If you have a problem with your Windows 11 PC or if you are preparing it for sale, it is crucial to reset the system to factory settings. But what if you forget your administrator password? There is no reason to worry. This article outlines how to reset Windows 11 to factory without password.
Usually, factory resetting a PC would be the last resort as it wipes all data and causes permanent data loss.
However, there are some scenarios you need to do a factory reset. For example, if your system is running slow or experiencing glitches, a factory reset can restore it to its original state, often resolving performance issues caused by confusing software or conflicts.
Moreover, factory resetting a computer can erase all your data before selling or donating your device to safeguard your privacy. If critical system files become corrupted and cause persistent errors or crashes, a factory reset can restore these files to their original state, potentially solving the problem as well.
But what if you forgot the password and are locked out of your Windows 11 PC? How can you reset Windows 11 to factory without password? Let's explore how to achieve this goal.
There are two situations for Windows 11 factory reset without password: when you log into your Windows 11 PC and when you are locked out. Let's delve into these two scenarios separately.
If you can log into the computer with other accounts, there is a way how to factory reset Windows 11 without password.
You can factory reset Windows 11 without password using Settings. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.
Step 2. Go to System > Recovery. Under Recovery options, select the Reset PC option.
Step 3. Choose between Keep my files or Remove everything. "Keep my files" will keep personal files but delete apps and settings. "Remove everything" will delete personal files, apps, and settings.
Step 4. Select Cloud download or Local reinstall to reinstall your Windows 11.
Step 5. Select Just remove my files or Fully Clean the Drive.
Step 6. Review your selections and click Next to continue. When ready, click Reset.
Step 7. The computer will begin the reset process and automatically restart. Allow time for the reset to occur; keep the computer plugged in during this phase.
Step 8. Your computer will reinstall Windows 11 system files. Wait a few minutes for the installation to complete and you will be returned to Windows 11.
If accessing your system isn't feasible, these are three ways to reset Windows 11 to factory without password or even a login. While the process may seem more complicated, following these steps can help lead to a successful factory reset.
When your computer is locked, the lock screen serves as the entry point for a factory reset. This method allows easy access to necessary recovery options without requiring login credentials. For a computer that boots normally but has access locked:
Step 1. Click the power icon on the Windows 11 login screen. Hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart.
Step 2. On the Choose an Option page, select Troubleshoot.
Step 3. Under Troubleshoot, click Reset this PC.
Step 4. You will encounter two options: Keep my files and Remove everything. Select Remove everything.
Step 5. Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall as per your requirement.
Step 6. Select Just remove my files or Fully Clean the Drive.
Step 7. Click Reset and let the computer complete the reset process. Keep the computer on during this time.
Step 8. Once the reset is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PC and access your Windows 11 desktop.
If the previous method doesn't work, using Windows 11 installation media provides an alternative. Here's how to factory reset Windows 11 without password by executing this disk:
Step 1. Download Windows 11 installation media from the official Microsoft website. Prepare an 8GB USB flash drive.
Step 2. Launch the tool, accept the terms, and select Create installation media for another PC. Click Next. Follow the prompts to create the installation USB media.
Step 3. Insert the USB or CD/DVD with Windows 11 installation media into your computer.
Step 4. Turn on the computer and press the F8 key or another designated startup key to access the startup menu. Change the boot order to select boot from your USB.
Step 5. Soon, the Windows installation interface will appear. Select your language and preferences and click Next.
Step 6. Click Install now to reset your Windows 11 PC.
Step 7. Select I don't have a product key.
Step 8. Choose an operating system edition you want to install and click Next.
Step 9. Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) to ensure a reset to factory settings.
Step 10. Select the destination drive for Windows 11 installation. If multiple partitions exist, consider deleting them and recreating them as needed. Select Next to continue.
Installing Windows 11 requires multiple computer restarts. Let the installation proceed during these cycles.
If you find all methods above failed or thought it rather complicated to create a Windows bootable media, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional provides a workaround to perform Windows 11 factory reset without password, especially when you forget your password and cannot log into the computer.
Designed for Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, XP, and Vista, this multifunctional tool's "Reset Windows Password" feature allows you to remove your login password first by creating a Windows password reset disk. You can then access your system with no password and initiate a factory reset on your Windows 11 system from Settings.
The tool has an intuitive interface and step-by-step instructions that do not require advanced command knowledge or computer operation expertise, ensuring that password removal is easy for all users, even beginners.
Preparation:
☞ An empty USB drive to create a password reset disk.
☞ Another functioning computer to download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.
How to reset a computer without password via this magic tool:
Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Click Tools in the top navigation bar and select Reset Windows Password.
Step 2. Click Next to create a WinPE bootable USB.
Step 3. Select the prepared USB flash drive and click Proceed.
Step 4. Check the information and click Yes to confirm.
Step 5. Plug the created USB into the target PC and change the boot drive settings to allow booting from USB.
Step 6. When AOMEI Partition Assistant appears, select Reset Windows Password. Select the target operating system and click Next to continue.
Step 7. Select the specific account whose password you want to reset. Select Remove Account Password and click Next.
After successfully entering the system, you can easily perform a factory reset:
Step 1. Log into your computer and search for Reset this PC in the search bar.
Step 2. Select the relevant result and click Get Started in Windows Settings.
Step 3. Follow the steps in the method above and select Keep my files or Remove everything.
Step 4. Select the option that applies to your situation and follow the instructions to complete the reset.
The methods provided explain how to reset Windows 11 to factory without password, whether you are logged into the system or locked out, with fixes tailored for each situation.
Furthermore, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is not limited to password reset only. It offers tons of features such as disk encryption, free space allocation, OS migration to SSD, disk cloning to HDD/SSD, and disk conversion between MBR and GPT. These features extend its usefulness beyond password management to meet users' various disk and partition needs.
