How to Reset Windows 11 Password without Logging In

Losing access to your Windows 11 account due to a forgotten password can be stressful. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to reset your Windows 11 password without logging in. Whether you prefer to use built-in tools or external methods, this guide will walk you through the available options to quickly regain access to your computer:

1. Use Password Reset Tool - Easy for all users
2. Use Password Reset Disk - Moderate difficulty but requires prior setup
3. Use Local Account - Requires another administrator account
4. Use A Microsoft Account - May be subject to Microsoft account recovery policies
5. Use Security Questions - Requires prior configuration
6. Use Command Prompt in Safe Mode - More suitable for advanced users

1. Use AOMEI Partition Assistant Password Reset Tool

One of the most effective ways to reset your Windows 11 password is to use the password reset feature of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. This tool allows you to create a bootable USB or CD that can help you reset your password without logging in.

No data loss, no command line required, just a few simple steps, you can quickly create a password reset USB on any running Windows PC and use it on other Windows OS computers.

Stage  1. Create Windows Password Reset USB

Step 1. Install AOMEI Partition Assistant on a running Windows computer. In the main interface, click Tool>Reset Windows Password.

Step 2. Click "Next" to create a bootable USB. Select the type of media you want to create:

• USB boot device: Create a bootable USB device.
• Burn to CD/DVD: Create a bootable CD/DVD.
• export ISO file: Use this method to make a bootable ISO file.

Step 3. Click "Proceed" to create the bootable media. This process will format the USB drive or CD, so make sure to back up any important data on it.

Stage 2. Boot from USB/CD and reset password

Wait for the WinPE bootable USB drive to be created. And change the boot order. Then insert the bootable media into your locked Windows 11 computer.

Step 1. Restart your computer and press the appropriate key (usually F2, F12, Esc, or Del) to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. Find the boot options and set the USB or CD as the first boot device.

Step 2. After booting from the USB/CD, the AOMEI Partition Assistant interface will load.

Step 3. Select the "Password Reset Wizard" option from the main menu.

Step 4. You will see a list of user accounts on your computer. Select the account for which you want to reset the password.

Step 5. Follow the prompts to reset your password. You can choose to set a new password. Confirm your choice and click "Yes".

Restart your computer normally and log in with your new password.

2. Use a password reset disk

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it to easily reset your password. The "Forgot Password Wizard" feature is available in all Windows versions, but the password reset disk can only be used on the same computer you created it before.

Stage  1. Create a password reset disk

Step 1. Press the " Enter " key after inserting the password reset disk and type "Create a password reset disk" in the "Start" search bar.

Step 2. Wait for the "Forgotten Password Wizard" to appear and select "Next".

Step 3. Press Next after selecting the target disk. Continue to enter the current password and press Next.

Stage 2. Reset Windows 11 password without logging in using a password reset disk

Step 1. Insert the password reset disk into the locked Windows 11 computer. At the login screen, intentionally enter an incorrect password.

Step 2. After the failed attempt, a message will appear stating that the password is incorrect with a "Reset Password" link. Follow the Password Reset Wizard. Click the "Reset Password" link.

Step 3. The Password Reset Wizard will open. Follow the prompts to select the password reset disk.

Step 4. Enter a new password and password hint. Click Next to complete the process, and then click Finish to exit the wizard.

Return to the login screen and access your account using your new password.

3. Use a local account

If you have another local account on the same Windows 11 device, you can use that account to log in and reset the password of the locked account.

Step 1. Log in to an alternate local account: Start the computer and log in using another local account with administrative privileges.

Step 2. Open User Accounts: Press Win + R, type control userpasswords2, and then press Enter.

Step 3. Change the account type: Click the locked account and select Change account type. If you haven't already done so, change your account type to Administrator.

Step 4. Reset your password: Return to the Settings menu and select Sign-in options. Click Password, then Change to set a new password for the locked account.

Sign out of your current account, then sign in to the previously locked account with your new password.

4. Using a Microsoft account

If you sign in with a Microsoft account, you can reset your password online.

Step 1. Click the I forgot my password option on the Windows sign-in screen, then start the Microsoft account password reset.

Step 2. Enter the email address associated with your Microsoft account, then click Next.

Step 3. Select your preferred verification method (email or phone) to verify your identity and follow the prompts to receive a security code.

Step 4. Enter the code sent to your email or phone, then click Next.

Step 5. After verification, you will be prompted to create a new password.

Return to your Windows 11 device and sign in with your new password.

5. Using security questions

If you have set security questions for your local account, you can answer them to reset your password.

Step 1. Deliberately enter the wrong password on the login screen to trigger the security question prompt and click Reset Password.

Step 2. Provide the correct answers to the security questions you set previously. Click "Next" after answering the questions.

Step 3. Once your answers are verified, you will be prompted to set a new password.

Log in to your Windows 11 account with the new password.

6. Use Command Prompt in Safe Mode

If you are familiar with command line tools, you can use Command Prompt in Safe Mode to reset your password. However, this method is more complicated, so please avoid entering the wrong command.

Follow the steps to using CMD for Windows 11 password reset:

Step 1. Restart your computer and repeatedly press F8 or Shift + F8 until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.

Step 2. Select "Command Prompt" from the list.

Step 3. Enter the following commands one by one and press the “ Enter ” key:

• c: (Replace it with your own system drive letter. If it is D drive, you need to enter “d:”)
• cd windows\system32
• ren sethc.exe sethc01.exe (rename sethc.exe to sethc01.exe)
• copy cmd.exe sethc.exe (copy cmd.exe to sethc.exe)

Step 4. Enter “ wpeutil reboot ” to quickly restart your Windows 11 computer.

Step 5. When you see the user password input interface again, press the “ Shift ” key continuously to open the CMD window, enter "net user username password" (for example, net user admin 123456) and press “ Enter ”.

You should see a message confirming that the command was successful. Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer normally. Log in with the new password you set.

Conclusion

Resetting your Windows 11 password without logging in is not as difficult as it seems. With multiple methods available – from AOMEI Partition Assistant to Password Reset Disk and Microsoft Account options – you can easily regain access to your system. Choose the method that best suits your situation and follow the steps to effectively reset your password.

FAQs on How to Reset Windows 11 Password Without Login

1. How to reset PIN on Windows 11 without logging in?

Unfortunately, resetting PIN without logging in is not directly supported. If you log in with a Microsoft account, you may need to reset your Microsoft account password.

2. What is the best Windows 11 password reset tool?

Some of the best Windows 11 password reset tools include AOMEI Partition Assistant and PassFab 4WinKey, which offer user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive password recovery capabilities.

3. Is there a free Windows 10 password reset tool?

Yes, tools like Offline NT Password and Registry Editor are free and can help reset Windows 10 and 11 passwords, although they may require some technical knowledge to use effectively.