How to reset a local account password without a Microsoft account connection but with access from picture password?

Question

I'm currently able to log into my laptop using my picture password, but because I forgot my local account password, I can't change it or switch to my Microsoft account. Please help.

Answer 1

Ok, you won't be able to use any of the Windows hello to reset it, but you need to create another admin to help you reset yours.

To do so,

Here are the steps:

1. Type netplwiz in the search on the taskbar and hit enter. When launched, click on "Add". On the next window, click on the bottom where it says to create an account without Microsoft email. This will allow you to define your own username.
2. When the above user is created, back to the main netplwiz page, double click on this new user, go to the Group Membership tab, make it administrator. Save the change.
3. Restart the computer. Sign into new user. Then launch netplwiz again, and select your old local user and then click on reset password to reset it. When done, restart the computer, sign back into your old local user.
4. Type sysdm.cpl in the search on the taskbar and hit enter, go to Advanced tab, click on the "Settings" button at the User Profile section. Then delete the user profile for the new local user you just created..
5. Launch netplwiz again, delete the new local user from there.

Answer 2

If you are logged into your laptop using a picture password but have forgotten your local account password, you have a few options to reset it:

1. Use Password Reset Disk: If you created a password reset disk before forgetting your password, you can use it to reset your local account password.
2. Local User Account Management: Since you can access your account, you can try to change your password through the Control Panel:
   • Open the Control Panel.
   • Go to "User Accounts".
   • Select "Manage another account".
   • Choose your local account and select "Change the password".
3. Create a New Local Account: If you cannot reset the password, you can create a new local account:
   • Go to "Settings" > "Accounts" > "Family & other users".
   • Click on "Add someone else to this PC" and follow the prompts to create a new local account.
   • Once created, you can log in with the new account and access your files from the old account.
4. Safe Mode: Boot into Safe Mode and try to access the built-in Administrator account, which may allow you to reset your password.

If these options do not work, you may need to consider more advanced recovery methods or tools, but be cautious as they can involve risks to your data.

---

References:

• How to remove Microsoft Sign In - Microsoft Q&A