How to Reset Forgotten Safe Mode Password

Forgot the administrator password and can't log into Windows Safe Mode? This tutorial shows you how to use PCUnlocker to reset forgotten Safe Mode password with ease. This method works with all versions of Windows, including Windows 8.1.

Part 1: Create A PCUnlocker Live CD/USB Drive

PCUnlocker exists of a CD image, which needs to burned to a blank CD or USB drive. Before resetting Safe Mode password, you need to use a spare PC to make a PCUnlocker Live CD/USB drive.

1. Download and save the PCUnlocker self-extracting Zip file to your desktop, then extract the ISO image file: pcunlocker.iso from the ZIP file.
2. Download and install the ISO2Disc utility, a free ISO burning program.
3. Launch the ISO2Disc program. Click on Browse button to locate the pcunlocker.iso file, then click the Start Burn button to burn the ISO image to a blank CD or USB flash drive.
   

Part 2: Change Boot Order in BIOS

1. Inset your newly created CD or USB drive into the computer with Safe Mode password you want to reset. When it is powered on, check the boot-screen for setup key (i.e. DELETE key, F8 key, F2 key) to enter BIOS Setup Utility.
2. Use the arrow keys to select the BOOT tab, then change the Boot Device Priority: Set 1st Boot Device to CD/DVD. If your created media is a USB drive, set 1st Boot Device to Removable Device.
3. Press F10 to save your changes.

Part 3: Reset Safe Mode Password

1. After successfully booting from the CD/USB drive, the computer will load the WinPE operating system and take you directly to the PCUnlocker program.
2. Simply select your Windows SAM registry hive if multiple operating systems have been installed on the computer, the program will list the Windows user accounts.
   
3. Select the Administrator account and click the Reset Password button. This will enable / reset your Safe Mode password instantly.
4. Remove the CD or USB drive and reboot your computer to Safe Mode, you can then log into the built-in administrator account without a password! For domain controller, you can also boot into Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) and login!