Introduction
Buying a used computer can be an affordable solution for your computing need. The admin password belonging to the previous owner is a frequent obstacle, though. With the help of this tutorial, you will be able to reset the admin password and gain complete access to your just acquired computer.

Understanding the Issue
It’s likely that the prior owner of a used computer did not delete the admin password before you bought it. This may stop you from installing software or changing the system. Fortunately, changing the admin password may be done in a few different ways.
Method 1: Password Reset Disk
If the previous owner created a password reset disk, you can use it to reset the admin password. Here’s how:
- Insert the password reset disk into your computer.
- At the Windows login screen, click ‘Reset password…’
- Follow the steps in the Password Reset Wizard to create a new password.
- Log in with the new password.
Method 2: Super Administrator Account
Windows has a built-in Super Administrator Account that is disabled by default. You can enable it to reset the admin password.
- Start your computer and tap ‘F8’ on your keyboard to access Advanced Boot Options.
- Select ‘Safe Mode with Command Prompt.’
- In the Command Prompt, type
net user administrator /active:yes
and press ‘Enter.’ - Restart your computer. You should now see the Administrator account on the login screen.
- Log in to the Administrator account (it doesn’t have a password by default) and go to Control Panel > User Accounts to reset the admin password.
Method 3: Third-Party Software
There are several third-party software options available that can reset the admin password. Examples include Offline NT Password & Registry Editor and Ophcrack. These tools require you to create a bootable disk or USB drive.
Method 4: Factory Reset
If all else fails, performing a factory reset can remove the admin password. However, this should be your last resort as it will erase all data on the computer.
- Restart your computer and press ‘F8’ to access Advanced Boot Options.
- Select ‘Repair Your Computer.’
- Select ‘System Recovery Options’ and then ‘Dell Factory Image Restore’ or ‘HP System Recovery,’ depending on your computer’s manufacturer.
- Follow the prompts to reset your computer to its factory settings.
.
Conclusion
Resetting the admin password on a second-hand computer can be a daunting task, but with patience and the right resources, it’s certainly achievable. Whether you choose to use a password reset disk, enable the Super Administrator Account, use third-party software, or perform a factory reset, each method has its own set of steps and requirements. Always remember to back up important data before attempting any password reset methods.
FAQ's
Another Administrator Account: If there’s another admin account on your computer (or someone else who has admin privileges), you can ask them to reset your password for you. Third-Party Software: There are third-party tools like Ophcrack and iSeePassword Windows Password Recovery that can help you reset your password.
From the Office 365 sign in page, click on Can’t access your account? Enter your User ID (usually your email address), complete the visual challenge and then click on Next.
To access the built-in administrator account, open the Control Panel and click on “User Accounts and Family Safety”. Then select “Manage Another Account” and you will see the Administrator account. You can then use this account to get admin rights on Windows 10 without a password.
Use Credential Manager. The Credential Manager is an operating system database to store admin usernames and passwords. Windows users can find computer passwords without changing them.
To change a password in the Command Prompt, type “net user [username] [new password] and press “Enter.” For a more discreet option, you can type “net user [username} *” and press “Enter.” Then enter the new password twice. You must have administrative access to change a password using the Command Prompt