How to reset forgotten password on Windows 11

UPDATED 6/22/2023: On a Windows 11 setup configured with a local account, at one point or another, you may lose access to the desktop for many reasons, including because you may have forgotten your password.

Although without a password, you typically cannot sign in to your Windows 11 account. A workaround on virtually every version of Windows allows you to regain control of the computer and reset the password to regain access to your account.

If you use a Microsoft account or configure the security questions on a local account, you can use these instructions. Also, this method works on Windows 11 with a local account on installations without encryption. If you use encryption (such as BitLocker), you will need the original password to access the account. Otherwise, you may lose your data.

This guide will teach you the steps to reset a forgotten password and recover your account on Windows 11.

Reset account password without logging in on Windows 11

To bypass the sign-in screen to reset your Windows 11 local account password, use these steps:

Start the computer with Windows 11 USB bootable media.

Quick note: To start your device with an installation media, you may need to change the UEFI settings. This process usually requires pressing one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), the ESC, or the Delete key. However, you should visit your PC manufacturer’s support website for more accurate instructions.
Use the “Shift + F10” keyboard shortcut on the Setup page to open Command Prompt.
Type the following command to move from the X:Sources folder to the root folder of your Windows 11 installation and press Enter:

C:

In the command, we use C: because it’s usually the drive letter to access the hard drive after booting the device with USB, but you may need to play around to find the correct drive letter. You can confirm the location using the dir command. You’re in the correct location if the result shows the “Programs Files” and “Windows” folders.
Type the following command to navigate to the System32 folder and press Enter:

Cd Windows\System32
Type the following commands to replace the Utility Manager button with direct access to Command Prompt from the Sign-in screen and press Enter (on each line):

ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak

ren cmd.exe utilman.exe
Type the following command to restart the computer normally and press Enter:

wpeutil reboot
In the Sign-in screen, click the Accessibility button in the bottom-right corner to open Command Prompt.
Type the following command to enable the built-in Administrator account on Windows 11, and then press Enter:

net user Administrator /active:yes
Click the Power button in the bottom-right corner and select the Restart option.
In the Sign-in screen, select the Administrator account.
Open Start.
Search for Computer Management and click the top result to open the app.
Expand the Local Users and Groups branch.
Expand the Users branch.
Right-click the account to reset the forgotten password and select the Set password option.
Confirm the new password.
Click the OK button.
Sign out from the Administrator account.
Sign back in using the account with the new password.
Restart the computer using the Windows 11 USB bootable media again.
Use the “Shift + F10” keyboard shortcut on the Setup page to open Command Prompt.
Type the following command to move to the root folder of the Windows 11 installation and press Enter:

C:
Type the following command to navigate to the System32 folder and press Enter:

Cd Windows\System32
Type the following commands to replace the Utility Manager button with direct access to Command Prompt from the Sign-in screen and press Enter (on each line):

ren utilman.exe cmd.exe

ren utilman.exe.bak utilman.exe
Type the following command to disable the Administrator account and press Enter:

net user Administrator /active:no
Type the following command to restart the computer normally and press Enter:

wpeutil reboot