Windows 11 has two types of accounts, Microsoft Accounts and Local Accounts. One key difference is whether it asks for a password or a PIN, if it asks for a PIN, then this may be a Microsoft Account.
In this article, we will detail how to reset a Windows 11 password for a local account, and then for a Microsoft account. After completing either method you will be able to sign in with the new PIN or password created.
Reset Local Account Password
1. At the sign-in screen, enter an incorrect password
2. Click on Reset Password
3. Answer your account security questions and click on the right arrow
4. Enter a New password, confirm the new password and then click on the right arrow.
Reset Microsoft Account Password
When setting up Windows 11, you may have been asked to sign into a Microsoft Account, this would then be used as your password to login to the computer. During the setup it may have asked to set a PIN, this is usually all numbers, but is not the same as the password for the account. If you forget this PIN, the steps are a bit different than above.
1. Click on I forgot my PIN
2: Type your email, if it’s not filled in, and your Password. Click Sign in. Note: If you forgot the password to your Microsoft account, you may use the Forgotten your password process here as well, the verification steps will be the same as proceeding through the pin reset.
3. Choose a Verification Method. Note: Another device will be required at this step, such as a phone for texts, or another computer to check your email for the code.
4. Verify your information next, any method chosen will have you fill in some additional information that must match what is on file with Microsoft, then click on Send Code.
5. Enter the code received from Microsoft, then click on Verify.
6. Type in a new PIN to use to log into the computer, then Click OK
