Forgot Your Windows 11 PIN — How to Reset It

Forgetting your Windows 11 PIN is frustrating, but it does not mean you are locked out for good. The reset process is straightforward, and importantly, you will not lose any of your files or data. Here is how to reset your PIN from the Windows lock screen and from inside the Settings app.

Reset Your PIN from the Lock Screen

The quickest way to reset a forgotten PIN is directly from the sign-in screen without logging in:

1. At the Windows 11 lock screen, click I forgot my PIN below the PIN entry box
2. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using your Microsoft account password
3. Enter your Microsoft account password and click OK
4. Follow the prompts to set a new PIN

This method requires your device to be connected to the internet so Windows can verify your Microsoft account.

Reset Your PIN from Settings (If Already Logged In)

If you are already logged in but want to change or reset your PIN:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to Accounts > Sign-in options
3. Under PIN (Windows Hello), click I forgot my PIN
4. Verify your Microsoft account credentials
5. Set a new PIN

What If You Use a Local Account Instead of a Microsoft Account?

If your Windows 11 account is a local account (not linked to a Microsoft account), the reset process is different and depends on whether you set up security questions when you created the account:

1. At the lock screen, click Sign-in options
2. Click the key icon to switch to password sign-in
3. Below the password field, click Reset password
4. Answer your security questions to reset the password

If you did not set up security questions, you may need to sign in with a different administrator account on the same PC to reset it. If there is no other admin account available, you may need to use a Windows recovery USB.

PIN vs Password — What Is the Difference?

A Windows PIN is device-specific — it only works on the machine it was set up on. Your Microsoft account password works across all devices. When you reset your PIN, you are only changing the code used to unlock that particular machine. Your Microsoft account password remains unchanged.

Setting a New PIN

When choosing a new PIN:

• Minimum 4 digits, but you can use up to 127 characters
• You can include letters and symbols for a stronger PIN — tick Include letters and symbols when setting it
• Avoid obvious numbers like 1234 or your birth year

How to Remove Your PIN Entirely

If you would rather use your Microsoft account password to sign in instead of a PIN:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options
2. Under PIN (Windows Hello), click Remove
3. Confirm with your account password

Related Guides

• How to Reset a Windows 11 Password
• Windows 11 Account Locked Out Fix
• How to Switch to a Local Account in Windows 11

What to Do If You Can’t Verify Your Microsoft Account

Sometimes the standard PIN reset process fails. This usually happens when Windows cannot verify your Microsoft account identity — either because you have no internet connection, or because your recovery information is outdated or unavailable. Here are your options:

Use Your Phone or Another Device to Verify

If your lock screen method fails, you can verify your identity using a different device:

• On another computer or smartphone, visit account.microsoft.com and sign in
• Navigate to Security and look for a notification asking you to verify your identity
• Approve the sign-in request from your locked device
• Return to your Windows 11 machine — Windows should now recognise you

Check Your Internet Connection

PIN verification requires an active internet connection. If you are disconnected:

• Connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet
• Wait 30 seconds for Windows to establish the connection
• Try the reset process again

Wait Out the Lockout Period

After five failed PIN or password attempts, Windows locks you out for 10 minutes. If you have entered your PIN incorrectly multiple times, wait the full 10 minutes before trying again. This is a security feature and cannot be skipped.

Update Your Recovery Information

If you cannot access your account through the standard methods, go to account.microsoft.com from another device and:

• Update your recovery email address (use one you actively check)
• Add a phone number for recovery
• Review your security info and remove outdated entries

This prevents the same problem happening again.

Last Resort: Use a Recovery USB

If you have no other device available and cannot verify your account, you will need a Windows 11 installation USB or recovery USB to reset your access. This requires another computer to create the USB and is time-consuming, but it will work. Follow Microsoft’s official guide on creating a recovery USB before you need it.