Locked Out of Windows 11? Your Guide to Bypassing and Resetting a Forgotten PIN

Forgetting your Windows 11 login PIN can be frustrating, but fortunately, Microsoft provides several ways to bypass the immediate barrier and reset your PIN. This guide will walk you through the most effective and safe methods to get you back into your system, whether you're using a Microsoft account or a local account.

Quick Highlights: Key Ways to Regain Access

Use "I forgot my PIN": The most direct method on the login screen if you have a Microsoft account.
Alternative Sign-in Options: Switch to your password or other Windows Hello methods if available.
Microsoft Account Recovery: Reset your Microsoft account password online if needed, then use it to access your PC and reset the PIN.

Primary Methods to Bypass and Reset Your Windows 11 PIN

When faced with a forgotten PIN, your first steps should involve using the built-in recovery features of Windows 11. These are generally the safest and most straightforward.

Windows 11 Login Screen showing Sign-in options

The Windows 11 login screen often provides "Sign-in options" to access alternative login methods or PIN recovery.

Method 1: Using the "I forgot my PIN" Option (Microsoft Accounts)

This is the most common and recommended method if your Windows 11 user account is linked to a Microsoft account.

Steps:

On the Windows 11 login screen, where you're prompted to enter your PIN, look for a link that says "I forgot my PIN" directly below the PIN entry field. Click on it.
You will be prompted to verify your identity. This usually involves entering your Microsoft account password. Ensure your device is connected to the internet for this step.
If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled for your Microsoft account, you may need to provide a security code sent to your registered email address or phone number.
Once your identity is verified, Windows will guide you through setting up a new PIN. Enter your new PIN and confirm it.
You should now be able to log in with your newly created PIN.

Method 2: Using Alternative Sign-in Options

If the "I forgot my PIN" option isn't immediately visible or if you prefer, you can try signing in with your password or another Windows Hello method you've previously set up (like fingerprint or facial recognition).

Steps:

On the login screen, click on "Sign-in options" (often represented by an icon or text link).
You will see a list of available sign-in methods. Select the password icon (often looks like a keyboard) to enter your Microsoft account password or your local account password.
If you can successfully log in using your password, you can then proceed to change or reset your PIN from within Windows Settings.
To reset/change the PIN once logged in:
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Under the "Ways to sign in" section, find and select "PIN (Windows Hello)".
- Click "Change PIN" (if you remember the old one, which you don't in this case) or look for an "I forgot my PIN" option here. If you signed in with your password, the system will likely prompt you to verify your account password again before allowing a PIN change/reset.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to set a new PIN.

Method 3: Resetting Your Microsoft Account Password Online

If your PIN issue is compounded by also forgetting your Microsoft account password (which is needed for the "I forgot my PIN" feature), you'll need to reset your Microsoft account password first.

Steps:

Using another device with internet access (a phone, tablet, or another computer), go to the Microsoft account recovery page: account.live.com/password/reset.
Enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name associated with your Microsoft account.
Follow the instructions to verify your identity. This will typically involve receiving a security code to a recovery email address or phone number linked to your account.
Once verified, you'll be able to create a new password for your Microsoft account.
Return to your locked Windows 11 PC. On the login screen, choose "Sign-in options" and select the password option. Use your newly reset Microsoft account password to log in.
Once logged in, you can set up a new PIN via Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello).

Visualizing Your Recovery Options

To help you understand the different paths to regaining access, the mindmap below outlines the primary strategies for dealing with a forgotten Windows 11 PIN.

mindmap root["Forgotten Windows 11 PIN"] id1["At Login Screen"] id1a["'I Forgot My PIN' Option
(Microsoft Account)"] id1a1["Verify Microsoft Account
(Password/2FA)"] id1a2["Set New PIN"] id1b["'Sign-in Options'"] id1b1["Log in with Password
(Microsoft or Local)"] id1b2["Log in with Biometrics
(Fingerprint/Face)"] id1b3["Then: Reset PIN in Settings"] id2["Microsoft Account Recovery"] id2a["Forgot Microsoft Password?"] id2a1["Use another device"] id2a2["Visit account.live.com/password/reset"] id2a3["Verify Identity"] id2a4["Set New MS Password"] id2b["Use New Password to Log In to PC"] id3["Inside Windows (If Logged In via Alt Method)"] id3a["Open Settings (Win + I)"] id3b["Accounts > Sign-in options"] id3c["PIN (Windows Hello)"] id3c1["Change PIN / 'I forgot my PIN'"] id4["Local Account Considerations"] id4a["Password is Primary Recovery"] id4b["'I forgot my PIN' may require password"] id4c["If password also forgotten, advanced recovery needed"] id5["Advanced Options (Use with Caution)"] id5a["Safe Mode Access"] id5a1["Attempt PIN reset via Settings"] id5a2["Command Prompt (e.g., NGC folder clear - Risky!)"] id5b["System Restore (If recent restore point exists)"] id5c["Reset This PC (Last Resort - data loss risk)"]

This mindmap illustrates that your primary routes involve direct PIN reset, using alternative login credentials, or recovering your Microsoft account if necessary. Advanced options should be approached carefully.

Comparing PIN Reset Methods

Different methods for resetting your Windows 11 PIN vary in terms of ease of use, speed, and technical requirements. The radar chart below provides a comparative overview of common approaches. The values are on a scale of 1 to 10 (higher values indicate greater ease, speed, security maintained, or data safety; for Technical Skill, a lower value means less skill is required).

As shown, using the "I forgot my PIN" option or an alternative sign-in like your password are generally the easiest and safest methods. Online Microsoft account recovery is also straightforward. Advanced methods like Safe Mode recovery require more technical expertise.

Advanced and Other Considerations

Local Accounts vs. Microsoft Accounts

The process can differ slightly if you are using a local account (not linked to a Microsoft account):

Local Accounts: The "I forgot my PIN" option on the login screen might still prompt you for your local account password. If you've forgotten both the PIN and the password for a local account, recovery becomes more complex. You might need to use a password reset disk (if created beforehand) or consider more advanced tools (which should be used with caution).
Microsoft Accounts: Offer more robust online recovery options, as detailed earlier.

Booting into Safe Mode

If standard login screen options fail, Safe Mode can sometimes provide a way in:

Restart your PC. When you see the login screen, hold the Shift key, click the Power icon, and then select "Restart."
Your PC will restart into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After the PC restarts again, press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode (or 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking if you need internet access).
Once in Safe Mode, try logging in with your account password. If successful, you can attempt to change your PIN via Settings as described in Method 2.
Some advanced users attempt to clear the NGC folder (%windir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC) via Command Prompt in Safe Mode to remove PIN configurations. This is a risky procedure and should only be attempted by users who understand the implications, as it can lead to further sign-in issues if not done correctly.

Bypassing PIN for Automatic Login (Temporary Workaround)

If you can log in and wish to temporarily disable PIN/password prompts at startup (note: this reduces security):

Press Windows key + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
In the User Accounts window, select your user account.
Uncheck the box that says "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer."
Click Apply. You'll be prompted to enter your current password (or Microsoft account password) twice.
This will enable automatic login. This doesn't reset your PIN but bypasses the need to enter it at startup.

Video Guide: Resetting Your Windows 11 PIN

For a visual walkthrough, the following video demonstrates how to reset your PIN password on Windows 11. It covers some of the methods discussed, providing a step-by-step visual aid.

This video, "How to Reset your PIN Password on Windows 11," guides you through the PIN reset process, focusing on user-friendly steps accessible from the login screen or within Windows settings if you can gain initial access via other means.

Summary Table of PIN Reset Methods

Here's a quick comparison of the primary methods to reset your forgotten Windows 11 PIN:

Method	Account Type	Key Requirement(s)	Outcome	General Difficulty
"I forgot my PIN" (Login Screen)	Microsoft Account	Microsoft account password, internet access	New PIN set directly	Easy
Sign in with Password (Login Screen)	Microsoft or Local	Known account password	Access to OS; can then reset PIN via Settings	Easy
Microsoft Account Password Reset (Online)	Microsoft Account	Access to recovery email/phone, another device with internet	New Microsoft account password; then log in and set new PIN	Medium
Reset/Change PIN via Settings	Microsoft or Local	Already logged into Windows (e.g., via password)	New PIN set	Easy
Safe Mode (e.g., to access Settings or CMD)	Microsoft or Local	Potentially account password, technical steps	May allow access to reset PIN or attempt advanced fixes	Moderate to Advanced
"Reset This PC" (Last Resort)	Microsoft or Local	None (but will erase data if "Keep my files" isn't chosen or fails)	OS reinstalled, all login credentials removed	Easy (but with consequences)