Cannot get into my Pc

Question

Lost pin. All recovery options are old and I do not have access to any of the options. This is trying to get into my PC

Answer 1

Hi Shane,

I understand you’re locked out of your Windows 11 PC because you lost your PIN and no longer have access to the recovery options.

Have you already tried the Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, could you confirm:

• Is your PC using a Microsoft account (email login) or a local account (no email)?

If recovery options are no longer accessible, please try the following:

1, Try reset through Windows Recovery (keeps files)

If you cannot complete any account verification, you can reset Windows while keeping your personal files:

1. At the sign‑in screen, hold Shift and select Power > Restart
2. Go to “Troubleshoot” > “Reset this PC”
3. Choose “Keep my files”
4. Follow the prompts

Official guide: Recovery options in Windows

Note: This will remove installed apps and settings, but keeps personal files.

2, Microsoft account recovery (if you are using a Microsoft account on your PC)

Even if your recovery info is outdated, you can still attempt the account recovery form:

• Go to: https://account.live.com/acsr
• Enter your locked out email and an alternate email where Microsoft can contact you.
• Provide as many accurate details as possible, such as old passwords, frequent contacts/subject lines and submit from a familiar device/location.
• Wait 24–72 hours for a response. You may refine and resubmit up to twice per day.   
• Please see this official guide to help you fill out the form more accurately: Help with the Microsoft account recovery form - Microsoft Support

Please kindly note that this is a public community forum, I do not have the ability, tools to unblock, recover accounts or bypass security. Only Microsoft’s official recovery process can restore access.

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Answer 2

Because the PIN and all existing recovery options are unavailable, the only supported paths are:

1. Try other sign-in methods
   • On the Windows sign-in screen, select Sign-in options.
   • If available, choose:
     • Password (for a Microsoft or local account), or
     • Windows Hello (face/fingerprint) if previously set up.
   • If the password is forgotten, use I forgot my password on the sign-in screen and follow the prompts. For a Microsoft account, see:
     • Forgot your Microsoft account password
2. Reset or change PIN/password from sign-in
   • On the sign-in screen, select I forgot my PIN or I forgot my password (whichever is available) and complete the verification.
   • If verification codes are not arriving or security info is outdated, follow the guidance in:
     • Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
   • If security info (phone/email) is no longer accessible, use the steps under I've lost access to my Microsoft account security info in that article to replace it. Note that changing all security info can trigger a 30‑day restriction.
3. If sign-in and recovery still fail
   • Use the Windows sign-in troubleshooting hub to pick the scenario that matches the issue (PIN problems, password forgotten, verification codes not working, etc.):
     • Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows
4. As a last resort: reinstall Windows
   • If no sign-in method works and account recovery is not possible, Windows may need to be reinstalled. This will remove apps and may remove data if a full reset is done.
   • If the PC will not start or recovery options fail, create installation media (USB) from another PC and reinstall Windows:
     • Recovery options in Windows

If the account is a local (non-Microsoft) account and the password is also unknown, use the guidance in the sign-in and local account password reset articles linked from User Account Access in Windows.

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References:

• User Account Access in Windows
• Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Recovery options in Windows