How to Reset Locked Computer of Windows 10 – 3 Ways Included

User Case

“Hello everyone. I need some help. We work and sell Windows computers. But after the latest update, something has changed due to a factory reset. We have some customers who are returning computers with an account and password on them. My question for 2021 is: How can I do a factory reset of Windows 10 without using my account password? After the reset, we want the account to be deleted so the computer can boot as new. I hope someone can help me.”

For different reasons, there are cases where users forget their login passwords. Some are not used for a long time, so they forget computer password of Windows 10. So they want to know if they can reset a locked Windows 10 computer. This article provides you with three ways to reset a locked computer. Keep reading for detailed steps.

3 Ways to Reset Locked Computer of Windows 10

The first two methods are using Microsoft's own tools, the third is a reliable third-party software - AOMEI Backupper Standard. Read carefully to learn more!

Method 1. Reset Locked Computer via Reset This PC

If you forget your computer password for Windows 10, you can easily reset it from the lock screen. If you are not sure how to do it, take a look at the steps below.

1. Turn on your Windows 10 PC and at the login screen, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard. After holding that key, click the Power button in the bottom right corner of the screen and then select Restart.

2. This will restart Windows 10 and take you to the Advanced Options menu. Click on the Troubleshoot option to continue.

3. Then click Reset this PC on the Troubleshoot window.

4. Then select Remove everything in this screen. Because if you choose the Keep my files option, then you will have to provide your Microsoft account password.

Method 2. Reset Locked Computer for Windows 10 by Fresh Install

It is very common for anyone to forget their computer password for Windows 10. Another common way to reset a locked computer is to perform a fresh install. You can do this with Windows installation media.

You need to create an installation media on another working Windows 10 PC. The details are as follows.

1. Prepare a USB flash drive of at least 8 GB. Download Windows 10 installation media from the Microsoft website.

✨ Note: After creating the installation media, all the data on your USB will be formatted. If you have important files in it, it is recommended that you create a backup in advance.

2. After you create the installation media from another Windows 10 computer, you can perform Windows 10 factory reset from boot of the locked computer.
3. Insert this installation media into your locked Windows 10 computer. Press a special key (usually Delete or F2) to boot into the BIOS and modify the boot sequence so that your computer will boot from the installation media.
4. When you get to the installation screen, click Next, then click Repair your computer.

5. Click on Troubleshoot -> Reset this PC. Then repeat step four above.

Method 3. Reset Locked Computer via Bootable Media

There is another method that allows you to create bootable media on another working Windows 10 computer and then reset your locked Windows 10 computer. AOMEI Backupper Standard is the most reliable third-party software that can easily help you create a bootable media and system backup. You can then plug this media tool into a locked computer to perform Windows 10 factory reset from boot.

Below I will show you how to use this free software to create bootable media on another Windows 10 computer that is in good working order. After creating it, you will need to create a system backup, this will help you perform a system restore on your locked Windows 10 computer.

1. Download AOMEI Backupper Standard on your computer and install it.

2. Then launch this freeware, you will see a dark blue interface. Click Tools -> Create Bootable Media in order.

3. Then choose the type of emergency bootable disc that you're trying to create. Here we select Windows PE – Create bootable disc based on Windows PE and click Next to continue.

Tip 📌: Linux-based bootable media allows you to use only the basic features of AOMEI Backupper, while Windows PE allows you to access the full functionality.

4. Then select the USB Boot Device to create a Windows 10 bootable media, and click Next to run the process.

5. After creating the bootable media, you can create a system backup to this USB.
6. Once the whole operation is complete, insert this bootable media into your locked computer. It will automatically enter the AOMEI recovery environment after booting, and then you can perform a Windows 10 factory reset from boot.

Final Words

This article tells you 3 ways of how to reset locked computer for Windows 10. You can choose the one that best suits your reality to perform a factory reset as needed. If you are a Windows Server user, you can also get help from AOMEI Backupper Server.

If you need to replace or upgrade the hard drive on your computer, you can use AOMEI Backupper to help you migrate your system or data. It will ensure that you can boot successfully from the new hard drive and won't experience any data loss.