How to Get Your Local Computer Password on Windows 11

It’s a scenario every computer user dreads: you turn on your PC, ready to start your day, but your mind goes blank at the Windows 11 login screen. Forgetting your password can feel like being locked out of your own digital home, cutting you off from important files, applications, and memories. This is especially frustrating if you're using a local account, which isn't linked to an online recovery process like a Microsoft account.

If you're wondering how to get your local computer password on Windows 11, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through several effective methods to reset your password and regain access to your machine, from built-in Windows tools to powerful third-party software.

How to Get Your Local Computer Password on Windows 11: 4 Solutions

While it's not possible to "get" or view your old password due to security encryption, you can reset it to regain access. This section details four distinct methods, ranging from preparatory measures to advanced solutions, to help you when you've forgotten your Windows 11 local account password.

Solution 1. Reset Windows 11 Password with a Password Reset Disk

This is Microsoft's intended solution for a forgotten local password, but it has one major requirement: you must have created the password reset disk before you lost access. If you were proactive and made one, you’re in luck. A password reset disk is a USB flash drive that acts as a key to unlock your account. It's the simplest and quickest way to solve the problem.

Step 1. On the Windows 11 login screen, enter password and try to log in. You will see "Reset password" appear when the login fails.

Step 2. When Password Reset Wizard pops out, insert the password reset disk and click "Next". Then, choose the right USB drive.

Step 3. In this window, click "Next" after typing the new password and the new password hint.

Step 4. If successful, click "Finish" to close the password reset wizard.

Solution 2. Reset Forgotten Windows 11 Password via Command Prompt

If you didn't create a password reset disk, don't worry. A more technical but highly effective method involves using the Command Prompt from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This powerful tool allows you to directly issue commands to the system, including changing a user account password without needing the old one.

This solution requires no third-party software and is an excellent option for users comfortable with a command-line interface.

Step 1. In the Windows 11 login screen, click the Power button. Then click Restart while pressing the Shift key.

Step 2. The PC will boot into the Windows recovery mode, and click Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Click Advanced options and Command Prompt.

Step 4. In the CMD window, type in diskpart.

Step 5. Type in list volume and hit Enter. Remember the drive letter of system drive. Then, type exit to launch Diskpart tool.

Step 6. Go back to the CMD window, type move E:\windows\system32\utilman.exe E:\ and hit Enter to move the utilman.exe file to the root directory of the system drive for backup.

Step 7. Type copy E:\windows\system32\cmd.exe E:\windows\system32\utilman.exe and press Enter. This will copy the cmd.exe file to E:\windows\system32\ and name it utilman.exe.

Step 8. Type wpeutil reboot and press Enter to reboot to Windows 11.

Step 9. Once you are back in the Windows 11 login screen, click the human icon to open the Command Prompt window. Here, type net user "username" password, such as net user "Leah George" 2022, and then press Enter to reset Windows 11 password.

Step 10. Finally, close Command Prompt and enter the new password to access Windows 11.

Solution 4. Reset Windows 11 Password via a Password Reset Tool

When you've forgot Windows 11 password local account and have no reset disk, and the command prompt seems too daunting, a dedicated password reset tool is the ultimate solution. These tools are designed to be user-friendly, safe, and highly effective, making them the best choice for most users.

For this task, we highly recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. While it is widely known as a premier disk and partition management suite, it also includes a powerful and easy-to-use "Reset Windows Password" feature.

This tool allows you to create a bootable USB on any working computer, which you can then use to reset or remove the password from your locked PC in just a few clicks. It bypasses the need for old passwords or complex commands, offering a straightforward graphical interface.

Part 1. Create Windows 11 password reset USB

Step 1. First, download AOMEI Partition Assistant on a PC that can boot normally and prepare a USB drive. Then, on the main interface, click Tools> Reset Windows Password.

Step 2. Click Next to create a WinPE bootable media.

Step 3. Here, choose the target USB drive and click Proceed.

Step 4. Your USB drive will be formatted during create the password reset USB, please backup it if there is important data.

When the creation is successful, plug the USB into the PC where the password needs to be reset or removed.

Part 2. Reset forgot Windows 11 password

Step 1. Insert the USB drive and change the boot drive to make PC boot from the USB. 

Step 2. After loading, you will see AOMEI Partition Assistant on the screen. Click Reset Windows Password and select the target operating system and click Next.

Step 3. Select the account for which you want to reset the password, and then select the action you want to perform: Remove Account Password or Reset Account Password. Then, click Next.

Step 4. If you want to reset the password, type the new password in the new window and click Yes to confirm.

Step 5. Finally, restart your computer and log in to Windows 11 with the new password.

Ending

Forgetting your Windows 11 local account password can be a major roadblock, but it's far from a permanent problem. We've covered several effective solutions, each suited for different situations. Creating a Password Reset Disk is the best preventative measure. For those without one, the Command Prompt offers a powerful built-in solution.

However, for a guaranteed, easy, and stress-free method that works in nearly every scenario, a professional tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is unmatched. It not only solves the immediate issue but also provides a wealth of other management tools to keep your computer running smoothly. With these options, you can confidently regain access to your PC and get back to what matters.