We’ve all been guilty of forgetting passwords far too often. You can usually get back in by selecting the “Forgot Password” option and following a few easy steps, but that isn’t always the case. You might not be able to start your computer at all if you forget your BIOS password, which is a password intended to prevent users from altering BIOS settings or from starting your computer.
What is the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)?
The firmware known as Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is used to initialize hardware during booting and to offer runtime services for operating systems and applications. Put simply, when you press the CPU’s ON button, the BIOS software is used by the computer’s microprocessor to boot up the system. In addition, BIOS controls data transfer between an associated device—such as a hard drive, keyboard, mouse, printer, and visual adapter—and the computer’s operating system.
What is the BIOS Password?
A BIOS Password is the verification code that is periodically needed to access a computer’s basic input/output system prior to the boot process beginning. Nevertheless, business computers are more likely to have the BIOS password than personal ones because it must be manually enabled.
How to Remove or Reset the BIOS Password
The BIOS password can be reset or removed using one of five main techniques. They can be anything from popping a button off the motherboard of your computer to trying a hundred different passwords to get in. While not overly complex, they do call for some perseverance and work.
Method 1: BIOS Password Backdoor
There are five primary methods for resetting or removing the BIOS password. They might involve anything from trying a hundred different passwords to popping a button off the motherboard of your computer. They’re not too complicated, but they do require some effort and persistence.
1. If you enter the wrong password three times at the password entry box, a failsafe known as “checksum” will appear.
A notice appears stating that the password has failed or that the system has been disabled. The message is followed by a number that is shown in square brackets; take note of this number.
2. Visit the BIOS Master Password Generator, enter the number in the text box, and then click on the blue button that reads ‘Get password’ right below it.
3. After you click on the button, the website will list a few possible passwords which you can try one by one, starting from the code labeled ‘Generic Phoenix’. If the first code doesn’t get you in the BIOS settings, work your way down the list of codes until you find success. One of the codes will surely give you access irrespective of the password set by you or your employer.
4. Once you get in with one of the passwords, all you have to do is restart your computer, and you will be able to enter the same BIOS password once again without any problem.
Method 2: Removing CMOS Battery to Bypass BIOS Password
The Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) memory stores the BIOS Password and all other BIOS settings, as was previously indicated. The motherboard has a tiny battery that is used to save configurations such the date and time. This is especially valid for PCs that are older. As a result, some more recent systems will not be able to use this method because they include EEPROM, or nonvolatile electrical flash memory, which stores the BIOS password without the need for power. However, since this approach is the simplest, it’s still worthwhile to try.
1. Unplug the power supply, disconnect all wires, and turn off your computer. (To assist you with the reinstallation, make a note of the precise locations and placement of the wires.)
Unlock the laptop’s screen or the desktop enclosure. Locate and remove the CMOS battery from the motherboard. Inside the motherboard is the CMOS battery, which has the shape of a silver coin.
3. To remove the battery, use a butter knife or other flat, blunt object. Take caution and accuracy so as not to inadvertently harm the motherboard or yourself. Keep in mind that the CMOS battery should be inserted with the etched positive side facing you.
4. Before returning the battery to its original location, store it for at least half an hour in a dry, clean environment. All BIOS settings, including the password we are attempting to enter, will be reset as a result.
5. To see if the BIOS data has been reset, re-plug all of the cables and power on the computer. You have the option to change the BIOS password while the machine boots up; if you do, please write it down for future use.
Method 3: Bypass or Reset BIOS Password Using Motherboard Jumper
The best method for removing the BIOS password on contemporary devices is most likely this one.
There is a jumper on most motherboards that removes both the BIOS password and all CMOS settings. Electricity flows because jumpers are used to close the electrical circuit. Devices including as hard disks, motherboards, sound cards, modems, and so forth can be configured with these.
(Disclaimer: Given the sophistication of modern laptops, we advise using extreme caution when attempting this procedure or seeking the assistance of a professional expert.)
Method 4: Reset BIOS Password Using Third-party Software
There are situations when the password merely safeguards the BIOS tool and doesn’t need to be entered to start Windows; in these circumstances, you can attempt using a third-party tool to crack the password.
Numerous third-party programs, such as CMOSPwd, are readily available online to reset BIOS passwords. You can download it by going to this website and following the guidelines.
Method 5: Remove BIOS Password Using Command Prompt
The final method is only for those who already have access to their system and want to remove or reset the CMOS settings along with the BIOS password.
1. Start off by opening a command prompt on your computer. Simply press Windows key + S on your computer, search Command Prompt, right-click and select Run As Administrator.
FAQ's
BIOS passwords cannot be recovered.
If you have forgotten one of the passwords that is set in the BIOS, resetting the CMOS or NVRAM helps reset the BIOS to factory default settings and remove the passwords from the BIOS. WARNING: Clearing the CMOS or NVRAM using a jumper resets the passwords in the BIOS.
You’ll be able to enter three incorrect passwords before your system is locked and you have to reboot again. Ideally, one of the stock BIOS passwords listed on the BIOS Master Password site will unlock your computer
In conjunction with disk encryption, a BIOS password adds an extra layer of security. It prevents the system from booting from an external device, which could potentially be used to bypass the operating system’s security measures and access encrypted data.
In most cases, flashing the BIOS firmware won’t remove a BIOS password. The BIOS password is typically stored in a non-volatile memory location on the motherboard, which is separate from the BIOS firmware
Generally the default bios password is blank. Just hit the Enter key. On some machines, you can repeatedly hit F11 or F12 during boot and you’ll be given a choice of where to boot from (independent of bios setting). Usually the key instruction to change the boot device flashes up at the initial screen loading.