How to Get into Laptop If I Forgot My Password Windows 11/10

Can you get into laptop if you forgot the password?

If you forget the password on a Windows laptop, gaining access to your PC can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. The operating system generally locks you out to protect your data, but there are a few ways to regain access. For example, if you’ve set up security questions or linked a Microsoft account, you might be able to reset your password online or through prompts during login. Alternatively, advanced recovery options like booting from a recovery disk or using third-party tools may help reset the password.

Keep in mind, these methods vary depending on the version of Windows you’re using. However, it’s essential to be cautious—some methods can result in data loss or may require technical expertise. The best approach is to prevent this situation by using password management techniques and creating recovery options in advance.

How to get into laptop if I forgot my password on Windows

Losing access to your laptop due to a forgotten password can be frustrating, but there are several methods to regain access. Whether you’re using a local account or a Microsoft account, these methods can help you reset or bypass the password and get back to your work.

Way 1. Use a password reset disk

Option 1. Try Windows password reset USB (if you created one)

If you created a password reset disk or USB drive before forgetting your password, this is the easiest way to regain access. Simply insert the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.

Step 1. On the login screen, select "Reset password".

Step 2. As a result, you will be presented with the "Password Reset Wizard" window. Progress further by clicking on the "Next" button.

Step 3. Within the newly opened window, you will need to select the specific password reset disk that corresponds to your system. Once you have made the selection, proceed by clicking on "Next".

Step 4. Now, it is time to create a new password. Enter your desired password, ensuring accuracy, and confirm it by re-entering it. To continue, click on the "Next" button. Allow the process to complete, and when done, click on "Finish" to exit the window.

Option 2. Turn to professional password reset USB

If you didn’t create your own password reset disk, there are third-party tools available that can help. Some software can create a bootable USB even after you have forgotten the password to help reset or bypass the password.

A professional password reset USB tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant can help you regain access quickly and easily.Itis a powerful disk management tool designed for various tasks, including partition resizing, disk cloning, and OS migration. One of its standout features is the password reset function, which allows users to reset forgotten Windows passwords using a bootable USB drive.

Step 1. Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant on a functioning Windows computer. Connect a USB drive to this computer. Launch the AOMEI software and navigate to "Tools" and "Reset Windows Password" on the main interface.

Step 2. Click "Next" to confirm creating a WinPE bootable media.

Step 3. Select the target USB drive and click "Proceed".

Step 4. Note that the USB drive will be formatted during the process. If you have backed up essential data or there is no critical information on it, click "Yes" to proceed.

Step 5. Insert the password reset USB into the Windows computer that requires password resetting. Adjust the boot order in the computer's BIOS to prioritize booting from the USB drive.

Step 6. Once the computer boots from the USB, this tool will launch automatically. Click "Reset Password" and select the target operating system. Then, click "Next".

Step 7. Choose the account for which you want to reset the password and decide whether you want to remove or reset the account password. Select "Reset Account Password" and click "Next".

Step 8. In the "Reset Password" window, enter the new password and click "Yes" to confirm the changes. 

Way 2. Reset Microsoft account password (for accounts linked to Microsoft)

If you’re using a Microsoft account to log into your laptop, you can easily reset your password online. This is a great option if you forgot your Microsoft password but still have access to the email linked to your account.

Step 1. Commence by accessing the Microsoft password reset page from a different device.

Step 2. Input the email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account, the same credentials you had initially set. Afterward, click on the "Next" option.

Step 3. Subsequently, a prompt will appear, requesting identity verification. Follow the steps to successfully complete the verification process.

Step 4. Then, you will gain the capability to input a fresh password, thereby initiating the process to reset the forgotten password.

Way 3. Reset local account password using safe mode

If you’re using a local account and need to reset your password without a password reset disk, safe mode can be an effective solution.

Step 1. Initiate the process by restarting your computer. As the Dell logo emerges, press the F8 key repetitively to access the Advanced Boot Options.

Step 2. Opt for "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" within the Advanced Boot Options menu. Confirm your choice by pressing the "Enter" key.

Step 3. On the subsequent login screen, an administrator account will be presented. Click on it to gain access without requiring a password.

Step 4. Within the Command Prompt window, you can reset your password using the following command: net user [username] [new password].

Step 4. Once the message "The command completed successfully" is displayed, your password reset is accomplished. Then, you can log in to your laptop using the newly configured password.

Way 4. Using Windows installation media (USB or disc)

Another method for resetting your password is using Windows installation media. This requires a bootable USB or disc with Windows installation files.

Step 1. Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows installation disk from it.

Step 2. Boot your laptop from this bootable USB.

Step 3. At the Windows Setup screen, click the "Next" button.

Step 4. When you see "Install Now" on the new screen, click on "Repair your computer" in the lower left corner.

Step 5. Select "Troubleshoot > Reset this PC".

Step 6. Click "Remove everything" to delete your personal information entirely.

Step 7. Follow the prompts to choose the options according to your needs.

Step 8. Finally, click on "Reset" to begin factory resetting your PC without a password.

Way 5. Factory reset (last resort)

If all else fails, you can perform a factory reset, but this will erase all your files, programs, and settings, essentially restoring your laptop to its original state. It should only be used as a last resort when other methods have failed.

Step 1. In the bottom-right corner of the login screen, press the Restart option and hold the Shift key at the same time.

Step 2. When Windows 10 reboots, you will be brought to Windows recovery mode. Click the Troubleshoot option to proceed.

Step 3. Then click the Reset this PC option in the Troubleshoot window.

Step 4. Later, you will see two options: Keep my files and Remove everything. Select one as you wish.

Step 5. If you choose Remove everything, you'll need to select either Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive.

Step 6. Finally, click on the Reset button to start the reset process. This may take more than one hour. After the process is complete, you will see a setup window. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.

Conclusion

How to get into laptop if I forgot my password on Windows 10/11? This article explores different ways to access a laptop without a password, allowing users to choose the most suitable method for their situation. For local account users, AOMEI Partition Assistant is the recommended solution. With its intuitive graphical interface, this software enables users to create a Windows password reset USB, even if the password has been forgotten.

Additionally, a Server Edition is available for Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012(R2), 2008(R2), and 2003, providing a reliable solution for server password management.