How to Reset Your Password in Windows 11

Forgetting your Windows 11 password can be frustrating — especially when you’re locked out and need to access important files or complete urgent work. Thankfully, Microsoft offers several ways to reset or recover your password depending on the type of account you use: a Microsoft account, a local account, or a PIN/Windows Hello login.

If you’re here reading this guide, you’re likely stuck at the login screen or unable to sign into your PC. The good news? Resetting your Windows 11 password is straightforward once you know the right steps.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through every reliable method to reset your Windows 11 password, including options for Microsoft accounts, local accounts, and advanced recovery situations.

Let’s get started!

First: Identify What Type of Account You’re Using

Before resetting your password, check if you have:

Microsoft Account (Email-based login)

You log in using an email address (e.g., @outlook.com, @gmail.com, etc.).
Password reset happens online via Microsoft’s website.

Local Account (Offline username/password)

You log in using just a username — no email.
Password reset happens locally or with a reset disk.

Windows Hello Login (PIN, face, fingerprint)

PIN/Hello works only after signing in once with your main password.

If you don’t remember which one you use, look at the login screen:

• If it shows an email → Microsoft account
• If it shows only a name → Local account

Now, choose the method that matches your situation.

1. Reset Your Microsoft Account Password (Easiest Method)

If you use a Microsoft account to sign in, resetting your password is very easy — even from another device.

1. Go to the official Microsoft password reset page:
   https://account.live.com/password/reset
2. Select “I forgot my password”.
3. Enter your Microsoft account email.
4. Verify your identity using:
   • Email code
   • Phone number
   • Authenticator app
5. Enter the security code you receive.
6. Create a new password.
7. Restart your Windows 11 PC and log in with the new password.

Why this works:

Your Microsoft account syncs online, so changing the password updates your Windows login automatically.

2. Reset Password for Local Account (Windows 11 Password Reset from Sign-in Screen)

If you’re using a local account, Windows allows you to reset the password directly from the lock screen — but only if you created security questions earlier.

1. Enter your password incorrectly once.
2. Click Reset password on the lock screen.
3. Answer your security questions.
4. Enter a new password.
5. Log in normally.

If you didn’t set security questions, use Fix #3 or #4.

3. Reset a Local Account Password Using Another Admin Account

If your PC has multiple user accounts, and at least one has administrative rights, use it to reset the locked account’s password.

1. Log in with the other admin account.
2. Press Windows + X → choose Computer Management.
3. Navigate to:

Local Users and Groups → Users

4. Right-click the account you want to reset.
5. Choose Set Password.
6. Enter a new password.
7. Restart and log into the account.

This works for all local accounts on the system.

4. Reset Your Password Using a Password Reset Disk (Local Account Only)

If you created a password reset disk earlier, resetting the password takes just seconds.

1. Insert the password reset USB drive.
2. Click Reset password on the login screen.
3. Follow the Password Reset Wizard.
4. Enter a new password.
5. Log in.

Unfortunately, this won’t work unless the disk was created beforehand.

5. Reset Windows Hello PIN (Even If You Forgot Your Password)

Windows Hello offers its own reset mechanism.

Steps from the login screen:

1. Click I forgot my PIN below the PIN entry box.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account password OR follow the identity verification steps.
3. Create a new PIN.

Your PIN is now reset and ready to use.

6. Use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to Reset Password (Advanced)

If you’re completely locked out and nothing else works, you can reset your password from the Windows Recovery Environment.

1. On the login screen, hold Shift and click:
   Power → Restart
2. In WinRE, go to:
   Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt
3. Run the following command to enable the built-in admin account:

net user administrator /active:yes

4. Restart your PC.
5. Log in using the Administrator account.
6. Open Computer Management → Local Users and Groups → Users.
7. Right-click your locked account → Set Password.
8. Enter a new password.

Finally, disable the emergency admin account:

net user administrator /active:no

7. Reset Password by Reinstalling Windows (Last Resort)

If all else fails and you’re unable to recover access:

1. From the login screen → Shift + Restart.
2. Go to Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.
3. Choose:
   • Keep my files, or
   • Remove everything

Resetting Windows removes the password issue entirely.

Wrapping Up

Resetting your Windows 11 password may seem intimidating when you’re locked out, but Microsoft provides multiple effective methods — from online recovery to local password resets and even advanced command-line tools. Whether you use a Microsoft account, a local account, or Windows Hello, you’ll find a solution that works for your setup.