Are you locked out of your Windows 11 PC because you forgot the password or the system isn’t accepting it? Don’t worry. You can reset your Windows 11 local account password without using any third-party software, bootable USB, or CD. This article provides a detailed step-by-step method using only the tools already built into your system.

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🔐 Why Use This Method?

Most password reset guides require USB tools, bootable disks, or third-party utilities. But not everyone has access to those immediately. The method below is:

• 100% offline
• No software or USB required
• Works on local accounts (not Microsoft accounts)
• Reversible (restores system files back after reset)

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🧭 Step-by-Step Guide to Reset Windows 11 Login Password

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🔁 Part 1: Boot Into Advanced Startup Options

1. At the login screen, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.
2. While holding Shift, click the Power icon (bottom-right) and choose Restart.
3. Click Restart Anyway if prompted.
4. Your PC will reboot into Advanced Startup Options.

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⚙️ Part 2: Launch Command Prompt via Notepad

1. Once the Choose an Option screen appears, select Troubleshoot.
2. Select Advanced Options → Command Prompt.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type: notepad and press Enter.
4. In Notepad, click File → Open.
5. From the left panel, select This PC → open Local Disk (C:) → Windows → System32.
6. At the bottom, change “Files of type” to All Files to see every file in the directory.

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✍️ Part 3: Rename Accessibility Files

1. Locate and rename the file named sethc.exe (used for Sticky Keys):
   • Right-click sethc.exe → Rename → change it to sethc-crown.exe or anything you like.
2. Now search for the file named cmd.exe:
   • Right-click cmd.exe → Rename → change it to sethc.exe.

This swap will allow the Command Prompt to open when pressing the Sticky Keys shortcut at login.

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🚪 Part 4: Restart and Open CMD on Login Screen

1. Close Notepad and Command Prompt.
2. Click Continue to restart your PC and return to the login screen.
3. At the login screen, press the Shift key 5 times.
4. A Command Prompt window will open — this is your backdoor!

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🗝️ Part 5: Reset the Local Account Password

1. In the CMD window, type: net localgroup administrators → This will show the name of your local user account.
2. Then type: net user <your-username> * Replace <your-username> with the exact name shown earlier.
3. You will be prompted to enter a new password:
   • Type your desired password (nothing will appear on screen, but it is registering).
   • Press Enter, then retype the password and press Enter again.

🎉 You’ve now successfully reset your Windows 11 password!

4. Close the CMD window and log in with the new password.

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🔁 Part 6: Restore System Files Back to Normal

Since we renamed important system files, it’s best to restore them after logging in:

1. Click the Start menu → Power icon → Hold Shift key → Click Restart.
2. Go back to:
   • Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Command Prompt.
3. Open Notepad again, go to File → Open.
4. Navigate to:
   • This PC → Local Disk (C:) → Windows → System32 → show All Files.

Now reverse the previous renaming:

• Rename sethc.exe (which is currently CMD) back to cmd.exe.
• Rename sethc-crown.exe (original file) back to sethc.exe.

5. Close everything and click Continue.

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✅ Final Check

• Log in using the newly set password.
• Press Win + S, search for CMD, and make sure Command Prompt opens correctly.

You’ve now successfully reset your Windows 11 login password without software or USB and restored your system to its original state.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I use this on a Microsoft account?
No. This method works only for local accounts, not online Microsoft accounts.

Q2: Will this work on Windows 10?
Yes, the steps are mostly the same, but the interface might slightly differ.

Q3: Is this method legal?
This method is intended for personal use on systems you own. Never use it on someone else’s PC without permission.

Q4: What if I renamed the wrong files?
As long as you don’t delete them, you can always boot into the command prompt and revert the changes.

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🔗 Useful Links

• 🔗 Microsoft Official Windows 11 Recovery Options

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🔒 Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only. Unauthorized access or misuse of this information is not encouraged. Please use it only on devices you legally own or have permission to access.

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🏷️ Tags

reset windows 11 password, no usb password reset, windows 11 admin access, forgot windows password, cmd trick windows login, sticky keys hack, net user password reset

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🔖 Hashtags

#Windows11PasswordReset #ForgotPasswordFix #NoUSBNeeded #CommandPromptHack #WindowsTricks #ResetWithoutSoftware #TechTips

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Sneha Rao

Sneha is a hardware reviewer and technology journalist. She has reviewed laptops and desktops for over 6 years, focusing on performance, design, and user experience. Previously working with a consumer tech magazine, she now brings her expertise to in-depth product reviews and comparisons.

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