How To View User Password In Windows 10

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Forgetting your Windows 10 user account password can be an annoying and frustrating experience, especially when you don’t have a password reset disk or another administrator account to help you reset it. In this blog post, we will show you how to view user passwords in Windows 10 using third-party software and Command Prompt. However, it is important to note that these methods should only be used for legitimate purposes and with the proper authorization.

Method 1: Using Third-Party Software

There are several third-party tools available that can help you view or recover user account passwords in Windows 10, such as Ophcrack and Lazesoft Recover My Password. In this example, we will use Lazesoft Recover My Password:

  1. Download Lazesoft Recover My Password from the official website.
  2. Install the software on a separate computer and create a bootable USB or CD/DVD.
  3. Boot the computer with the forgotten password using the created media.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your Windows 10 password.
  5. Reboot your computer and log in with the new password.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

To view a user password in Windows 10 using Command Prompt, you will need to have access to an administrator account. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) to open an elevated Command Prompt window.
  2. Type the following command to view a list of all user accounts and their respective security identifiers (SIDs):

wmic useraccount list full

Note the SID of the user account you want to view the password for.

  1. Next, enter the following command, replacing USER_SID with the user’s SID:

reg query "HKLM\SAM\SAM\Domains\Account\Users\USER_SID" /v V

You will now see a series of hexadecimal values representing the user account’s password hash. While this is not the actual plain-text password, it can be used to authenticate the user or be submitted to a password recovery tool to reveal the actual password. Remember that using this information for unauthorized access is illegal and unethical.

While these methods can help you view user account passwords in Windows 10, it is crucial to use them responsibly and only for legitimate purposes. It is also essential to maintain good security practices, such as using strong and unique passwords and keeping your system up-to-date.