How to Reset Forgotten Windows 11 Password (Microsoft/Local Account/PIN)

Part 1: Reset Forgotten PIN Password in Windows 11.

When you forget Windows 11 PIN password and need to reset it, complete the following steps (Ensure that the internet is connected):

Step 1: On the Windows 11 login screen, click “I forgot my PIN” under the PIN password box.

Step 2: Enter your user account password and then click “Sign in”.

Step 3: you need to verify your identity, choose a way to receive code and continue.

Step 4: If you choose your phone number, enter the last 4 digits of the phone number. Then click “Send code”.

Step 5: You will receive a code in seconds. Type in your received code and then click “Verify”.

Step 6: Select “Continue”.

Step 7: Type in a new PIN and type it again to confirm. Then click “OK”. The new PIN password is working now.

Part 2: Reset Forgotten Windows 11 Microsoft Account Password.

In all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features. So, a Microsoft account might be the first user account you can use in Windows 11. When you forget password and locked out of the Microsoft account, complete the following steps to reset its password.

Step 1: If the password you typed is incorrect, you’ll see a message that says: Your account or password is incorrect. If you cannot remember your password, reset it now on another device: a phone or computer with internet access. Then open the Microsoft official site where you can reset password on. Enter your Microsoft account and then click “Next”.

Step 2: For your protection, Microsoft must verify your identity before you can proceed with resetting your password. Now select which option to send the verification code to.

Step 3: Depending on the contact method you chose, retype the first part of the email address or the last four digits of the phone number. Then click “Send code”.

Step 4: Enter your received code and proceed with resetting password.

Step 5: Type a new password and retype it to confirm. Then click “OK”. You successfully reset your Microsoft account password. You will now be able to use the new password to sign in your Microsoft account in Windows 11.

If you cannot reset your Microsoft account password by using the steps given above, it could be because you no longer have access to your security contact info or because you haven’t used this account in a long time and the account has been closed by Microsoft. So you need to first recover the Microsoft account. To do this, please refer to this guide on Microsoft website.

You also can add a new local admin account to your Windows 11 by using an external CD, DVD or USB. Then you can get access to your locked computer without affecting data or settings.

Part 3: Reset Forgotten Windows 11 Local Administrator/Standard User Password

If you use a local administrator in Windows 11 and unfortunately forgot the login password, there are some easy ways for resetting forgotten password. Here are three easy and workable tips for you to reset forgotten Windows 11 local administrator password without losing data.

Tip 1: Reset Windows 11 Local Admin Password by Answering Security Questions.

In Windows 10 1803 and beyond Windows versions include Windows 11, people can add three security questions (pre-set three answers) to their local admin account. When forget the admin account password after that, you can answer the three security questions to get permission for resetting the forgotten password. Here is how to do:

Step 1: On the Windows 11 login screen, you will get a message says the password is incorrect after you entered a wrong password. Select “OK” to go back.

Step 2: There will be a password reset link appears under the password box. Select the Reset password link.

Step 3: Give the pre-set answers to your security questions.

Step 4: Type a new password twice and then click “OK”.

Step 5: You will now be able to sign in as usual with the new password.

Tip 2: Reset Windows 11 Local Administrator Password with Password Reset Disk.

Besides of answering security questions, Windows password reset disk is one of the easiest ways to reset forgotten Windows 11 local administrator password as well. When you create a password for your local administrator in Windows 11, it is necessary to create a password reset disk for preventing password forgotten. Then keep it in a safe place.

When you forget Windows 11 local administrator password, use the password reset disk to reset the administrator password without knowing it.

Step 1: In the Windows 11 login screen, select your local administrator. When you enter a wrong password, you will get a message says the password is incorrect. Select “OK” to back into the login screen.

Step 2: Windows 11 gives you a link for resetting the local administrator password. Now insert your password reset disk and then select the reset password link under the password box.

Note: If you have added security questions to the user account, scroll down and select "Use a password reset disk instead".

Step 3: Password reset wizard appears, click on “Next”.

Step 4: Select the password reset disk you inserted and then click “Next”.

Step 5: Type a new password and retype it to confirm. Click “Next”.

Step 6: Click “Finish” and remove your password reset disk from computer. Now you can use the new password to sign into the local administrator in Windows 11.

Tip 3: Reset Windows 11 Local Administrator Password with Command Prompt. (Require Windows Install Media)

To use Command Prompt to reset Windows 11 local admin password, you have to get administrative permission. If you don’t have any other local admin account available on your computer, you can use a Windows 11 installation disk to help accomplish this task. Here is the details about how to use Command Prompt to reset forgotten Windows 11 password.

Step 1: Boot your computer from an official Windows 11 installation DVD/USB disk. When Windows setup screen appears, select “Next”.

Step 2: Select “Repair your computer” link.

Step 3: Under “Choose an option”, select “Troubleshoot”.

Step 4: Under “Troubleshoot”, select “Command Prompt”.

Step 5: At the command window, type the following commands. (Press Enter key after each command)

1. Move c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\

2. Copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Step 6: Remove the Windows installation disk and then use the following computer to reboot the computer: type “wpeutil reboot” and then press Enter key.

Step 7: PC reboots and loads the Windows 11 login screen. Click “Ease of access” icon.

Step 8: Command Prompt window appears. Type “net user” and then press Enter, all local user accounts of Windows 11 will be displayed. To reset a user account password, type “net user [user name] [new password]” and then press Enter. For example: To reset local administrator password, type “net user administrator 123456” and then press Enter key. The new password 123456 is what you want.

Try some other ways to launch Command Prompt and reset Windows 11 password. More methods to use command prompt to reset Windows 11 local user password can be found here.

Tip 4: Reset any Windows 11 User Account Password with Windows Password Rescuer.

When you forget Windows 11 password and didn’t create a password reset disk or set security questions, the easiest and fastest way to reset forgotten Windows 11 password is using Windows Password Rescuer. This is currently the best Windows password reset tool which can help reset or recover any Windows user account password. It is now working for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Windows server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012/R2, 2008/R2, 2003/R2, 2000, etc.

The following procedure is about how to use Windows Password Rescuer Personal to reset forgotten Windows 11 local administrator password.

Step 1: Use Windows Password Rescuer Personal to create a password recovery disk.

Windows Password Rescuer supports creating password recovery disk with CD, DVD and USB. Here I choose using a USB flash drive.

1. Firstly, purchase Windows Password Rescuer Personal full version online. After your payment, you will receive the product seconds later from the email you chose. (Have a try? Free download Windows Password Rescuer Personal trial version. It is about 112 MB)

2. Now download the product from your received email and then install it on an accessible computer. (You can install it on any Windows OS.)

3. When complete installing, plug a blank USB flash drive into the current computer and launch the software. It will show you a friendly interface. Just choose “USB Device” option.

4. Next, select the USB flash drive you plugged in and then click “Begin Burning” button. Select “Yes” when a confirmation message pops up.

5. When complete burning, unplug the USB flash drive and close the software. Now you can use this USB to reset any Windows admin password on other computers.

Step 2: Boot your locked computer from the USB flash drive.

1. Plug the USB flash drive into your Windows 11 computer. Hit or tab F12 key repeatedly while pressing the power button of the computer.

2. When the Boot Menu comes out, choose your USB flash drive and then press Enter. The computer will boot from the USB flash drive. (Step-by-step guide about how to boot computer from USB.)

Step 3: Reset any Windows 11 user account password with a few clicks.

1. When the computer successfully boots from USB, Windows Password Rescuer Personal will run and load your Windows 11 user accounts details.

2. Click your Windows 11 OS.

3. Click your local administrator account.

4. Click “Reset Password” button. Select “Yes” on a confirmation message.

5. The administrator password will be removed and shown “Blank”.

6. Click “Reboot”. When a confirmation message pops up, unplug the USB flash drive first and then click “Yes”.

7. PC reboots and loads Windows 11 normally. On the login screen, select the administrator to sign in without password.