How to Reset a Forgotten Windows 10 or 11 Password

Forgot your Windows password? The fix depends on whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account.

---

Method 1: Microsoft Account — Reset Online (Easiest)

If you log in with a Microsoft account (email address):

1. On the login screen click I forgot my PIN or try a wrong password → Forgot password?
2. Go to: account.live.com/password/reset
3. Enter your email → verify via SMS or backup email
4. Set new password → sign in

This works even if you can't get into Windows.

---

Method 2: Local Account — Security Questions

If you set up security questions when creating the account:

1. On the login screen enter a wrong password
2. Click Reset password (appears after failed attempt)
3. Answer security questions
4. Set new password

---

Method 3: Reset from Another Administrator Account

If another admin account exists on the PC:

# List all local users
Get-LocalUser | Select-Object Name, Enabled, PasswordRequired

# Reset password for specific user
$newPass = ConvertTo-SecureString "NewPassword123!" -AsPlainText -Force
Set-LocalUser -Name "Username" -Password $newPass

# Or via CMD (run as admin)
net user Username NewPassword123!

---

Method 4: Recovery Mode + CMD (Local Account)

For local accounts when no other method works:

1. Boot from Windows 11 USB installer
2. On language selection screen: Shift + F10 → CMD opens
3. Replace Ease of Access button with CMD:

move C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe.bak
copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe

4. Restart normally, on login screen click Ease of Access button → CMD opens
5. Reset password:

net user YourUsername NewPassword123!

6. After login, restore the original file:

move C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe.bak C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe

---

Method 5: Enable Hidden Administrator Account

# Boot from USB, open CMD (Shift+F10)
net user administrator /active:yes

# Restart, log in as "Administrator" (no password)
# Then reset other account passwords from there

---

Prevent Future Lockouts

# Set up a password hint
# Control Panel → User Accounts → Manage your account → Create a password hint

# Add security questions (local account)
Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → Password → Add security questions

# Create a password reset disk (USB)
# Control Panel → User Accounts → Create a password reset disk

---

Summary

Microsoft account: reset at account.live.com. Local account with security questions: click Reset password on login screen. If you have admin access: net user username password. Without access: boot from USB and use the utilman.exe method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Password reset never deletes files or applications. Only encrypted files (BitLocker, EFS) may become inaccessible — which is why you should have a recovery key.

My account is linked to Microsoft but I have no internet — what do I do?

You need internet to reset a Microsoft account password. If offline, try connecting via ethernet or mobile hotspot. If truly impossible, you need the USB method which only works for local accounts.

Can I reset a password without a USB drive?

Only if you have another admin account on the PC or can access account.live.com from another device.