Using a secure password to protect your data on your PC is a must. Dates of birth are outdated. While you are locking your computer with a password that is not easy to guess, you are more likely to lock out access to your laptop.
This problem occurs more often than you think. Of course, situations can push you to bypass a lost administrator password. Sometimes you may need to repurpose it. Here is a list of 7 steps to follow in the reset process and enjoy a smooth PC restart.
Solutions to Reset Windows Settings Without Administrator Password
- Factory reset in Windows 11 from the login screen
- Easily reset a locked Windows 11 PC to factory settings without an administrator password
- Easily remove Windows 11 password to factory reset on Windows 11 laptop, PC or tablet without signing in
- Forgot your administrator password? Learn how to reset with manufacturer’s recovery files
- Quick reset Windows 11 using installation media
- Benefits of using Windows installation media to reset or reinstall Windows
- Finally restart Windows 11 in safe mode again
1. How to factory reset Windows 11 from the login screen
Don’t worry if you forgot or lost your administrator username and/or password for your Windows PC. Now you can easily reset Windows 11 to factory settings from the login screen. Follow the instructions below:
- In the lower right corner of the login screen, there will be an option to change your network settings. Access Windows accessibility options or even turn off the power to turn off your laptop.
- Start restarting your PC by holding down the Shift key on your keyboard while clicking the Restart option from the power menu.
Your Windows 11 will start to reboot, opening the boot options menu. Quickly click on the Troubleshoot option to get started.
In the Troubleshoot menu window, select the Reset this PC option.
It is up to you to decide whether to keep your files or to completely reset the laptop, which will delete all files and settings. To save your files, click Save My Files. Otherwise, click the Remove All button.
Next, the options screen will present two options for reinstalling Windows on your PC. Selecting cloud download will first download the necessary operating system files and then install. Whereas a local reinstall will use existing system files and open an installer window.
This will start the Windows password reset process. Follow the further instructions on the screen for processing. Once the whole process is complete, you will be able to set up your Windows PC with a new Microsoft account by completely removing the old user account password.
2. Easily reset your Windows 11 laptop to factory settings without an administrator password
We have learned how to factory reset from the login screen if you have lost your administrator password. This is a similar subsection. If your computer or laptop is locked and you need to reboot the system with a new user account. Follow the above steps to reset without administrator password Windows 11/8.1/8/XP/Vista.
3. Easily remove admin password to factory reset on Windows 11 laptop, PC or tablet without logging in
Are you still unable to reset your laptop to factory settings despite following the steps above? Not to worry! We have another plan ready for you.
Windows Password Key is a professional password removal tool. It readily helps users stuck with forgotten or lost passwords by removing Windows passwords from their PC in a few minutes.
Download the Windows Password Key app and install it. This is available on any Windows 11/8.1/8/XP/Vista laptop. You can also download it via PassFab 4WinKey.
4. Forgot your administrator password? Learn how to reset with a manufacturer’s recovery partition
Some PC and laptop manufacturers include a dedicated recovery partition that will allow you to restore your Windows 11 installation to factory settings. This menu is usually activated by rebooting the laptop and pressing a certain button on the keyboard during boot.
The button to be pressed varies by manufacturer. For example, some HP computers require you to press and hold the F11 button while the PC boots. Whereas a Dell laptop may have a different options menu.
Hence, the options screen will provide instructions that will start the process. If your laptop or PC does not have a recovery partition, you will need to use one of the listed methods to factory reset Windows 11 instead.
5. Quick reset Windows 11 using installation media
This is one of the most reliable ways to restart your computer without an administrator password. If your laptop or PC is having problems, you can completely erase your hard drive using Windows installation media to reinstall or restart Windows.
You can easily download the Windows 11 installer disk image from the Microsoft web page. You can burn it to a new DVD or USB stick. If you have another computer available, you can also burn this ISO file to a bootable USB drive using the Rufus flashing tool.
Once you have downloaded it to your Windows 11 PC, connect it to your PC or laptop. Accordingly, follow the steps listed below:
- Start by restarting your computer by pressing the F8, F9, F12 or Esc keys to open the boot menu. When it opens, select your USB drive and press Enter. If your computer does not support the boot menu, you will have to change the boot order by entering UEFI or BIOS from the menu.
- Please make sure your USB drive is selected in the options drop-down screen. Then click the “Select”button to select the ISO file.
- Then, on the window setup screen, select your preferred language, currency, time, and other required data.
- Click “Next”or press “Enter”to continue.
- Click the “Install Now”button.
- On the Windows Activation Options page, click the button that says “I don’t have a link to a product key.”
- After that, select the version of Windows that you want to install using the installer. Otherwise, select the default option and click Next.
- This will continue the installation process, offering you recovery options. Follow the further instructions on the screen for processing.
Windows 11 will effectively clean up the installation disk and install a fresh copy of the Windows OS. After the reboot, Microsoft will again prompt you to create a Microsoft account to complete the setup.
Once the whole process is complete, you will be able to set up your Windows PC with a new Microsoft account by completely removing the old user account password.
6. Benefits of using a Windows installation disc to reset or reinstall Windows
The installation disc is a reliable and efficient recovery option using a DVD or CD to create a new Microsoft account. Windows does this by erasing your disk and copying your files for an updated installation.
Although it may seem complicated and redundant, following these simple steps in a command prompt window will take you to the appropriate options screen to help you perform a simple installation of a new copy of Microsoft OS.
Finally restart Windows 11 in safe mode again
Once you know the correct recommendations for restarting Windows 11 without an administrator username and/or password, you’re good to go! Of course, your first task will be to use a password manager, this time it will help you generate and save a secure password for your PC. It is not necessary to set up Windows with a Microsoft account, but it is always recommended.
Summarizing
Maintaining your PC or laptop, keeping an eye on its condition all the time, can sometimes seem like a hassle with all the menus of system recovery and troubleshooting options. However, a network user cannot opt out without removing errors or any other irregularities that may be bothering their Windows 11 PC.
While you’re at it, you can even look through advanced boot options and other option menus like Recovery Manager to get more knowledge about some advanced Windows features.