This article will tell you how to remove Windows startup password. In this context, we are referring to the Windows Syskey encryption password which comes on Windows startups.
Note: This is for your information that the Syskey utility has been removed from the Windows 10 Fall Creators update, which was officially released on October 17, 2017 and and later Windows versions.
What is Syskey Encryption?
Skykey is a Windows utility that allows you to create an encryption key in the SAM database that is stored in the Windows Registry. It is not configured in any of the Windows OS by default.
It works on all previous versions of Windows, like Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1 and Windows 10 (earlier versions). This can be optional if you want to create a startup password (syskey) that can ask you for a boot password. However, it is not required.
Do you know how to remove startup password from your Windows?
Disadvantages or Misuses of SYSKEY
Even many people misuse this Windows utility by locking up user’s computers and demanding money to unlock their computer. There are so many Windows users that have been facing this problem.
Sometimes they can be victims of scams as scammers create a Syskey password without user information. You might stuck in a Windows bootup because you don’t know that you can remove the startup password easily.
In the solutions, this article will show you the complete process of removing Syskey password and make your computer unlocked without spending any money.
Yes, by using the below utility you can remove the Startup Password or Syskey password from your Windows startup.
Disclaimer or Note: By using this utility, all of your local Windows user account passwords will be re-encrypted and set to blank automatically.
Requirements:
- Working Windows PC with internet access
- USB Pen/Flash drive (4 GB is enough)
- Reset Windows Password ISO Image, available here
Remove Startup Password (Syskey Encryption)
Once you fulfill the above requirements and have downloaded the reset password ISO image, then extract it.
Follow the instructions given in “Installation Steps” notepad file within the download. The ISO burner will help you create your Pen drive bootable. Plug the pen drive to the locked computer and restart it.
At the time of booting, press F9/F12 key (based on your system manufacturer) in order to boot from the pen drive to remove your Syskey password.
Once booted from the pen drive, follow the steps below:
Step 1. You will see a screen, under the option, what do you want to do select Remove user sensitive information from the drop down list and click on Next.
Step 2. On the next screen, under “What do you want to remove” select Reset SYSKEY from the drop-down list and click Next.
Step 3. Now, go to SAM registry file, SYSTEM registry file and SECURITY registry file, then, select their drop-down one by one and click on Next.
Step 4. On the next screen, you just need to click on <<RESET/CHANGE>> button.
Step 5. A window will be prompted to confirm, read and click on Yes in order to reset SYSKEY password. This will initiate a small process and will be completed in seconds.
Step 6. Lastly, you will be getting the message that the SYSKEY was successfully reset.
Just restart your computer. It will take you directly to your desktop after a restart. If you have been using any password for a local user account. It has been removed using this step and will not ask you for any password.
