How to Reset A Password for A Laptop on Windows 11/10

About Windows password reset

A computer password for Windows is a security measure used to protect your computer or user account on a Windows operating system. When you set up a password, it ensures that only you (or people with the correct password) can access your computer or specific files. Resetting a password for a laptop may be necessary for several reasons:

✉ Forgotten password: If you've forgotten your password and are locked out of your laptop, resetting it is the only way to regain access.

✉ Security concerns: If you suspect that someone has gained unauthorized access to your laptop, resetting the password ensures that only you can log in.

✉ Changing to a more secure password: Over time, you might realize that your current password is not strong enough. Resetting it to something more complex can help improve your laptop's security.

✉ Account recovery: If you've been unable to recover your account due to a security issue or a failed password reset attempt, starting fresh with a new password can solve the issue.

✉ System or software update: Sometimes, after a system or software update, the password may no longer work correctly. Resetting it can fix login problems.

In all cases, resetting your password is an essential process to ensure you can continue using your laptop safely and securely.

How to reset a password for a laptop on Windows 11/10

There are several ways to reset ita laptop password, depending on whether you can still access your device. Below are the step-by-step methods for resetting a password in different situations.

Situation 1: You can log in to your laptop

If you still have access to your laptop, resetting your password is straightforward. Here are two methods depending on the type of account you use.

Method 1. Reset a local account password

A local account is an offline account used only on a specific device. Follow these steps to reset its password:

Step 1. Simultaneously press the "Windows + I" keys to open Windows Settings. Once opened, click on "Accounts".

Step 2. Within the "Accounts" section, navigate to "Sign-in options" and locate the "Password" section. Click on the "Change" button.

Step 3. A window will appear prompting you to enter your current password. Type in your current password and click "Next".

Step 4. Now, enter your desired new password and re-enter it for confirmation. Additionally, you have the option to create a password hint. Once completed, click "Next".

Now, your local account password has been updated successfully.

Method 2. Reset a Microsoft account password

If you sign in with a Microsoft account, follow these steps to reset your password:

Step 1. Open Settings (Win + I). Go to Accounts > Your info. Click Manage my Microsoft account to open a browser.

Step 2. Select Forgot password? on the Microsoft login page, or you can go directly to Reset password and enter the user name again for the account you’re trying to reset, then select “Next”.

Step 3. When you got and may pick a verification option, select the option to send the verification code to, and select "Next".

Step 4. Retype the first part of the email address or the last four digits of the phone number hinted at in the previous window. Select "Get code".

Step 5. Enter the code you received and select “Next”. After resetting, use the new password to log in.

Situation 2: You cannot log in to your laptop

If you're locked out of your laptop, you still have several ways to reset your password and regain access.

Method 1. Reset a Microsoft account password online

Since Microsoft accounts are cloud-based, you can reset your password from any device:

Step 1. Open the Microsoft account reset page on a working computer.

Step 2. Enter your email address or phone number you set for your Microsoft account and click "Next".

Step 3. Then, you will be asked to verify your identity. Follow the steps to finish the verification.

Step 4. Once verified, you can enter the new password to reset password Windows 10.

Once done, restart your laptop and log in with the new password.

Method 2. Reset a local account password using password reset disk

If you previously created a password reset disk, use it as follows:

Step 1. Insert the prearranged disk intended for password reset and select the "Reset password" option within the accessible interface.

Step 2. Proceed by selecting "Next" within the newly displayed window.

Step 3. Opt for the designated key disk and choose "Next".

Step 4. Within the fresh interface, you have the opportunity to establish a fresh password and provide a hint for the new password. Subsequently, click on "Next".

Step 5. Once the password reset process is completed, conclude the procedure by clicking on "Finish".

If you've forgotten your laptop password and haven't created a password reset disk, AOMEI Partition Assistant provides an effective way to regain access. It is a powerful disk management tool that includes a built-in feature called "Reset Windows Password" that allows you to reset or remove a Windows password without reinstalling the operating system or losing data. Here’s how you can use it to reset your password:

Step 1. Begin by connecting a USB drive to another computer that is currently in normal use. Next, download and launch a trustworthy tool. Locate the "Tools" option on the top toolbar and choose "Reset Windows Password".

Step 2. Proceed to create a bootable USB by selecting the "Next" button.

Step 3. Identify the desired USB boot device and click on "Proceed".

Step 4. Take a moment to carefully read the instructions regarding the creation of a bootable USB. Please note that all data on the USB will be erased. Confirm your understanding by clicking "Yes".

Step 5. Allow some time for the tool to create the password reset USB. Once completed, click "Finish".

Step 6. Remove the USB from the current computer and insert it into the computer you wish to reset the password for. Restart the computer and access the boot menu. Choose to boot from the USB drive you just created and select the operating system. Click "Next" to proceed.

Step 7. From the list of user accounts, choose the desired account and mark the option "Reset Account Password". Click "Next" to continue.

Step 8. In the subsequent window, you will be able to set a new password. Once you have entered the new password, click "Yes".

Method 3. Reset a password for laptop via CMD

If you have another administrator account, you can reset your password using CMD or access to Safe Mode to perform password reset.

Option 1: Using another Admin account

Step 1. Log in to another administrator account.

Step 2. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (Win + X > Command Prompt (Admin)).

Step 3. Type the following command and press Enter:

net user "your_username" "new_password"

Replace "your_username" with your actual account name and "new_password" with your desired password.

Step 4. Restart your laptop and use the new password to log in.

Option 2: Using Safe Mode with Command Prompt

If you have no other administrator account, try these steps:

Step 1. Restart your laptop and repeatedly press F8 or Shift + F8 (on older systems) before Windows loads.

Step 2. Select Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 3. In the CMD interface, input "diskpart" and press "Enter".

Step 4. Type "list volume" and hit "Enter" to see all the volumes, remember the drive letter of the system drive. Input "exit" and press "Enter" to leave the Diskpart.

Step 5. In the CMD interface, type "move E:\windows\system32\utilman.exe E:\", press "Enter" to move the utilman.exe file to the root directory of the system drive.

Step 6. Input "copy E:\windows\system32\cmd.exe E:\windows\system32\utilman.exe", press "Enter" to copy the cmd.exe file to the target path.

Step 7. Input "wpeutil reboot" and press "Enter".

Step 8. Click the human icon to open the CMD window, then type net user "your_username" "new_password"(Replace "your_username" and "new_password" accordingly, eg. net user "Leah George" 2022), then press "Enter". Input "exit" and hit "Enter" to leave this tool and enter the new password to log in.

Conclusion

Resetting a Windows laptop password is essential for regaining access, enhancing security, or troubleshooting login issues. If you can still log in, reset your password through account settings. How to reset a password for a laptop on Windows 11/10 depends on whether you can log in or not. By following these methods, you can regain access to your laptop efficiently.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is an all-in-one disk management tool that not only helps with password recovery but also supports data recovery, system migration, and other essential disk operations. If you're frequently managing your system, it’s a valuable tool to have!