forgot password

Because this is a local Windows 11 account, submit an incorrect password once and select OK; Windows should then display Reset password so you can answer the security questions created with the account.

Reset from the sign-in screen

1. If Sign-in options appears, select it and choose the password icon rather than PIN or fingerprint.
2. Enter any password and select the arrow next to the password box, or press Enter.
3. After Windows reports that the password is incorrect, select OK.
4. Select Reset password.
5. Answer the security questions, enter a new password, and sign in with it. ^1^

If you previously created a password reset USB, select Use a password reset disk instead and follow the prompts.

If “Reset password” still does not appear

That usually means no supported recovery questions or reset disk are available for that account. The remaining supported choices are:

• Another administrator account exists on the PC: Sign in to it, open Computer Management, then go to Local Users and Groups > Users. Right-click the locked account, select Set Password, and create a new password. ^1^
• No other administrator account exists: Windows must be reset. Microsoft Support cannot retrieve or bypass a forgotten local-account password. ^1^

Reset Windows only as the last resort

Resetting reinstalls Windows. Keep my files preserves personal files but removes installed applications and settings; Remove everything also deletes personal files.

1. On the sign-in screen, select Power.
2. Hold Shift and select Restart.
3. In Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
4. Choose Keep my files to preserve personal files.
5. Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall, then follow the prompts.

If device encryption is enabled, the reset might require the BitLocker recovery key. Do not begin until that key is available. Do not interrupt the reset if the display remains black or the computer restarts during the process. ^2^

Avoid online instructions that enable hidden administrator accounts or replace system files from Recovery Command Prompt; those are not Microsoft’s supported password-recovery methods.

References

1. Change or reset your local account password in Windows | Microsoft Support
2. Reset your PC