How to Reset a Forgotten Windows 11 Password (Complete Guide 2026)

You just started your PC and you’re completely locked out. You type your password, again and again… nothing. This moment is frustrating, sometimes even distressing when you have important files on that computer. Take a breath. This guide is here for you.

Forgetting your Windows 11 password is one of the most common computer problems in the world — and one of the most poorly documented, since solutions vary depending on each PC’s configuration. Before reinstalling everything or panicking, know that several reliable methods exist, depending on your situation. This guide explains not only how to do it, but also why it works.

Essential First Step: Identify Your Account Type

This is the question nobody asks at the start — and yet it’s the one that determines which method to use.

You have a Microsoft account if:

• You log in with an email address (e.g. firstname@outlook.com or firstname@gmail.com)
• You have an account linked to OneDrive, Xbox, or Microsoft 365

You have a local account if:

• You created a user with just a name (e.g. “Kevin”) without an email
• You never entered an email address when creating the account

💡 How to check? On the login screen, look below your username. If an email address appears, it’s a Microsoft account. Otherwise, it’s a local account.

This distinction is fundamental: the methods are not the same, and using the wrong approach will waste your time.

First: Basic Checks (Often Overlooked)

Before going further, take 30 seconds to verify these points. In many cases, the problem isn’t a forgotten password but an invisible typing error:

• Caps Lock enabled: Is the keyboard indicator light on? Disable it with the Caps Lock key and try again.
• Keyboard language: If your keyboard is set to AZERTY but Windows is configured for QWERTY (or vice versa), the letters you type don’t match what was registered. Check the language indicator at the bottom right of the screen.
• User account: If multiple accounts exist on the PC, make sure you’re on the right one.
• Space or invisible character: An extra space at the end of a password is a classic mistake.

🤔 Human perspective: It’s easy to feel foolish in this situation. Yet even IT professionals have spent 20 minutes on a “forgotten” password before realising Caps Lock was on. It’s not a matter of intelligence — it’s just that stress makes you lose your reflexes.

Method 1: Reset via Microsoft Account (The Simplest)

For whom? Users with a Microsoft account (email login)

Why does it work? Your Windows password is actually your Microsoft account password, stored on Microsoft’s servers. The reset therefore happens remotely, just like for any online account.

Steps:

1. On the login screen, click “Forgot password?” (below the input field)
2. Windows opens the browser or displays a Microsoft form
3. Enter the identifier associated with the account: email address, phone number, or Skype account
4. Choose how to receive the verification code (SMS or email)
5. Enter the received code
6. Create a new strong password (see tips at the end of this article)
7. Log in normally

⚠️ Common issue: You no longer have access to the recovery phone number or email? This is the most blocking scenario. In this case, Microsoft offers an account recovery form to fill in with information proving you are the owner. It takes time, but it’s the official route: account.live.com/acsr

Method 2: Log In with a PIN Code

For whom? Users who have set up a PIN on their PC (very common on Windows 11)

Why does it work? The PIN is a separate code from the password, stored locally on the device. You can therefore forget them independently — or conversely, remember the PIN while having forgotten the password.

Steps:

1. On the login screen, click “Sign-in options” (below the password field)
2. Click the icon that looks like a numeric keypad (PIN)
3. Enter your 4 or 6 digit PIN
4. Once logged in, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options
5. Click Password, then Change
6. Follow the steps to set a new password

💡 If you’ve also forgotten your PIN, click “I forgot my PIN” on the login screen. Windows will ask you to authenticate via your Microsoft account to reset it.

Method 3: Use the Command Prompt in Safe Mode

For whom? Users with a local account, without a recovery disk

Level: Intermediate — follow the steps carefully

Why does it work? Safe mode launches Windows with a minimum of active services. Under Windows 11, there is a built-in Administrator account (disabled by default but accessible in certain configurations) that allows intervention on other user accounts via system commands.

⚠️ Important ethical warning: This method bypasses password protection. It is perfectly legal if you are the owner of the computer. Using it on a PC that doesn’t belong to you is illegal and may be considered unauthorised computer access.

Steps:

1. On the login screen, hold down the Shift (⇧) key
2. Click the power icon, then click Restart (while holding Shift)
3. In the blue menu that appears, go to:
   • Troubleshoot
   • Advanced options
   • Startup Settings
   • Restart
4. At restart, press the 4 key to start in Safe Mode
5. If an Administrator account appears without a password, click on it
6. Once on the desktop, open the Start menu, type cmd, right-click and select Run as administrator
7. Type the following command to see existing accounts:

   net user

8. Note the exact name of the account whose password you want to change
9. Then type:

   net user ACCOUNT_NAME NewPassword

Example:

   net user Sophie MyPassword2026!

10. Restart normally and log in with the new password

⚠️ Choose a genuinely strong password: at least 10 characters, mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols. Avoid 123456, your first name, or your date of birth — these are the first ones tried in case of unauthorised access.

🤔 Critical perspective: This method highlights a reality that is often ignored — Windows 11 is not as secure as people think when someone has physical access to the machine. If someone has your computer in their hands, they can potentially bypass your password. This is why disk encryption (BitLocker) is a real additional layer of protection. We discuss this at the end of this article.

Method 4: Use a Password Reset Disk

For whom? Users who had the good foresight to create this disk before the problem occurred

Why does it work? Windows allows you to create a recovery USB key in advance, linked to your account. In the event of a forgotten password, this key contains a “proof of identity” that Windows accepts to let you redefine your password.

Steps:

1. Plug the recovery USB key into your PC
2. On the login screen, after a failed attempt, click “Reset password”
3. The reset wizard opens automatically
4. Select the USB key from the list
5. Set a new password and a hint
6. Log in

💡 Don’t have a recovery disk? Create one now, once access is regained. In the Windows search bar, type “password reset disk” and follow the wizard. All you need is a USB key with a few MB of space.

Method 5: Reset Windows 11 While Keeping Your Files

For whom? All users, when no other method works

Warning: This method reinstalls Windows. Your personal files (documents, photos, videos) are kept if you choose the right option, but installed applications will be removed.

Steps:

1. On the login screen, hold Shift (⇧) and click Restart
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC
3. Choose “Keep my files”
4. Choose how to reinstall Windows (cloud download or local reinstall)
5. Follow the instructions through to the end (the process can take 30 to 60 minutes)

🤔 Human perspective: Getting to this step can feel like a failure. It isn’t. Sometimes a clean reinstall is even an opportunity to start fresh: fewer unnecessary applications, fewer cluttered files, a faster PC. Your documents are there — that’s what matters most.

Beware of Third-Party Software Promising to “Crack” Windows

A quick Google search will offer dozens of tools like “Password Reset Tool”, “Windows Unlocker”, etc. The reality:

• 90% of these tools are scams or malware vectors: by installing them, you potentially give full access to your PC to third parties.
• Some are keyloggers (they record everything you type, including your banking passwords).
• Others ask you to pay before displaying a result… that doesn’t work.

The official solutions described in this article cover 99% of situations. If they’re not enough, consult a trusted technician — not an unknown piece of software downloaded in 3 clicks.

Going Further: Truly Protecting Your PC

Enable BitLocker (Disk Encryption)

BitLocker encrypts the contents of your hard drive. Even if someone physically removes the drive or attempts Method 3 described above, they cannot access your data without the encryption key. To enable it: Control Panel > System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.

⚠️ Save your BitLocker recovery key in your Microsoft account or on an external device. Without it, even you won’t be able to access your data if something goes wrong.

Use a Password Manager

Don’t memorise your passwords — let a secure tool do it for you:

• Bitwarden — free, open source, highly recommended
• 1Password — paid, excellent for families
• Google Password Manager — convenient if you’re in the Google ecosystem

A good manager lets you have a unique and strong password for every service, without having to memorise it.

Configure Alternative Sign-In Options

In Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, enable:

• A PIN that’s easy to remember (but different from your password)
• Facial recognition (Windows Hello) if your PC has a compatible camera
• An up-to-date recovery email address and phone number

❓ FAQ — The Questions You’re Really Asking