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Rhysin's avatar
Rhysin
Brass Contributor
Aug 30, 2026

Unlock Windows 11 without password for local account If I forgot?

Locked myself out of my own Windows 11 PC and it set up with a local account a while back. Now, I forgot my password and I don't have a password reset disk or anything like that made in advance. Is ...
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AidenGarcia's avatar
AidenGarcia
Iron Contributor
Aug 30, 2026

For users who have another computer and a USB flash drive, using a Windows 11 installation USB drive is a reliable method. This method is suitable for regaining access to a locked Windows 11 system. As an effective way to unlock Windows 11 without a password, this method utilizes a workaround involving the built-in Utility Manager to reset a forgotten password via the Command Prompt.

Required Materials：

  • A fully functional computer
  • A USB flash drive
  • A Windows 11 ISO image

How to Unlock Windows 11 Without a Password

Step 1: Create a Windows 11 Installation USB Drive

  • On a computer that is functioning properly, download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website.
  • Run the tool → Select Create installation media for another PC.
  • Select the language, edition, and architecture.
  • Select USB flash drive → Select the USB drive.
  • Wait for the tool to create the USB installation drive.

Step 2: Boot from the USB on the Locked Computer

  • Insert the USB drive into the locked computer.
  • Restart the computer → Press the boot menu key during startup.
  • Select your USB drive from the boot menu.
  • The Windows 11 installation screen will now appear.

Step 3: Open the Command Prompt

  • On the installation screen, click Next.
  • Click Repair your computer.
  • Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt.

Step 4: Reset the Password

  • Back up the original Utility Manager file:

copy C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.bak

  • Replace Utility Manager with Command Prompt:

copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe

  • Restart the computer:

wpeutil reboot

Step 5: Reset Your Password

  • When Windows starts up and you reach the login screen, click the Ease of Access button in the lower-right corner.
  • This will open the Command Prompt instead of the standard Ease of Access tools.
  • At the command prompt, enter the following command to reset your password:

net user your_username new_password

  • Replace your_username with your actual local account username, and new_password” with your new password.
  • If you don’t know your username:

net user

  • This will list all user accounts on the computer.
  • Close the Command Prompt and log in using your new password.

Step 6: Restore the Original Accessibility Manager

  • Open a Command Prompt as an administrator.
  • Run the following command:

copy C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.bak C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe

  • This will restore the original Accessibility Manager.

Use only official Microsoft tools. This is one of the most reliable ways to unlock Windows 11 without password when you’ve forgotten your login credentials and need immediate access to the system.