Hirens Boot Usb Windows 10
Use Windows PE via Hiren’s Boot CD/USB to Reset a Windows 10 Password
So, this is how to use Hiren’s Boot USB to reset Windows password. As you can see Hiren boot password reset is a very convenient method for the users who have forgotten the log-in password. Unfortunately, Hiren’s Boot CD was updated a long time ago, so, if you are using Windows 8/8.1/10 then it might not be compatible with the Operating System. Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable PE Rescue Disk Created a Custom Windows 10 Recovery Tools and Bootable Rescue Disk in ISO format Based on the Win10PESE project found on TheOven.org - Thanks to those that contributed.
Do you need to reset a Windows 10 password? Microsoft doesn’t make it easy to reset Windows 10 passwords when they are lost or forgotten. That is important to keep unwanted users off your computer. Below I give you the steps that show how to perform a Hirens Boot CD password reset on Windows 10. You can use either a CD/DVD or USB flash drive. I’ll show you where to get the files and download them for free, and show you which ones you need for your case. This method works on Windows 10 and 8. If you need to do it on an older version of windows, there is a link below for that too.
We have an older article that will help you if you are looking to reset a password on Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and even Windows 8.
As I’ve said before, Hiren’s BootCD is an excellent utility that you can create on CD, DVD or USB. Read on to find out how to enable this password reset method.
Step 1: Choose CD or USB and download software
The current version (at time of writing) is Hiren’s BootCD PE x64
CD method
First of all, you’ll need the Hiren’s boot CD software. If you want to set up a CD iso download it here (scroll down to the download button at the bottom).
When the zip file has downloaded, double-click the file to extract it. You will then need to burn the ISO file to a writable CD. For this you can use programs like ‘Free ISO Burner’ (or ImgBurn and many more – perhaps you already have suitable software).
USB Method (Hiren’s boot USB Windows 10 password reset)
If creating ISO versions are annoying to you, or your laptop doesn’t have a CD player, then you will need to put it on a USB. It is possible and it’s much better these days as every machine will have a USB port. It’s probably easier too.
To create a USB boot up version you will need to download the USB Alternative as an executable file (opens in a new tab – this is handy as it has the details on setting up your USB). This will ensure you copy the content and manage the USB drive properly.
So, just to be clear: you need Hiren’s BootCD PE – ISO2USB if you want to use boot from a USB, and Hiren’s BootCD PE x64 if you are going to create a boot CD/DVD.
Warning: Be certain you use a new or blank USB as you will lose everything on one that has data on it. The process includes a reformat and the USB will lose any partitions.
Note: you will need to set up either the bootable CD or USB on another computer. Yes I know this is probably obvious, but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to point it out.
Step 2: Boot from the CD or USB
With the CD version, put it into the computer that needs its password reset and boot from it. You will likely have to change the computer’s boot order in the BIOS in order to boot from the CD.
Note: When using the USB or flash drive version, you will only see USB options in the list of devices.
Step 3: Select Windows PE from the menu
Windows PE is for deployment and recovery, in other words it is the mini XP for Windows 10.
When you boot from the CD, you will see a Hiren’s boot menu, a little like the one below. Move down to “Offline NT/2000/XP/Vista/7 Password Changer” (using the arrow key) and press enter.
Note, if you have an older version of Windows, you can use Mini Windows XP as first highlighted.
Custom mobile app builder. As I state above, this is the deployment and recovery version for Windows 10.
To perform the password reset (or clear) in Windows 10 select ‘Offline… Password Changer’ in Hiren’s bootCD menu. (Yes your version will be newer than mine shown.)
Note: As is written on the screen, Don’t Panic! Several lines of text will roll up the screen, which may be a little disconcerting the first time you see it.
Step 4: If necessary Select the partition
If more than one partition is identified, it will prompt you to select the one (disk) where Windows 10 is installed.
Note: Windows 10 installation normally takes up around 30 GB (ie. 30k MB) – that might help you identify its partition.
If prompted, type the number corresponding to the Windows partition on the screen.
Step 5: Acknowledge or Select Path
I expect most PCs will have the default path as Windows/System32/config.
For most PCs you can just hit <Enter>.
Step 6: Select the default Hirens boot cd PE Windows 10 password reset
You can just press <Enter> again, because it is the ‘password reset’ option we need.
Step 7: Select to Reset Administrator or another user password
You will have a few options at this point to select the user account that needs its password reset.
The user accounts will now be displayed and usually include Administrator and Guest in addition to the users normal set name, which you (or they) should easily recognise.
Reset Administrator password Windows 10 with Hiren boot cd:
Type ‘Administrator’ and press <Enter>.
Reset (User account) password on Windows 10 with Hiren boot cd:
In your case it’s you or your client’s username.
Type the username from the list and press <Enter>.
Step 8: Select the Option to Clear Password
Type ‘1’ and press <Enter> for the default option ‘Clear (blank) user password’, as this is the actual step that will reset a password in Windows 10 by Hirens boot CD *.
You should get feedback that it is successful, ‘Password cleared’.
Note: * You will need to save the changes as you exit.
Press ‘q’ and hit <Enter> to commence quitting the main menu.
Note: Yes you can write a new password rather than clear it.
Step 9: Save Changes
You will be prompted to save changes. Hit the ‘y’ key for yes (and press <Enter>), and your password reset will be saved (ie. the password is saved as clear).
Step 10: Reboot
You are now ready to reboot the machine. Remove the CD or USB, and then restart. You or the user can now log into the computer without a password. Awesome! You’ve done a Hirens boot CD password reset in Windows 10!
First you chose whether you wanted to use the CD or the USB version. Remember to make sure you use a blank USB when using the USB version or one that you don’t mind to reformat and lose any data on it. It’s a great utility that I recommend elsewhere on TheTechMentor.com. Download the appropriate file from the CD or USB link above and install. Follow the steps above that show how to perform a Hiren boot CD/USB reset password in Windows 10.
Related posts:
Hiren’s BootCD PE is a new version based on Windows 10 PE x64. This article will guide you how to use AIO Boot to add Hiren’s BootCD PE to your USB drive.Hiren’s BootCD PE
On the official homepage of Hiren’s BootCD, Hiren’s BootCD 15.2 is the latest version. Hiren’s BootCD PE was released on the website developed by the fans of Hiren’s BootCD.
Hiren’s BootCD PE includes only a single version of Windows 10 PE x64, supports new generation PCs and supports booting in UEFI mode (UEFI 64-bit, not 32-bit). If I’m not mistaken, like Bob.Omb’s Modified Win10PEx64 and Gandalf’s Windows 10PE, Windows 10 PE x64 from Hiren’s BootCD PE is also based on Win10PE SE.
Hiren’s BootCD 15.2 installs software, DLLs, and drivers on CD and USB drives, making smaller .WIM files and booting faster. Hiren’s BootCD PE includes all of that in a boot.wim file, although programs start faster but this makes this file larger (about 1.2GB), making booting slower and more RAM consumes, requiring at least 2GB of RAM.
Hiren’s BootCD PE includes only free software, .NET Framework 4 and .NET Framework 4.5 are supported.
Download ISO file and add it to USB
Hiren's Boot Usb Windows 10 Install Tool
See the list of software included and download Hiren’s BootCD PE x64 ISO here, the file name is HBCD_PE_x64.iso.
Like other Windows 10 PE versions, you can easily integrate its ISO file into USB with AIOCreator.exe. Currently the latest version is v1.0.1, please let me know if it has new version.
Hiren's Boot Usb Windows 10 From Hp Prodesk
- Run AIOCreator.exe, switch to Integration, select Windows and then select WinPE 7/8.1/10 in the drop down list.
- Select the ISO file, then click OK to integrate.
- Open the ISO file, copy the HBCD_PE.ini file to the root of the AIO Boot drive. Skip this step if it already exists on the drive.
Now you can restart your computer or use VirtualBox or VMware Workstation to test, boot it from the WinPE & Setup menu. Good luck!