How to Reset Local Account Password using CMD🔥

Updated by

Shelly 

Updated on Feb 15, 2026

Forgetting your Windows 10 local account password can lock you out of your PC, but Command Prompt (CMD) provides a built-in way to reset it without reinstalling Windows. If you have access to another administrator account, you can open an elevated Command Prompt and use the net user command to quickly change the password.

If you can't log in at all, you can launch Command Prompt from Windows installation media and reset the local account password before reaching the login screen. Please read this post from EaseUS Software to solve this issue!

Method 1. Reset Local Account Password using CMD

Resetting a Windows 10 password via Command Prompt (CMD) can be helpful if you've forgotten your password. However, this method requires administrative privileges. Before proceeding with the steps, ensure you have administrator access. Below are the steps to reset your password using Command Prompt, along with some critical considerations.

Step 1. Type cmd in the search bar > select Run as administrator to open the Command Prompt window.

Step 2. Once the Command Prompt opens, ensure you are logged in with administrative privileges. If you are unsure, run the following command to enable the hidden admin account.

• net user Administrator /active: yes 

Step 3. Then, type net user [Username] [NewPassword], and then hit "Enter."

Step 4. Replace [Username] with the actual name of the account you need to update and [NewPassword] with your new password.

Step 5. After resetting your password, restart your computer and log in with the new password.

Method 2. Reset Local Account Password Easily🔥

If you see the error "System error 5 has occurred. Access is denied" when using the net user command, it usually means you lack administrator rights. In this case, you can switch to a simpler and more reliable method to reset your Windows password without complex commands.

EaseUS Partition Master offers a built-in Password Reset feature designed for users who forget their Windows password or PIN. With its user-friendly interface, you can create a bootable USB and quickly regain access to your computer—no advanced technical skills required.

Step 1. Insert the target USB disk into the computer, download and run EaseUS Partition Master, and click "Toolkit" > "Password Reset."

Step 2. A small window will pop up. After reading it carefully, click "Create".

Step 3. Select the correct USB flash drive or external mobile hard disk and click "Create" again. Wait patiently. After the password reset USB flash drive is created, click "Finish."

Step 4. Remove the password reset USB, insert it into the locked PC, and restart. You will be asked to change the boot drive to boot the PC from USB. Once completed, the system will automatically boot from USB.

Step 5. After restarting, find EaseUS Partition Master again and go to "Password Reset." All accounts on the PC will be displayed in the interface; click on the target account and check "Reset & Unlock."

Step 6. When you receive this prompt, click "Confirm" to continue. Your password will be erased.

Conclusion 

How to reset local account password using CMD?  is an effective way to regain access without reinstalling the system. By using the built-in net user command with administrator privileges, you can quickly reset the password and unlock your PC. If you do not have technical steps, you can try another third-party tool, EaseUS Partition Master, to reset your local account. 

Reset Windows 10 Password using CMD FAQs.

1. Do I need administrator rights to reset a password with CMD?

Yes, you do. You must run Command Prompt as an administrator; otherwise, you may see errors like "System error 5 has occurred. Access is denied."

2. Can I reset a password if I can't log into Windows?

Yes. You can access Command Prompt through Windows Recovery or installation media to reset the local account password before reaching the login screen.

3. What should I do if the "net user" command doesn't work?

Make sure you entered the correct username and ran CMD as an administrator. Also, confirm that the account is a local account, not a Microsoft account.