# How to Reset a Forgotten Windows Password

URL: https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/reset-forgotten-windows-password/
Published: 2026-04-09 | Author: Ankit Kumar
Tags: Windows, Password, Security, Fix
Summary: Locked out of Windows 11 or 10? Reset a forgotten Microsoft account or local user password the safe way — without losing data or reinstalling Windows.

## The Problem
You boot the PC, enter the usual password or PIN, and Windows says it is wrong. Forgotten password, recent change, or a family member “fixing” the login—same result: locked out with data still on the drive.

## Method 1: Using a Microsoft Account (Windows 10/11)
If your Windows account is linked to an online Microsoft account, resetting your password is extraordinarily straightforward.

1. On the sign-in screen, click the **"I forgot my password"** link below the text box.
2. Verify your identity by entering the email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account.
3. Microsoft will send a security code to your alternative email or phone. 
4. Enter the code and create a new password. You'll be logged in immediately.

## Method 2: Reset a Local Account PIN
Sometimes it's just the PIN that's failing.
1. Click **Sign-in options** below the PIN field.
2. Select the key icon to log in with your actual account password instead of the PIN.
3. Once logged in, go to **Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options** and remove or reset the PIN.

## Method 3: Using a Password Reset Disk
This only works if you proactively created a Password Reset Disk *before* you forgot your password.
1. Insert your Password Reset USB drive.
2. Enter a wrong password on the lock screen to trigger the "Reset password" link.
3. Click the link and follow the Password Reset Wizard steps.
4. Create a new password and log in.

> **Technician's Advice:** To avoid future lockouts, we highly recommend linking your Windows login to a Microsoft account, or setting up alternative sign-in options like Windows Hello fingerprint or face recognition if your hardware supports it!

## Method 4: Advanced Reset (Command Prompt)
If it's a local account and you have no reset disk, you can bypass the lock screen using a Windows Installation USB. This method replaces the Accessibility tool (`utilman.exe`) on the login screen with the Command Prompt, allowing you to forcefully change your password.

**Disclaimer:** This is highly technical and should be performed carefully. It only works on Local Accounts, not Microsoft Accounts.

### Step 1: Boot from a Windows USB
1. Create a Windows Installation USB drive on another PC using the Media Creation Tool.
2. Insert the USB into the locked PC and boot from it (you may need to press `F12`, `F8`, `F2`, or `Del` depending on your motherboard to change the boot menu).
3. Once the initial Windows Setup screen appears (where you'd normally choose your language), press `Shift + F10` on your keyboard. This will open a Command Prompt window.

### Step 2: Replace Utilman with Command Prompt
1. In the Command Prompt, find your Windows drive letter. Type `C:` and press `Enter`, then type `dir`. If you don't see the `Windows` folder, try `D:`, `E:`, etc., until you find it (it's often `D:` in this recovery environment).
2. Assuming your Windows drive is `D:`, type the following commands exactly, pressing `Enter` after each:
   ```cmd
   D:
   cd Windows\System32
   ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak
   copy cmd.exe utilman.exe
   ```
3. Close the Command Prompt, cancel the Windows Installation, and reboot your PC normally by removing the USB drive.

### Step 3: Reset the Password
1. When you reach the normal Windows login screen, click the **Accessibility** icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Instead of the accessibility menu, an Administrator Command Prompt will magically open.
3. Type `net user` and press `Enter` to see a list of accounts. Note your exact username.
4. Type `net user "YourUsername" *` (replace `YourUsername` with your actual username, keeping the quotes if it has spaces) and press `Enter`.
5. You will be prompted to type a new password. (The cursor will not move as you type—this is a normal security feature). Press `Enter`.
6. Retype the new password to confirm.
7. Close the Command Prompt and log in with your new password!

### Step 4: Revert the Changes (Important)
Once logged in and celebrating, it is important to restore `utilman.exe` back to normal so anyone else can't access the command prompt from the lock screen.
1. Boot from your Windows USB again and press `Shift + F10` at the installer screen.
2. Find your Windows drive again (`D:` or `C:`).
3. Type:
   ```cmd
   D:
   cd Windows\System32
   del utilman.exe
   ren utilman.exe.bak utilman.exe
   ```
4. Reboot your PC normally.

## Password Is Right but Windows Still Won't Let You In
Not every lockout is a forgotten password. Match the message you are seeing:
* **"The User Profile Service service failed the sign-in"** — [repair the profile record](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-user-profile-service-failed-sign-in-windows-11/).
* **"You've been signed in with a temporary profile"** — [restore the real profile](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-temporary-profile-windows-11/) before saving anything.
* **"Something happened and your PIN isn't available"** — [reset the Windows Hello container](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-windows-hello-pin-not-available-windows-11/).
* **"We couldn't sign you in"** on a Microsoft account — [fix Microsoft account sign-in problems](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-microsoft-account-sign-in-problems-windows-11/).
* A **BitLocker recovery key** prompt before Windows even starts — [find your key and stop the loop](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-bitlocker-recovery-key-loop-windows-11/).

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Source: https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/reset-forgotten-windows-password/ — My Technician, free Windows 10/11 troubleshooting guides.
More guides: https://www.mytechnician.tech/llms.txt