Locked out of laptop

For Windows pc

1- Boot from the Installation Media

    Insert the USB drive into the locked laptop.
    Restart the laptop and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or DEL during boot).
    Change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
    Save changes and exit BIOS.

Step 2: Access the Command Prompt

    When the Windows Setup screen appears, select your language preferences and click “Next.”
    Click on “Repair your computer” on the bottom left.
    Select “Troubleshoot,” then “Advanced options,” and finally “Command Prompt.”

Step 3: Reset the Password

In the Command Prompt, follow these commands carefully:

    Backup the sethc.exe file: copy C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe C:\
    Replace sethc.exe with cmd.exe: copy /y C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe
    Reboot the laptop: Close the Command Prompt and choose to continue to Windows.

Step 4: Trigger Command Prompt at Login

    On the login screen, tap the Shift key five times. This should open the Command Prompt.
    In the Command Prompt window, type: net user [YourUserName] [NewPassword] Replace [YourUserName] with the actual username and [NewPassword] with your new password.
    Close the Command Prompt and try logging in with the new password.

Step 5: Restore sethc.exe

Once you’ve successfully logged in, it’s essential to restore the original Sticky Keys exe file:

    Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    Type: copy /y C:\sethc.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe

Step 6: Backup Important Files (Optional but Recommended)

After you regain access, consider backing up important files to an external drive or cloud storage for future safety.
Step 7: Create a Password Reset Disk (for Windows Users)

If you want to prevent being locked out in the future:

    Insert a USB drive.
    Go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Create a password reset disk.
    Follow the wizard to create the disk.

Source

Hello,

Sorry for your loss. Please follow this step-by-step guide:

https://www.kapilarya.com/factory-reset-windows-11-by-keeping-files

For live demonstration, check this vide guide:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a03l7ed6i7g

Let us know if this helps!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog by a trusted Microsoft MVP.