How to recover password in Windows 11

How to recover password in Windows 11

Have you lost your Windows user password? In the following sections we describe all the methods you can use to recover your password.

Recover a Microsoft account password

We’ll first cover the steps you need to follow once you’ve linked a Microsoft account to your user. Regarding this type of accountar, we need to make some relevant clarifications.

  1. The Microsoft account has its own password. Once you link a local user to an online account, it loses the original password.
  2. During linking, Windows will prompt you to create a PIN. It is important to understand that to log in with your user, you must enter the personal number that you created when linking the Microsoft account to your user.

So, on the one hand, you have a password to access the Microsoft account and on the other hand, you have a PIN to log in to your Windows 11 user. You can use the following guidelines to reset the latter.

If you entered your PIN incorrectly, a titled link will appear below the text box I forgot my PIN. Click on it to continue.

Forgotten password with a Microsoft accountForgotten password with a Microsoft account

Once the pop-up window loads, enter your Microsoft account password. Again, this is different from the PIN you normally use to log into your account.

Enter your Microsoft account passwordEnter your Microsoft account password

If for some reason you can’t remember your Microsoft account password either, click the link Forgot password? and follow the instructions.

Recover Microsoft profile passwordRecover Microsoft profile password

After you’ve entered the correct password for your account, choose a method to recover your PIN. Most of the time, Microsoft will send you an email with a verification code.

verify identityverify identity

Enter the code you received in the mail and click the button to confirm Verify.

Enter verification codeEnter verification code

Click on the button Continue.

Create a new PINCreate a new PIN

Now it’s time to add your new PIN. Use both text fields to create and confirm your new personal number. When you’re done, click OK.

Create a personal account numberCreate a personal account number

Try to remember the new PIN from now on. Windows will automatically log you in with your username.

Login with the new PINLogin with the new PIN

The next time you’re on the lock screen, sign in with the new password you just created.

Recover your password with another user

The second way to recover your password is the use of a second user. Of course, you must have full access to the additional account and it must have administrator rights.

If you have such a second user, press the Windows + R keys at the same time and enter the command netplwizinto the text field. Click on Okto continue.

Open user managerOpen user manager

In Account Manager, select the user whose password you forgot. Then click the button Reset Password.

Reset another user's passwordReset another user’s password

Enter the new password and confirm it in the pop-up window. Click on the button Okto save your changes.

Enter a new passwordEnter a new password

Simply log out and enter the new password you set up for your account.

Reset your password if you only have a local account

Finally, there is a third possibility in this guide: Your computer only has a local user and you can no longer remember the password. In this case, you can reset the password after entering it incorrectly. Just click Reset password.

Forgot local account passwordForgot local account password

During the setup of your computer, the installation wizard asked you some questions, which you answered. They will now help you to reset your password. Enter the correct answer to each question and follow the steps in the wizard to set a new password.

Answering security questionsAnswering security questions

It’s also possible that you created your account through the setup application. In this case, your only solution is to remember the password thanks to the hint that you wrote yourself.

Password hintPassword hint

If you don’t remember the answers to the questions or the hint doesn’t help you, Unfortunately, there is no easy way to log into your computer. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some recommendations:

  • Use a Linux distribution that runs live and requires no installation to store your important files.
  • Use another PC to create a bootable USB for reinstalling Windows 11. If you already have a backup of your documents in the cloud, you can start here.
  • If Windows asks you to create a new password during installation, enter one that is secure and easy to remember. On the other hand, answer the security questions with real words or phrases. This will make it easier for you to regain access to your user if you find yourself in this situation again.

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