You have just recovered a PC running under Windows, but impossible to access it, since it is locked by a password that you do not have. Rest assured, there is a little trick to factory reset it.
You have just bought a second-hand PC or a loved one has generously donated a PC that he no longer uses. Good news but, small problem: the machine already has a user account and is locked by a password corresponding to the session. And no one remembers or knows about it. No need to store the device in the back of a closet. On the one hand, you can always refurbish it by installing a new Windows from a bootable USB key (see our practical sheet). On the other hand, even if you don’t have a copy of Windows – in the form of an ISO file, for example – you can always reset it completely to the factory state, as it was in origin, out of the box.
You can carry out the operation in the classic way (see our practical sheet), but Windows also allows you to reset the PC to zero even if you have not the slightest idea of the password which blocks access to it, using the rescue version of the system which is kept on a hidden partition. And you don’t need to enter a single command line! Of course, at the end of the operation, all personal data and applications installed on the PC will be erased to leave only what was there originally, and you will have to make updates to find a perfectly functional Windows. But handling is very simple, and it works with PCs running Windows 11, Windows 10 and even Windows 8.1, as we have seen.
How to factory reset PC without password?
You want to reset a PC but you are stuck in front of the screen requiring a sesame to unlock the user account? This little trick won’t get you out of this mess.
► Switch on the PC. When the login screen, click the power button at the bottom right of the screen. Hold down Shift (Where Shift) on the keyboard, hold down and click To restart. Press the key until the PC restarts and displays the Windows logo and the mention Wait…
► The screen then displays the various possible start-up options on a blue background. Click on Repair.
► In the next window, choose Reset this PC.
► Then select the option Delete all so that there is no trace of the previous user of the machine.
► You then have the choice of repatriating a version of Windows from the Microsoft servers (you must then have an Internet connection) or using the one present on the PC. This second option is faster and also allows you to recover the PC to its original state, ie with the drivers and software installed by the manufacturer.
► Finally, choose to Clean the drive so that no trace of the previous user remains.
► Windows displays a summary of your choices. Click on Reset.
► When the PC is reset, Windows starts. Now all you have to do is set it up as if you just turned on the computer for the first time.
