How to Remove Windows 11 Login Password without any Software (Easy Trick) 2023

Forgot the password for your Windows 11 PC and can’t log in? If you use a local (offline) account, you can reset the password yourself from the recovery environment, without any extra software. The video at the top of this page shows every step.

Note: This method works for local accounts. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, click I forgot my password on the sign-in screen and reset it through Microsoft instead.

Warning: Only use this on a computer you own. The trick temporarily replaces an accessibility tool with Command Prompt, so follow Part 2 afterwards to put everything back the way it was.

Part 1: Reset the Password

1. On the sign-in screen, hold the Left Shift key and, while holding it, select Power > Restart. This opens the advanced recovery menu.
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
3. The recovery environment usually opens on the X: drive, not your Windows drive. Switch to your Windows drive (it is normally C:, sometimes D:). Type C: and press Enter. You can type dir to list the folders and check you are on the right drive.
4. Go to the Windows System32 folder:

   cd windows
   cd system32

5. Rename utilman.exe (the accessibility tool) so you can restore it later:

   ren utilman.exe utilman1.exe

6. Make Command Prompt open when you click the accessibility button:

   ren cmd.exe utilman.exe

7. Restart the computer. You can type exit and choose Continue, or run wpeutil reboot.
8. On the sign-in screen, click the Accessibility icon in the bottom-right corner. Thanks to the trick, this opens a Command Prompt window.
9. Open the user accounts window:

   control userpasswords2

10. Select your user, click Reset Password, type a new password twice and click OK. Close the windows.
11. Click your user, enter the new password and press Enter. You are back in Windows. You have just reset your forgotten Windows 11 login password.

Part 2: Put Command Prompt Back (Important)

You replaced the accessibility tool with Command Prompt, so now you need to undo that change for security.

1. Hold the Left Shift key and restart the PC again to reach the recovery menu.
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
3. Go back to the System32 folder:

   C:
   cd windows
   cd system32

4. Put Command Prompt back:

   ren utilman.exe cmd.exe

5. Restore the real accessibility tool:

   ren utilman1.exe utilman.exe

6. Restart the computer.

You’re done. Both the Command Prompt and the accessibility button now work normally again.

Prefer not to use commands? See my other guide, How to Reset a Forgotten Windows Password (Proven Method). If you simply want to stop entering a password at every login, read How to Remove a Windows Password and PIN.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe to Tips2Fix on YouTube.