Windows 11 Lost Admin Password

Question

I lost administrative password in Windows 11. email recovery is no longer available. how to I access to reset password

Answer 1

Hi Julie Traina,

Thank you for reaching out. If the administrator password on a Windows 11 Home device is no longer available and account recovery options cannot be used, Windows still provides supported ways to regain access securely.

In addition to Q&A Assist's answer, here are some available recovery options that you can try:

Option 1: Microsoft account sign‑in

• If the device uses a Microsoft account, the password must be reset through the Microsoft account recovery.
• Once the password is updated, sign in again on the device using the new credentials.

Option 2: Reset Windows (local account)

If the device uses a local administrator account, the password cannot be retrieved, but access can be restored by resetting Windows:

• Restart the PC and enter Windows Recovery.
• Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
• Choose Keep my files.
• Complete setup and create a new administrator account.
• Personal files are preserved, but installed apps will need to be reinstalled.

If device encryption is enabled, the BitLocker recovery key will be required during reset (without the recovery key, protected data cannot be accessed).

Once access is restored, I recommend adding multiple recovery methods and keeping a backup administrator account to avoid future lockouts.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

If the lost password is for a Microsoft account used to sign in to Windows 11:

1. On the Windows sign-in screen, select I forgot my password and follow the prompts to reset it.
2. Alternatively, on the sign-in screen select Sign-in options > Web sign-in, complete the prompts to sign in, then choose Forgot my password.
3. From another device, go to the Reset password page: https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx and follow the instructions.

If the lost password is for a local account (not a Microsoft account) and you are not signed in:

1. On the Windows sign-in screen, select the password entry button.
2. Select OK and then Reset password.
3. Answer the security questions configured when the account was created.
4. If a password reset disk was created earlier, choose Use a password reset disk instead and follow the wizard.

If the lost password is for a local account and there is another administrator account on the same PC:

1. Sign in with the other administrator account.
2. Open Computer Management.
3. Expand Local Users and Groups > Users.
4. Right-click the user that needs a new password and select Set Password....
5. Enter and confirm the new password.

If there is no other administrator account and the local account password cannot be reset using security questions or a reset disk, the remaining supported option is to reset the Windows device (this may affect apps and settings). For details, see Reset your PC from the referenced documentation.

To prevent future lockouts on a local account, create a password reset disk once access is restored:

1. Sign in with the local account.
2. Insert a USB flash drive.
3. Open Control Panel and search for create password reset.
4. Select Create a password reset disk and follow the wizard.

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References:

• Change or reset your password in Windows
• Create a password reset disk for a local account in Windows