How to reset account password from Lock screen on Windows 11

On Windows 11, if you forget your account password, you don’t have to worry like in the old days since the system offers a straightforward option to reset the password, no matter the account type, including a local or a Microsoft account.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to reset the password of your Windows 11 account, whether you are using a Microsoft account or a traditional local account without a reset disk. The instructions also work to change the password for a standard or administrator account.

Reset Microsoft account password on Windows 11

To reset the password of a Microsoft account on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Sign-in screen on Windows 11.

2. Click on “Sign-in options” (if applicable).

3. Click the “Microsoft account password” button.

4. Click the “I forgot my password” option.

   

5. Choose the verification option, including secondary email or authenticator app.

6. Click the Get code button (if you selected the email option).

   

7. Confirm the code you received in your recovery email account.

   

8. Click the Next button.

9. Create a new password.

   

10. Click the Next button.

11. Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, you will regain access to your account, but changing your password will also change the password you use to check your emails online with the same Microsoft account.

Alternatively, you can reset your password online using the Microsoft account recovery process.

Reset local account password on Windows 11

Windows 11 inherits a recovery mechanism from Windows 10 that lets you reset your local account password without having to resource to workarounds, and it works very similarly to the Microsoft account recovery process.

If you still have access to your account, you should update your local account with security questions, which makes it possible to regain access to your account after you’re locked out.

If you’re already locked out of your account and didn’t add security questions, you can use this advanced workaround to reset your password.

To reset the local account password on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Sign-in screen.

2. Click on “Sign-in options” (if applicable).

3. Type the wrong password once in the Sign-in screen and click the OK button.

4. Click the “Reset password” option.

   

5. Confirm the three security questions.

   

6. Reset your Windows 11 account password and press Enter to complete the process.

Once you complete the steps, the password will be updated, the account will open, and moving forward, you will need to use the new password to access your account.