Contents

How to Reset Password on HP Laptop Without Losing Data

June 28, 2025 33 views

Forgetting your password can feel incredibly frustrating, especially if you haven’t created a recovery disk. Many users feel stuck in this situation, unsure of how to regain access without compromising their data. So, how can you reset the password on your HP laptop without losing anything, even without a recovery device? In this guide, I’ll highlight three reliable methods step by step, teaching you how to reset password on HP laptop safely and easily so you can resume your work without further delay.  

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE

How to Reset Password on HP Laptop

How to Reset Password on HP Laptop


Use Windows Safe Mode to Reset Password on HP Laptop

Almost everyone has been locked out of their laptop in their life. If you’re a victim of this issue and do not have a recovery disk or reset tool, Safe Mode can really save the day. This built-in Windows feature allows me to boot my system with only minimal functions, giving me access to only the core tools that help me reset my password. I’ll show you exactly how you can use Safe Mode and teach you how to unlock HP laptop forgot password without disk.

Step 1: Restart your HP laptop while pressing “F8” repeatedly until the Windows Recovery Environment boots up, select “Troubleshoot”.

 Advanced Options Menu

Advanced Options Menu


Step 2: In the troubleshooting options that pop up, select “Advanced Options”.

Troubleshooting Options

Troubleshooting Options


Step 3: In the Advanced Options menu, click “Startup Settings” to open it.

Advanced Troubleshooting Options Menu

Advanced Troubleshooting Options Menu


Step 4: When Startup Settings open you will see a “Restart” button on the bottom right corner, press it.

Startup Settings

Startup Settings


Step 5: After your system restarts, you’ll see a bunch of options on your screen. Press “6” or “F6” to start your system in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

 Reboot Startup Settings

Reboot Startup Settings


Step 6: Once you’re in Command Prompt, type: “net userand press “Enter”.

Command Prompt Reset Password

Command Prompt Reset Password


Note: Make sure you replaceandwith your actual username and the new password you want to set.

Step 8: Restart your laptop now, then log back into it using the newly created password to regain access back to your computer.

Windows 10 Login Screen

Windows 10 Login Screen


Why it works:

Using Safe Mode lets me skip normal login procedures and Command Prompt allows me to directly change my password without risking or compromising any of my data, even when I don’t have a recovery disk created. When trying to reset my password using Safe Mode, I found it a bit tricky to navigate the Windows Recovery Environment at first. But once I got used to it, it was pretty straightforward and allowed me to easily reset my laptop’s password and regain access to my computer so I can get back to my work in peace.

Use HP’s Built-in Password Reset Tool

If you're using an HP laptop like me, I’ve found that it might be better to rely on HP’s built-in recovery tools for help. Many HP devices have tools integrated to help users troubleshoot and fix common issues, which include password problems. This method was especially useful for me because I didn’t create a recovery disk beforehand, letting me regain access to my device even though I hadn’t created a recovery disk. In this section, I’ll walk you through some quick and easy steps so you can use HP’s built-in password reset tool to recover your account reliably, without having to risk your data.

Step 1: Turn off your HP laptop by pressing the power button or shutting it down through the interface.

HP Power Button

HP Power Button


Step 2: Press “F11” while restarting your laptop to enter the Advanced Options Menu, select “Troubleshoot”.

Advanced Recovery Options Menu

Advanced Recovery Options Menu


Step 3: In the troubleshooting options, select “Recovery Manager” to access HP Recovery Manager.

Troubleshooting Options

Troubleshooting Options


Step 4: In the HP Recovery Manager Window, check the “Back up your files first” box and press “Next”.

HP Recovery Manager Window

HP Recovery Manager Window


Note: If you do not back up your files, they will be permanently lost from the recovery process.

Step 5: Select the file selection method you want to use to create your backup, and then press “Next”.

File Backup HP Recovery

File Backup HP Recovery


  • Auto Selection: The Recovery Manager will automatically decide which file categories are suitable for backup.

  • User Selection: You can choose which folders and files you want to back up manually.

Step 6: Select the drive where you want to save the backup, then press “Next”.

 Drive Selection File Backup

Drive Selection File Backup


Tip: You can use an external drive to save your backup before starting the reset process. This ensures your important files are safe, even if something goes wrong during recovery.

Step 7: Once HP Recovery Manager has successfully created the backup of your system, select “Next”.

 Finishing Backup HP Recovery Manager

Finishing Backup HP Recovery Manager


Step 8: On the next prompt, select “Recover without backing up your files”, then press “Next”.

System Recovery HP

System Recovery HP


Step 9: After the process of Recovery Preparation is complete, select “Continue” to restart your computer and regain access to your computer.

Recovery Preparation Screen

Recovery Preparation Screen


Step 10: Once your computer has restarted successfully, follow the on-screen prompts to reset your password.

Windows Setup Screen

Windows Setup Screen


Note: If you are unable to use your Microsoft Account, you can use a recovery disk to reset your password and access your computer again.

Why it Works:

HP’s built-in password reset tool is designed to those who want to recover access to their devices without needing advanced troubleshooting or a recovery disk. When I couldn’t remember my password, this tool proved to be quite reliable. It guided me through a straightforward recovery process, using HP’s integrated system diagnostics and troubleshooting features.

Use Command Prompt for Advanced Password Reset

If you’re comfortable using command-line tools for troubleshooting, the Command Prompt offers an efficient way to reset your HP laptop password without needing recovery disks or external tools. This method has worked seamlessly whenever I’ve forgotten the password to my HP device, allowing me to reset my password quickly and regain control over my system. I’ll walk you through the exact steps to teach you how to reset password on HP laptop using Command Prompt, so you can safely regain control of your device.

Step 1: Use a bootable USB or other installation media to start your laptop until you reach the Windows Setup screen.

Windows 10 Setup Menu

Windows 10 Setup Menu


Step 2: Press “Shift” + “F10” to open Command Prompt in the Windows Setup Menu.

Step 3: Once you’re inside Command Prompt, type the command: “net userand press “Enter” to reset the password.

Command Prompt Reset Password

Command Prompt Reset Password


Note: Ensure thatandhave been replaced with your actual username and the new password you want to set.

Step 4: You should now restart your laptop and log back in using the newly created password.

Windows 10 Login Window

Windows 10 Login Window


Why it Works:

The net user command is a powerful administrative tool that lets me reset the password for any device directly through the Command Prompt. This works even if I can’t log into Windows normally, making it a reliable option for when recovery tools or disks aren’t available. When I was booting my laptop from USB, I ran into quite a few issues, especially because I was not familiar with BIOS settings. Taking time to follow each step carefully made the entire process much smoother and more effective.

Stay Productive After Resetting Your HP Laptop Password with WPS Office

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE

After dealing with frustrating issues like forgetting my password, especially when I don’t have a recovery disk made, I’ve realized how easily one small mistake can cost me access to my entire system. The last thing I want to be slowed down by heavy or laggy software after I’ve already spent hours trying different methods just to regain access to my device. I fall back on reliable tools like WPS Office to get back on track seamlessly. It’s an all-in-one productivity suite in a lightweight package that runs smoothly on my HP laptop, helping me stay productive without overloading my system.

WPS Office All-in-one Office Suite

WPS Office All-in-one Office Suite


Benefits:

  • Fast loading speeds, even on lower-end systems with limited resources

  • All-in-one suite including Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools

  • WPS AI helps automate tasks like summarizing, editing, and generating reports

  • Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats

  • Cloud integration for easy access and backup across multiple devices

One of the first things I did after regaining access to my device was open WPS Office and start making notes of everything I learned during this process. WPS Office made it incredibly simple to write clean and organized notes without any lag or disruptions. Its lightweight design allowed me to get started instantly, and the built-in AI tools helped me refine my content and summarize the key points effortlessly, proving to be an ideal productivity companion in my workflow.

100% secure

FAQs

Q1: How can I reset my password without a recovery disk?

You can reset your password using Safe Mode with Command Prompt, HP’s built-in password reset tool, or by creating and using bootable media.

Q2: Can I reset my password without losing my data?

Yes, methods like Safe Mode and HP’s built-in recovery tool allow you to reset your password without affecting your personal files.

Q3: What if I don’t remember my security answers or Microsoft account credentials?

In that case, you may need to use bootable recovery tools or trusted third-party software to reset your password securely.

Q4: How often should I back up my password reset data?

It’s best to regularly back up your recovery information, such as creating a recovery disk or linking your account, to avoid potential lockouts in the future.

Summary

Forgetting your laptop’s password is a frustrating but extremely common experience that most people encounter at some point. Luckily, it doesn’t mean you have to reinstall your entire operating system or risk losing important files. By learning how to reset password on HP laptop using reliable solutions like Safe Mode, HP Recovery Manager, or Command Prompt, you can safely regain access without compromising your data or reinstalling your OS.

Once I’m back into my system, I rely on WPS Office to help me stay productive without any further delays. Its lightweight design and high-speed performance let me create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations effortlessly, even after a system recovery. If you’re looking for a powerful, all-in-one office suite that keeps your work flowing smoothly and efficiently, WPS Office is the perfect tool to get you back on track.

logo


7+ years in productivity tech. I test and review the latest tools to simplify your workflow. Follow for honest app comparisons, practical guides, and curated tech picks to boost efficiency.