# How do I reset a user's password in Mac OS X?

If a user forgets their password in Mac OS X, you can use the install disc to reset <span class="caps">ANY</span> of the user account passwords.

Boot from the install disc (or any install disc with a version higher than the installed OS X version) by having the disc in the drive and holding down C on bootup.

Choose Reset Password from the top Utilities menu.

If a user has activated the Master Password and turned on File Vault, do <span class="caps">NOT</span> reset a user’s password in this fashion as this will make the data unrecoverable unless you reset the account back to the original password.