How to Unlock a Dell Inspiron Laptop Without the Password?

Last Updated/Fact Checked on December 6, 2022 by Irslan

Keeping your information safe is nowadays the most crucial factor. There are multiple ways to secure your information in digital form. If you don’t follow the rule of thumb, you will likely be locked out of your computer. In this case, you won’t be able to access your documents, photos, videos, and anything stored in your storage.

I will demonstrate multiple ways of unlocking your Dell Inspiron laptop, even if you have forgotten your password. 

Specific methods like password reset disk, using your Microsoft account, unlocking passwords by Windows password reset tool, portable flash drive, and factory reset your Dell Inspiron laptop will help you get hold of your computer. You must attempt these methods carefully; otherwise, they can cause potential damage to your data. 

📝 Note:

Some of these unlocking methods vary from brand to brand. So, if you are applying these methodes on any other brand laptops then you should first google that is that method work on your Laptop? 

We also have explained identical methodes for differet laptops like Acer or Compaq etc, so check them out if you own one of these. 

Plus, we also have shown you a method for how to stop someone from accessing your computer remotely. So, this is also an identical issus that many of us face at some stage, I thought to teach you in advance.

Before setting a password on your Dell Inspiron laptop, you should always keep in mind the backup options of your machine’s password. Keep a backup of your password in a flash drive or Windows password reset disk. 

Now let me take you to the process of resetting your Dell Inspiron without a password:

5 Methods to Unlock Dell Inspiron Without Password

If you ever face a situation where you can’t access your Windows by forgetting your password, you can try the below-mentioned methods to unlock your Inspiron laptop.

These methods may depend on your running Windows operating system, like Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11.  Some of these are universal, and you can use them on any version of your operating system.

1. Reset in Safe Mode for Non-Admin Accounts.

Windows run multiple processes in the background, of which the frontend users are unaware. One of the essential processes is creating an administrative account during Windows OS installation. This administrative user account is convenient when you can’t access your profile or Windows account. This executive account can, however, be only accessed in Safe Mode. So to use this method, you must have access to the computer’s safe mode

The method only works when you need to remember your non-administrative account. In the case of the administrative account, we will try something different. For now, let us explore this method in more detail.

  • Restart your Inspiron laptop
  • Press the “F8” key until you land on the admin account while your PC is rebooted.
  • Now press “CTRL+ALT+DEL” at once 
  • Select the “Switch User” option 
  • It will ask you for user name and password. Write Administrator in the username field, keep the password blank, and press enter.
  • Once logged in, go to Account Settings.
  • Finally, choose the account whose password has been forgotten and rest it. You will be able to reset it because of the administrative rights.

Nevertheless, this method only works when you need to reset the password of a non-admin account.  

2. Using Microsoft Account Credentials.

Breaking the password using technical hacking tools can be very troublesome for non-specialists. Using third parties applications will give you a free trial, but when it comes to password reset or recovery, they will first ask you to pay their charges. In this case, one of the easiest ways to log in to your Windows-powered Inspiron laptop is by using your Microsoft account credentials. I believe you have an account in Microsoft; follow the steps mentioned below.

  • On your browser, open Microsoft Account
  • Provide your credentials, including username or email ID, phone number, or Skype ID, and click “Next.” Click on forget the password. You need to verify your identity in this step. Click on “Get Code.”
  • You will receive a 7-digit code at your email address. Provide the code in the next window and click Next.
  • After that, a window will appear asking you to enter a new password. It is how easily you can unlock your Dell Inspiron laptop without a password using your Microsoft account credentials.

This method will work under one condition: When you use your Microsoft account to log in to your laptop. Otherwise, if login credentials on your computer are different, then the above method will only reset the password of the email that you are using. 

3. Windows Password Reset Disk.

Resetting the Inspiron password using the reset disk is the safest, fast, and easiest way to log in to your laptop. However, you can only use this method if you have created a password reset disk while setting up your password. It means that not everyone would have access to this disk. When you first purchase a laptop, you get a disk with your PC; that disk is used to set up your operating system and is also very useful in such situations, if you don’t have it, you can create new one.

Anyhow, if you have the reset disk, you can easily reset your laptop’s password by following these steps. 

  • Restart your Dell Inspiron laptop
  • When asked for a password, provide anything since you don’t know the exact password
  • Click on “Reset Password” in the link below the password field and click “Next.”
  • Insert your password reset disk, select that specific drive from the dropdown menu, and click “Next.”
  • It will automatically reset your current password and ask you to enter a new password. 

The problem with this method is the unavailability of the password reset disk. Therefore, creating a reset disk when setting up your password is necessary.

Moreover, if you need to remember the password of your working PC configured on a network, the password reset link won’t appear. 

Here is a complete video explanation of creating a Pasword Reset Disk. Thanks to Tricknology for this clear and helpful explanation.

4. Bootable Flash Drive.

Using a bootable flash drive for password recovery is easy if you have technical knowledge of Microsoft products. It involves playing with the boot menu and using some special commands in the command prompt.

If you are tech-savvy, let us start with this method. Before beginning this method, you must have a bootable, flash, or DVD drive.

  • Insert the flash drive into your Inspiron laptop
  • Restart your PC and once it is booting, keep pressing the “F12” key on your keyboard. It will lead you to the boot menu.
  • Once you are in the boot menu, select your booting device. If you use a removable USB drive, select “Removable Device.” Else choose CD-ROM in case your bootable drive is a DVD. Click Next.
  • Click on “Repair Your Computer.” Go to “Troubleshoot,” then “Advance Options,” and finally, click on the command prompt. 
  • Look for your installation drive, usually a C or D drive. Type “cd windows” and hit enter, then type “system32” and enter. 
  • Rename your utility manager by using the command “ren ultiman.exe ultiman_bak.exe.” After that, type “exit’. Restart your computer. 
  • Once your PC is booted, click on “Ease of Access.”
  • The easy method is to enter “control userpasswords2” and press enter. Select your user account and then reset your password. 

5. Factory Reset Your Laptop.

Factory resetting will remove the password and your files. I don’t recommend factory resetting because it removes all of your data. Keep this option as a last resort, and always keep a backup of your data to external storage. If you have no data backup and are still desperate to factory reset your PC, then go ahead with this method. 

  • Turn on your laptop
  • On the right corner of the screen, there is the power button. Click on it.
  • Click on the restart while pressing the “Shift” key.
  • Your laptop will boot in Advanced Option; select Troubleshoot from the list.
  • Select Reset from the next window and click Next. 
  • This way, your password will be removed from the PC, including all your data.

You are supposed to do nothing until the factory reset process is complete. Once completed, your Dell Inspiron will be like a new laptop but at the cost of your stored data. 

Guides About Factory Resetting Different Laptops:

Using Third-Party Applications

Besides these methods, specific third-party applications can help you reset your Dell Inspiron password. They are paid for and may compromise your privacy. I don’t encourage using these for laptops with sensitive data and information. Below are some famous applications that will help you reset your password.

1. Active Password Changer.

Active Password Changer is a paid tool designed to reset user and administrator passwords. The basic variant costs $55 and is suitable for personal use. This tool can create bootable disks on many devices like CDs, DVDs, USB Flash drives, and ISO images. You can reset the current password and assign a new one, but you can’t recover the old one with this application. 

It has three different software versions, Windows, Linux (Live CD), and for DOS. If you have older versions of Windows, like Windows 7 or XP, this application is beneficial in resetting the password. It is easy to use and doesn’t require any background knowledge of computers. Follow the steps, and you will easily reset your password.

2. LabWin.

LabWin is another password resetting software, a paid one that costs $29.99 in its initial package, while the corporate package is expensively priced at $295. Like the previous software, it also has a user-friendly interface with no inclusion of a command prompt. It has a built-in ISO burner that quickly makes a password reset disk on both DVD and USB flash drives.  

This application also has a free version butt won’t reset your Windows password. It is only for demo purposes. It works with over 50 brands, including HP, Dell, Samsung, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, and Thinkpad. It is available for multiple operating systems like Windows and macOS. As claimed by the developer, it has a success rate of 98%. 

3. PassFolk SaverWin.

Surprisingly, PassFolk is a free third-party application to reset the password on your Dell Inspiron laptop. It is an easy-to-use and fast way to access your password-locked operating system. It helps you reset your admin and user password. PassFolk works with older and the latest versions of Windows, starting from Windows XP to Windows 11. This software is powered by an attractive graphic interface that lets you create users with a single click. 

An additional feature of removing passwords from servers is impressive. That helps reset passwords from Windows servers like 2016, 2008 R2, and 2012. The process is completed in three steps, download the application, burn the rest disk, and rest the password. 

The Bottom Line

It is unfortunate to forget your laptop’s password, but multiple ways can help you reset it. You should take password reset steps carefully because of the potential threat of data loss. 

While setting up passwords, making a reset disk mandatory would help reset the password once forgotten. The Microsoft account is crucial for Windows login because simply resetting this account will reset your Windows login. Don’t go for a factory reset because you will lose your stored data. Paid third-party applications can sometimes be handy but a little too pricey for a personal computer owner.

Other Articles About Dell Laptops:

Here are few articles and guides about Dell Laptops below. Don’t miss checking them out: