SOLVED! “An Error Occurred While The Wizard Was Attempting To Set The Password For This User Account”

All in all, it’s not uncommon for Windows users to forget password to accounts on their PC and must resort to password reset disks. By taking advantage of password reset disks, people could reset the password regardless of the number of times they have changed the password. Still, it’s worth pointing out that the process is not always smooth sailing. Check out this article to learn more about “an error occurred while the wizard was attempting to set the password for this user account”. 

A List Of Possibilities 

• The reset password disk is for another user account
• The reset password disk is created on a different computer
• The OS is different from the one that the reset password disk was created on. 
• New motherboard 

“An Error Occurred While The Wizard Was Attempting To Set The Password For This User Account”: Solutions 

Take The Reset Password Disk Into Account 

Generally speaking, you don’t have to be an expert to use the reset password disk to reset password.  However, it only takes one mistake for “an error occurred while the wizard was attempting to set the password for this user account” to appear. For the reset of password of an account to proceed smoothly, you must meet the criteria down below: 

• The account must have been active when you set up the reset disk. If you have multiple accounts on your computer, the reset disk will only work with the one you used to set it up.
• You are still using the same operating system that you used to set up the reset password disk. 
• The motherboard remains unchanged.
• The reset disk you are using is the latest for the account.

Make Use Of The Administrator Account

Unable to get the reset password disk to work? In that case, you should give the administrator account a go. If you know what must be done, you could reset the password via the administrator account.

•  Step 1: Create installation media on another computer.
• Step 2: Insert installation media into the original computer then restart it.
• Step 3: The moment you see a black screen, press a random key to boot your computer from the installation media. 
• Step 4: When you see Windows setup, click repair your computer and wait for the recovery menu to be ready
• Step 5: In Recovery, select Troubleshoot and choose Command Prompt.
• Step 6: Proceed to run the commands “net user administrator /active:yes” and “net user administrator [new password]” in Command Prompt. 
• Step 7: Close Command prompt then boot up your computer normally. Enter the new password you have set in Step 6 to start your computer.

Perform A Clean Install

A clean install deleting all details on your windows, including the existing login data. Hence, regarding  “an error occurred while the wizard was attempting to set the password for this user account”, clean install is a solid solution. 

• Step 1: Turn off the computer
• Step 2: Insert the Windows installation disk or floppy drive
• Step 3: Turn on the computer and hold either F2 or F12 to access the BIOS menu
• Step 4: Pick the bootable drive inserted and follow the instructions for a clean install.

Note: The main setback of a clean install is the loss of all the data from your computer. In the case that whatever you have in your computer proves too valuable to lose, the best approach will be to use in-place repair. Like clean install, an installation media is the only thing you need for in-place repair. In-place repair only affects Windows files while leaving the rest alone. 

Tips And Tricks

• Make sure you create a password recovery disk immediately after you finish setting up your account. The disk will serve as a contingency if you forget your password in the future. Needless to say, you should store the disk somewhere safe.
• For ease of convenience, dispose of preexisting password recovery disks if you create a new one for your account to avoid confusion.
• Write down all of your passwords on a piece of paper and keep it around.