Getting locked out of your own PC is one of the most frustrating experiences a Windows user can face. One moment you’re typing your password as usual, and the next Windows suddenly behaves like it has never seen you before. Maybe it insists your password is wrong. Maybe your PIN stopped working. Maybe your Microsoft account refused to sync.
Whatever the reason, being locked out feels like standing outside your own house without the keys.
But take a breath — you can get back in, and you can do it without reinstalling Windows and without losing your files.
Before we dive into the steps, let’s walk through what’s happening and why these methods work.
Understanding the Situation Before You Begin
When Windows locks you out, it usually happens for one of two reasons:
- You’re using a Local Account and forgot the password.
- You’re using a Microsoft Account, and the cloud refuses to authenticate.
Many users don’t even realize which type they have. But the process to reset either one is different — and doing it incorrectly can lead to data loss or permanent lockout.
So before we jump into tools and steps, let’s set the stage.
Resetting Passwords Safely: What We’re Going to Use
For this method, we use Hiren’s BootCD PE (Windows 11 Edition) — a legitimate, widely trusted recovery environment packed with repair tools. It’s not hacking software, not a shady activator, and not malware. It simply gives you administrative access to recover from disasters.
You will need:
- A working PC
- An 8GB (or larger) USB drive
- Internet connection to download the tools
Once this USB is created, your locked PC can boot into a special recovery environment where you can reset a Windows password safely.
Let’s move to the first step.
Step 1: Download Hiren’s BootCD PE
Before touching your locked PC, we need to prepare the recovery USB on another computer.
Here’s how:
- Open your browser.
- Visit the official Hiren’s BootCD website:
https://www.hirensbootcd.org - Click Download at the top.
- Scroll down until you see HBCD_PE_x64.iso and download it.
This file contains the environment that we will boot into later.
Step 2: Download and Prepare Rufus
Now we need a tool to turn that ISO file into a bootable USB.
- Go to https://rufus.ie
- Scroll down and download the portable version of Rufus.
- Plug in your USB drive (8GB or larger).
- Launch Rufus (no installation needed).
- Click Select and choose the Hiren’s ISO you downloaded.
Now here’s an important step many people miss:
Enable Dual BIOS + UEFI Mode
Press ALT + E inside Rufus.
This enables compatibility for older PCs as well as modern ones.
Once ready:
- Click Start
- Accept any warnings about data deletion
- Wait for the USB to finish creating
You now have a powerful recovery toolkit.
Step 3: Boot the Locked PC From the USB
Now move to the locked computer.
- Insert the USB drive
- Restart the PC
- Immediately press your boot menu key (varies by brand):
- Dell → F12
- HP → F9
- Lenovo → F12 or F8
- Asus → Esc
- Acer → F12
- MSI → F11
- Choose your USB from the list
- Boot into the Hiren’s environment
- Wait for the Windows 11–like desktop to appear
Once it loads, you’re ready for the most important part.
Step 4: Check for BitLocker Encryption
Before resetting anything, you MUST check if BitLocker is enabled.
Open File Explorer. Look at your C: drive.
- If it opens normally → Not encrypted (safe to continue)
- If you see a padlock icon → BitLocker is ON
What This Means
If BitLocker is enabled:
- You must have your 48-digit BitLocker Recovery Key
- Without it, password resets will not work
- Altering login data on an encrypted drive can corrupt everything
If you DO have your key, unlock the drive and continue.
If not — stop here. You risk losing your data.
Step 5: Launch the Windows Login Unlocker Tool
Now the real work begins.
- Click Start
- Go to All Programs
- Navigate to Security → Passwords
- Open Windows Login Unlocker
The tool will scan your installation and list all user accounts.
Understanding the Account List
Each account will show:
- Username
- Whether it’s a Microsoft account (Live ID: Yes/No)
- Whether it uses a PIN
- Whether a password exists
If you see:
- Live ID = Yes → This is a Microsoft account
- PIN = Yes → This account uses Windows Hello PIN
Step 6: Reset the Password and Convert to Local
Right-click the account you want to fix and choose:
- Reset Password → This makes the password blank
- Reset PIN → Removes the Windows Hello PIN
- The account will automatically convert to a local account
Once done, restart the PC.
When Windows loads, simply click Sign in.
No PIN. No password. No cloud validation.
Windows may look confused — that’s normal.
Step 7: Clean Up Inside Windows
Once you’re logged in:
- Open Settings
- Go to Accounts → Your Info
- Look for “Stop signing in to all Microsoft apps automatically”
- Click it to finalize the conversion to a local account
This prevents Windows from trying to reconnect to the old Microsoft login.
Your PC is now fully unlocked.
Step 8: What You Lose After a Reset (Important)
When a password is reset this way, Windows deletes credentials that depended on your old password, such as:
- Saved Wi-Fi passwords
- Network share logins
- Some stored browser passwords
- Cached Microsoft credentials
This is normal because these items are encrypted using your previous password.
You can manually log back into everything.
Pro tip:
Use a password manager like Bitwarden (https://bitwarden.com) to avoid this issue in the future.
Step 9: Final Safety Steps You Should Take
To prevent future disasters:
- Create a secondary local administrator account
- Print or save your BitLocker recovery key
- Back up login credentials
- Enable password manager cloud sync
- Keep your recovery USB in a safe place
Your future self will thank you.
Optional Q&A Section
1. Does this delete my files?
No. Your data stays intact unless the drive is encrypted and you cannot unlock it.
2. Can this reset a Microsoft account password online?
No. This converts your Microsoft account into a local account instead.
3. Will Windows Update break this method?
No. The reset is permanent unless you manually relink Microsoft services.
4. What if I don’t see my Windows installation in Hiren’s?
Your drive might be encrypted or corrupted.
5. Can this bypass BitLocker?
Absolutely not. BitLocker cannot be bypassed without the recovery key.
Final Thoughts
A locked-out PC feels like a disaster — but with the right steps, you can regain control without reinstalling Windows, erasing files, or paying for overpriced repair tools. Tools like Hiren’s BootCD PE exist precisely for situations like this, and when used correctly, they restore access quickly and safely.
Just remember:
Always back up your BitLocker key.
Always keep a secondary admin account.
Always use a password manager.
Your PC — and your sanity — depend on it.
#Windows11 #Windows10 #PasswordReset #HirensBootCD #DTPTips
