How to Recover Windows 11 Password for All Users [8 Ways]
This guide covers all possible ways for Windows 11 password recovery, whether you're using a Microsoft account or local account, logged in or locked out.
Jasmin Woods Updated on Apr 7, 2025 5:46 PM
There are various solutions available for recovering Windows 11 access without password.
Forgot your Windows 11 password and don't know what to do? Don't panic — it's possible to recover Windows 11 password even if you don't remember the login credentials.
Whether you're using a local account or Microsoft account, this guide explores different ways on how to recover password in Windows 11. From online password resets to command-line solutions, these Windows 11 password recovery methods ensure you can regain access to your system without losing any personal data.
The Windows Password Recovery tool enables efficient password reset, allowing you to recover a forgotten password on Windows 11 PC or laptop without logging in.
How to recover Windows 11 password for Microsoft & local accounts
If you're completely locked out of your Windows 11 PC — with no access to Microsoft or local account password reset options, Windows Password Recovery provides an efficient solution to help you recover Windows 11 password and regain full access in minutes.
Whether you've lost password to a Microsoft account or a local administrator / guest account, this tool can quickly remove the forgotten password, allowing you to reset a new sign-in password for Windows 11 without needing the original credentials.
More advanced features it offers for Windows 11 password recovery:
- Password removal: Remove forgotten or lost password from Windows 11 / 10 / 8.
- Password recovery: Reset login password to Microsoft / local accounts effortlessly.
- Instant access: Bypass forgotten password to unlock Windows PC in no time.
- Wide compatibility: Works for Windows 11/10/8 and major PC & laptop brands.
Password recovery for Windows 11 local or Microsoft account
Step 1: Create a password reset disk for Windows 11.
Launch the Windows Password Recovery on a spare computer, and hit Start button.
Insert a black USB stick or CD/DVD and select it from the menu; once ready, click the Next button to burn it to a password reset disk for Windows 11.
Note: Keep your device connected until the burning process is done. This formats the USB or CD/DVD, make sure to use an empty one, or you may lose your data.
Step 2: Boot your Windows 11 from the password recovery disk.
Disconnect the reset disk and insert it into the Windows 11 PC you want to recover password.
Then, restart your computer while pressing the right key (often F12, ESC, etc.); this will activate the Windows BIOS Setup menu.
When you enter it, use the arrow keys to select the Boot tab and choose your USB stick or CD/DVD. The Windows 11 will then boot from the password recovery disk automatically.
TIP: Check the following picture to know which key to use on your desktop or laptop. If you still have trouble in changing the boot order, check the links below:
Step 3: Select Windows 11 and choose Reset Account Password mode.
Once reboot, select Windows 11 from the list if you have multiple OS, and click Next.
Select your local or domain account and choose Reset Account Password, then go Next.
Step 4. Create new password for Windows 11 access recovery.
In the pop-up box, enter a new password and confirm with Reset. When it completes, remove the disk and log back into your computer using the new password.
That's how you can recover Windows 11 access without password or data loss. It also helps for Windows 10 password reset if you're locked out.
How to recover Windows 11 login password for Microsoft account
If your computer is linked to a Microsoft account, you can recover your Windows 11 password online or on the sign-in screen directly — no technical skills required. Whether you're locked out or still signed in, here's what to do for Windows 11 password recovery when you forgot your Microsoft account password.
Before recovering Windows 11 password:
- Make sure you remember the email or phone number tied to your Microsoft account.
- Ensure the Windows 11 PC has internet access to sync the new password after reset.
Recover password in Windows 11 on login screen
The "I forgot my password" option on Windows sign-in screen allows you to recover a Windows 11 password without logging in. It works even if you're completely locked out of your computer:
- Power on your Windows 11 computer and choose the Windows account you to recover.
- Enter an incorrect password and click I forgot my password on the sign-in screen,
- Follow the onscreen instructions to verify your identity by your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype ID.
- After verification, click Get code button to get a security code.
- Check your email or text messages for text messages for the code.
- Enter the security code and click Next.
- Create a new password for your Windows 11 Microsoft account.
Once Microsoft confirms the recovery of your Windows 11 password, you're able to sign in back to your account with the new credentials.
Recover Windows 11 sign-in password online
When you're still signed in or have access to another network-linked device, simply visit Microsoft's password reset page to create a new password. Once updated, your recovered new password will sync to your Windows 11 automatically after the next internet connection. Steps to recover login password on Windows 11 online:
- Open a browser and go to official Microsoft Account Recovery website
- Click Sign in and enter your username.
- Under Enter password option, select Forgot password? link.
- When asked, verify your identity by using an alternative email or phone number that you can use to reset your password.
- Click Get code. A security code will be sent to your email or phone.
- Enter the code on the recovery page to confirm your Microsoft account identity.
- Then follow the steps to create a new password and click Next.
After that, Microsoft will update your new sign-in credentials, allowing you to unlock your Windows 11 PC with the recovered password. Note: For security, it may take minutes even days for Microsoft to confirm account password reset.
How to recover forgotten Windows 11 password for local account
If you've forgotten password to a local account on Windows 11 computer, there are a few options to reset your password for access recovery.
Use Windows Security Questions
Microsoft lets local users create security questions during account setup in case you forget your password in the future, which enables easy password recovery on Windows 11 without local account access or any Windows password recovery tools — especially when locked out.
Typically, there's no visible way to update security questions on Windows 11. By using a manual command, you can change your security questions as needed:
- Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box on your computer.
- Enter the following command and then click OK: ms-cxh://setsqsalocalonly.
- In Update your security questions window, enter your local account password.
- Create three security questions and click the Finish button.
Once set, you're able to recover your local account password on Windows 11 sign-in screen by answering the security questions correctly. However, note that this only works when the security questions were created prior to a forgotten or lost password:
- Open your locked Windows 11 computer.
- When the sign-in screen appears, select your local account and enter an incorrect password.
- Press Enter key to activate the Reset Password option.
- Click Reset Password and you'll see the security questions that you've previously created.
- Enter the correct answers carefully and press Enter key to submit.
- In the following prompt, create a new password and enter it again to confirm.
- Then, log in to your local account on Windows 11 after recovering the password.
Use a password reset disk
For local accounts, another way to recover the password to Windows 11 is through a password reset disk. If you have a password reset USB created previously, recovering Windows 11 password from the login screen would be easy. Steps for local account password recovery via a Windows 11 password reset disk:
1. Insert the password reset USB to your locked Windows 11 computer.
2. On the sign-in screen, enter an incorrect password to trigger on Reset password option.
3. Click Reset password link and select Use a password reset disk instead.
4. When it launches the Password Reset Wizard, select your connected USB drive from the list.
5. Proceed with Next and follow the prompts to reset a new password for your local user account.
6. Type the password again to confirm the reset.
After recovery, unplug the USB stick and use the new password to log in to your Windows 11.
Use another admin account
When you still have access to an administrator account, it's easy to reset password for a Windows 11 local user. It works by accessing the Set Password option in Local Users and Groups from the Computer Management console. Here's what to do for recovering Windows 11 password without a reset disk:
1. Start your Windows 11 PC and sign in with another administrator account.
2. Open the Windows Start menu and search for Computer Management.
3. Select Computer Management to run it. Alternatively, you may press the Windows + R shortcut, type compmgmt.msc and press Enter to launch it.
4. Expand Local Users and Groups option and click on Users.
5. Locate the local account you want to recover and right-click to select Set Password option.
6. Follow the prompts to create a new password for your local account.
How to recover password on Windows 11 in Settings while still signed-in
If you're still signed in after forgetting your Windows 11 password, recovering the password in Settings is a straightforward process. Whether you're using a Microsoft or local account, here's how to recover Windows 11 password in Settings when you're already logged in.
Recover password for a Microsoft account
- Open the Settings app on Windows 11 desktop and select Accounts > Sign-in options. Or check the Sign-in options shortcut in blue box directly.
- Select Password > Change. It will ask for your old password to create a new one.
- Click Forgot my current password and follow the onscreen tips to verify your Microsoft account for password recovery.
Recover password for a local account
- In Settings app on your Windows 11, navigate to Accounts > Sign-in options or check the shortcut box Sign-in options.
- Then choose Password > Change and follow the instructions to create a new password.
- In the case you don't remember your original password, select I forgot my password.
- When required, answer the security questions you previously set.
- After verification, enter a new password to secure your Windows 11 system and account.
As long as you reset or change the password successfully, it works instantly the next time you're trying to unlock your Windows 11 PC.
Prevent future password loss
After recovering Windows 11 password, make sure to use a new password that's easy to remember. If necessary, create a password reset disk to prevent access loss in case you forget your password in the future.
FAQs on Windows 11 password recovery
With the options in this guide, recovering password to a Microsoft or local account on Windows 11 can be easy. If you're still confused, explore the following:
Q1 - How to recover the forgotten password on my Windows 11?
If you're linked to a Microsoft account, it's easy to reset your password online and use the new password to recover access to your Windows 11 system.
For a local user, you may answer the security questions on Windows 11 sign-in screen. By verifying your account, you can then recover the password and regain full access. Also, if there's a password reset disk previously created, insert it into your Windows 11 and follow the recovery instructions.
If none of these works, the Windows Password Recovery can be your last sort to remove and reset the forgotten password on your Windows 11 PC easily.
Q2 - Can I recover my Windows 11 password without logging in?
Yes, there are several methods that can help Windows 11 users to recover password without login:
- Reset Microsoft account password online using a different device.
- Use a password reset disk created previously — for local accounts only.
- Use Reset Password option on Windows 11 sign-in screen.
- Use Windows Password Recovery software for recovering both Microsoft & local account passwords when locked out.
Q3 - How can I log in to my Windows 11 without password?
To unlock a Windows 11 PC without password, the Windows Password Recovery is the most efficient option. Whether you're linked to a Microsoft account or using a local account, you can easily bypass the password and log in to Windows 11:
- Install the Windows Password Recovery software on a different computer and follow the instructions to create a password recovery disk for Windows 11.
- Insert the USB or CD/DVD disk to your Windows 11 computer and boot it from the disk.
- When the software screen shows up, select Windows 11 OS and choose your locked account.
- Select Reset Account Password and create a new password in the pop-up prompt.
- Alternatively, choose Remove Account Password mode to remove the current password from your Windows 11.
Afterward, log in to your Windows 11 without needing the password you've forgotten or lost.
