HOW-TO RESET WINDOWS PASSWORD | Hirens-BootCD

I think this the easiest method to reset password in Windows 10/11.


You need to know the shortcut to go to Boot Menu to choose the CD or USB with Hirens-BootCD created with.

To reset a forgotten Windows 11 password using Hiren’s BootCD PE, follow these steps. This method works for both local and Microsoft accounts.

Instructions How-To create bootable media see further below at the end.


  • Boot your computer with Hiren’s BootCD PE — DVD/Optical Disk or USB
  • Go to Start Menu -> Security -> Passwords -> NT Password Edit
  • Open your SAM file (It is usually located in C:\Windows\System32\config\SAM)
  • Click your username and the click ‘Change password’. To set a password, type your password both ‘New password’ and ‘Verify’ fields and then click to ‘OK’. To remove the password, leave both ‘New password’ and ‘Verify’ fields blank and then click to ‘OK’.


🔧 What You’ll Need

  • A USB flash drive (at least 8 GB)​ or a DVD-R/-RW/DL
  • Access to another working PC to create the bootable USB​
  • The latest Hiren’s BootCD PE ISO file​
  • Rufus (a tool to create bootable USB drives) ​ Or DVD Burner Software & DVD Burner Drive – e.g. Ashampoo Burning Studio FREE

🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide

1. Download Hiren’s BootCD PE

  • Visit the official site: hirensbootcd.org
  • Download the latest ISO file (e.g., HBCD_PE_x64.iso)​

2. Create a Bootable USB with Rufus

  • Download Rufus from rufus.ie
  • Insert your USB drive into the working PC​
  • Open Rufus and select your USB under “Device”​
  • Under “Boot selection,” choose the Hiren’s ISO file​
  • Click “Start” and wait for the process to complete​

3. Create a Bootable DVD DISK with Ashampoo Burning Studio

  • Download Ashampoo Burning Studio FREE from https://www.ashampoo.com
  • Insert your DVD Disk in the DVD RW drive into the working PC​
  • Open Ashampoo and select your Disk Image > ​Burn Image
  • Under “Disc Image Path” choose the Hiren’s ISO file​
  • Click “Next” after choose your Burner DVD-RW/-R Drive and “Write” and wait for the process to complete​

4. To boot to the Boot Menu

(also known as the One-Time Boot Menu) — without entering BIOS Setup or changing permanent boot order — you need to press a specific key at startup for your PC brand. Here’s a list of common brands and their Boot Menu keys:

Boot Menu Keys by Manufacturer (for one-time boot device selection)

Brand Boot Menu Key Notes
Dell F12 Tap during POST (when Dell logo shows).
Lenovo F12 or Fn + F12 Some models use the Novo Button (small pinhole button).
HP Esc → F9 First press Esc, then F9 for Boot Menu.
ASUS F8 Sometimes Esc is used instead.
Acer F12 May require enabling F12 Boot Menu in BIOS first.
MSI F11 Tap at splash screen.
Gigabyte F12 Standard across motherboards.
ASRock F11 Tap during splash screen.
Microsoft Surface Volume Down + Power Hold Volume Down, press Power, release when logo appears.
Samsung Esc or F12 Depends on model.
Toshiba F12 Tap at startup.
Sony VAIO Assist or F11 Newer models have a physical “Assist” button.

💡 Tips:

  • Press the Boot Menu key immediately after turning on the PC — start tapping it every second.
  • If you see the OS loading, you missed the timing — restart and try again.
  • On laptops with Fn Lock, you may need to hold Fn along with the function key (e.g., Fn + F12).

===

List of 64-bit Single Board Computers (SBC) with 32GB RAM – Purchase Links to Amazon

List of 64-bit Single Board Computers (SBC) with 32GB RAM

All Purchase Links to Amazon.com or where indicated to Amazon Germany

This Article Coming Soon! But the Amazon.com links are working …!


1

Orange Pi 5 Plus 32GB with 256GB eMMC Rockchip RK3588 8 Core 64 Bit Single Board Computer, 2.4GHz Frequency WiFi Bluetooth Run Orange Pi OS, Android, Debian, Ubuntu (Pi 5 Plus 32G+Case+eMMC+R6+Supply)

https://amzn.to/3UiUElN

https://amzn.to/4aBeoqH [cheaper without case]


2

MeLE Overclock4C N95 (up to 3.4GHz) 32GB 512GB Slim Mini PC Windows 11 Pro Dual HDMI + USB Type C 4K Triple Display WiFi 6 BT5.2 Gigabit Ethernet, Support Linux OS, Mini Computer with VESA Mount

https://amzn.to/3vTuUD8 — Amazon Germany Link

https://amzn.to/3xFmfF1 (newest model by MeLE) USA Link

MeLE Mini PC Windows 11 Pro 32GB Ram 512GB N5095 Small Desktop Computer Overclock3C 2x HDMI 4K USB-C Triple Display 2.4G/5G WiFi 6 BT5.2 GbE Support Linux Micro PC on Industrial IoT MES WMS NAS Office

https://amzn.to/3Ul6Dzv


3

NOTE: This is a Mini-PC and Not a SBC – RAM can be replaced – max 64GB

GMKtec Nucbox K6 Gaming Mini PC – AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS Windoms11pro Mini Computers, 32GB DDR5 5600MHz, 1TB PCIe4.0 SSD, 2×2.5G LAN RJ45, Triple Display, 45-65W TDP, Radeon 780M, Micro PC with ZEN4 and RONA3

https://amzn.to/4aUxUht


4

NOTE: This is a Mini-PC and Not a SBC – RAM can be replaced – max 64GB

Mini PC AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Up to 4.3GHz 8C/16T, 32GB RAM 1TB SSD Graphics 8 Cores 1900 MHz, M.2 SSD NVME Mini Computer WiFi 6/BT5.2/HDMI/TYPE-C/USB * 4, Gaming/Office, HTPC, Workstation, Media Server

https://amzn.to/4cWowMd


5

NOTE: This is a Mini-PC and Not a SBC – RAM can be replaced – max 64GB

MINIS FORUM NPB6 Mini PC, Intel Core i7-13620H 10 Cores 16 Threads CPU 32 GB DDR5/1 TB SSD Mini Desktop Computer, Intel UHD Graphics, HDMI/USB4 Port, WiFi, BT, USB 3.2 × 2

https://amzn.to/3WjpJrd — Amazon Germany Link