If you have been using Windows for quite some time now then you’re probably aware of the BIOS or UEFI password. This password lock is the one that ensures you enter the set password even before your Windows PC boots up. However, there’s just one downside with the BIOS or UEFI password – there is no recovery option, unlike your Microsoft account. Worry not though for this post will guide you on how you can set or recover a BIOS or UEFI password on your Windows computer.
The BIOS or UEFI passwords are stored at the hardware level which means that unless the OEM wants or has configured a way to recover the password, it is pretty much impossible to reset it. There are times when they are so strict that the only way to get through it by contacting customer care. Note that any Windows computer with this lock can’t be unlocked by trying to reinstall Windows.
In this post, you’re going to have to remove the CMOS battery temporarily, clear unknown BIOS/UEFI passwords using the bios-PW website as well as call customer care. For more details, refer to the options provided below.
Option 1 – Remove the CMOS battery temporarily
In case you didn’t know, every motherboard comes with a CMOS battery which helps the computer system to keep the clock ticking and in making sure that the BIOS settings are not lost when the computer is powered down. Every time a computer is turned on, the CMOS battery ensures that the information is available for the computer to boot up. So when you remove the CMOS battery temporarily, say about 30 seconds or a minute, the settings will be lost. There are some motherboards that are built-in ways that when you remove the battery for long, it will reset everything including the password for the BIOS or UEFI.
Option 2 – Clear the unknown BIOS or UEFI passwords using a bios-PW website
If the first option didn’t work, you can try using this BIOS Password website at http://bios-pw.org/ to clear the password.
- When prompted by the BIOS, enter the wrong password a couple of times as doing so will lock you out of the system.
- After that, you will see a new number or code on the screen which will include a message about System Disabled [XXXXX] Service TAG [YYYYY].
- Next, open the BIOS Password website and enter the XXXXX code in it and make sure to tap the Shift + Enter keys or just enter.
- Now it will open multiple unlock keys which you can use to clear out the BIOS or UEFI lock on your Windows PC.
Option 3 – Call the customer care
If the second option still didn’t work, you have to call customer care and follow their suggestions for they will walk you through fixing the problem using the service tag or might suggest that you visit a service center to make things easier for you.
Note: You also have the option to set a BIOS or UEFI password. Although it isn’t recommended, you still can do it if you really want to. Remember that the BIOS or UEFI interface varies from OEM to OEM so you must find something related to either PASSWORD or SECURITY. You will have the following similar options:
- Supervisor password – it’s the same as the master password that can change important system settings.
- User password – with this password, any user can change minor settings.
- Master password – you can use this password for a hard drive or as a general password.
There are several OEMs that offer micro-control where you have to enter the BIOS password. For instance, you’ll have the option to skip for a normal restart, or when you select a boot device while you might have to enter the password for unattended reboots or when your PC is powered on, etc.
And if you are here to remove the password, you need to find a remove password option in the same section. You will be prompted to enter the set password once and if it’s correct, it will remove the BIOS password. After that, you have to save and exit the BIOS then restart your computer and check if the settings are properly applied.