrator account to regain access without touching existing accounts.
- Unlock/Modify Account: Options may include enabling disabled accounts or removing Microsoft account linkage (dependent on version).
Choose the appropriate action:
- To regain immediate access, select “Reset Password” (or similar) and confirm.
- To create a new admin, choose “Create Admin” and supply a username (and sometimes a password).
Wait for the operation to complete; confirmation will appear in the tool.
Step 6 — Remove media and reboot
- Close the Tenorshare environment and shut down the computer (or select “Reboot”).
- Remove the USB drive (or CD/DVD).
- Power the computer back on and sign in to the account. If the password was cleared, simply press Enter; if you created a new admin, sign in with that new account.
Troubleshooting & tips
- If Windows starts to automatic repair or tries to repair boot, interrupt and re-enter BIOS/UEFI to ensure USB is removed and internal disk is first in boot order.
- If Secure Boot prevents booting from the USB, disable Secure Boot in UEFI temporarily. Re-enable it after recovery if desired.
- For Microsoft accounts tied to online credentials, resetting the local password may not affect cloud-synced credentials; you might need to switch the account to a local account or sign in using a new local admin and then change account settings.
- If the target machine uses BitLocker and the system drive is encrypted, you’ll need the BitLocker recovery key to access data; password reset tools can’t bypass strong disk encryption.
- Keep a backup of important data before attempting any recovery actions whenever possible.
Safety, legality, and ethical considerations
- Use this tool only on systems you own or have explicit permission to modify. Unlocking or accessing computers without authorization may be illegal.
- Resetting passwords can affect user profiles and encrypted files (EFS). Data tied to the previous password may become inaccessible. If encrypted data exists, ensure you have necessary recovery keys.
Alternatives and when to choose them
- Reinstall Windows if you have no backups and access isn’t recoverable (data loss risk).
- Use built-in Microsoft account recovery for online accounts when applicable.
- If BitLocker is enabled, locate the recovery key (often stored in the user’s Microsoft account or printed/safeguarded elsewhere) before proceeding with other methods.
Comparison (quick):
Situation | Recommended approach |
---|---|
Local account password forgotten, no disk encryption | Tenorshare or similar reset tool |
Microsoft account forgotten | Try Microsoft’s online recovery first |
BitLocker enabled | Retrieve BitLocker recovery key |
Suspected unauthorized access / legal constraints | Contact owner or IT / law enforcement |
Final notes
Tenorshare Windows Password Reset Standard is a practical solution for regaining access to locked Windows accounts when used correctly and legally. Always read the tool’s documentation for version-specific features and keep backups of important data.
If you want, I can: provide a brief checklist you can print and follow at each step, or tailor instructions specifically for Windows ⁄11 or for UEFI vs legacy BIOS systems. Which would you prefer?
Leave a Reply