How to Reset Windows Admin Password?

Last Updated : 15 Mar, 2024

If you forgot your Windows administrator password, you might be locked out of your computer and unable to access your files and settings. However, there are some ways to reset your password without losing your data or reinstalling Windows.

In this article, we will show you how to reset your Windows admin password

Table of Content

Method 1: Reset the Windows Admin Password With a Microsoft Account

An online Microsoft account lets you log into Windows and use Microsoft services like Outlook, OneDrive, Skype, and Xbox. Forgot your Windows admin password? No problem if you link a Microsoft account. You can reset it from another device.

Step 1: Go to this URL:

https://account.live.com/password/reset

Step 2: Enter your email address or phone number associated with the account.

Reset-the-Windows-Administrator-Password-With-a-Microsoft-Account

Step 3: Click on "I forgot my password"

Method 2: Reset Account Password Without Logging in on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can reset your password right from the lock screen. You don't even need to log in if you're using a local account.

Step 1: Begin by starting the computer with Windows 11 USB bootable media.

Step 2: Press "Shift + F10" for Command Prompt.

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Step 3: Type this command to Navigate to Windows folder from X:Sources.

C:

Step 4: Enter the command to navigate to the System32 folder and press Enter.

Cd Windows\System32

Step 5: Type these command one by one

ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak

ren cmd.exe utilman.exe

Reset-Account-Password-Without-Logging-in-on-Windows-11

Step 6: Enter the command to restart the computer normally

wpeutil reboot

Step 7: Click the Accessibility button at the bottom-right of the Sign-in screen to open Command Prompt.

Then, type and enter the command to activate the built-in Administrator account on Windows 11.

net user Administrator /active:yes

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Step 8: Select ‘Restart’ from the Power button options in the bottom-right corner.

Step 9: Choose the Administrator account on the Sign-in screen.

Step 10: Open the Start menu.

Step 11: Search and open the top result for ‘Computer Management’.

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Step 12: Expand the ‘Local Users and Groups’ sections.

Step 13: Expand the ‘Users’ sections.

Step 14: Right-click on the account whose password you want to reset and choose ‘Set password’.

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Step 15: Enter and confirm the new password.

Step 16: Click ‘OK’.

Step 17: Sign out from admin

Step 18: Reboot the PC using the Windows 11 USB bootable media once more

Step 19: Press "Shift + F10" for Command Prompt.

Step 20: Type this command to Navigate to Windows folder from X:Sources.

C:

Step 21: Enter the command to navigate to the System32 folder and press Enter.

Cd Windows\System32

Step 22: Type these command one by one

ren utilman.exe cmd.exe 
ren utilman.exe.bak utilman.exe

Step 23: Type this following command

net user Administrator /active:no

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Step 24: Enter the command to restart the computer normally

wpeutil reboot

After completing the steps, you can regain access to your Windows 11 account

Windows gives you varied ways to log in, such as using a PIN, a picture password, or a fingerprint reader. These methods offer password-free access to your PC. Suppose there's another login method active on your Windows PC. In that case, you can use this to enter, then change your password via settings.

Step 1: Press Win + S then on search bar type "PowerShell" and then click on "Run as administrator"

Step 2: Type this following command in PowerShell window

net user account_name new_password

Replace the account_name with actual admin user name

Replace the new_password with actual password which you want to set

Method 4: Reset Local Account Password With Security Questions

With a local account, you get to log in on Windows and make use of your settings and documents. If on Windows 11 you put up security queries for your local account.

These security questions are personal and only you know the answers, like your favorite movie or your first pet’s name

Step 1: On the login screen, click on “I forget my PIN” or "I forget my password"

Step 2: Answer your security questions and reset your password.

Step 3: Enter the new password

Conclusion

In Conclusion, Though forgetting your Windows admin password can be a hassle, We have shown you five methods to reset your computer password. You can choose any method to reset your computer password.

Also Read

How to Reset MySQL Root Password in Windows Using CMD?

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