How to Unlock Windows 10 or 11 in 2024 Update: A Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

Windows 10 and 11 have a feature that allows you to set a password or PIN to secure your device and prevent unauthorized access. This can be useful for protecting sensitive data, but it also means that if you forget your password or PIN, you'll be locked out of your own PC.

Fortunately, Windows provides several methods to help unlock your device so you can get back to using it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to unlock Windows 10 or 11 in 2024 feature update.

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Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure you have the following:

The Windows 10 or 11 device you want to unlock. This guide will work on any PC running Windows 10 version 1909 or later or Windows 11.
An internet connection. Some of the unlock methods require accessing online accounts.
Your BitLocker recovery key if you use BitLocker encryption.
Access to a second administrative account on the device if one exists.
Your Windows installation media if you need to reset your device.

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Step 1: Use an Online Account

If you linked an online Microsoft account to your Windows user profile, you may be able to use that account to unlock the device.

To try this method:

Restart your locked Windows 10 or 11 PC.
On the sign-in screen, click the user icon for your locked account.
Select the “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead” link.
Enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account when prompted.
If successful, you will be signed in and able to access your PC.

This allows you to use your online credentials to authenticate and bypass the local password or PIN. It works best if you have a Microsoft account linked to your Windows profile.

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Step 2: Use Device Unlock in Find My Device

If you have a Microsoft account added to your Windows device, you can use the Device Unlock feature in the Find My Device service. This allows you to securely unlock your PC over the internet.

To use Device Unlock:

On another internet-connected device, go to account.microsoft.com and log in with your Microsoft account.
Click on “Devices” and find your locked Windows PC in the list. Click on it.
Click “Unlock” to bring up the Device Unlock screen.
Verify your identity through two-factor authentication using a generated code or authenticator app.
Select “Unlock” and your Windows device will be unlocked remotely.

This method allows you to securely unlock your device from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection and a Microsoft account added to your Windows profile.

Step 3: Reset Your Password or PIN

If you don't have access to an online account or the Device Unlock option does not work, you can reset your local password or PIN directly on the device.

To reset your password:

Restart your Windows 10 or 11 PC and get to the sign-in screen.
Click the “Reset password” link below the password field.
Select either “Windows Hello PIN” if you use a PIN or “Password” if you use a traditional password.
Choose how you want to reset it:Answer security questions: Answer three security questions you previously set up.Enter recovery key: Enter a Microsoft account recovery key if you have one.Contact IT admin: Have your organization's IT admin reset your credentials.Security questions via email: Have a reset link emailed to an account on file.Security questions via phone: Answer questions received via text or voice call.
Follow the remaining prompts to set a new password or PIN.

This allows you to reset your local sign-in credentials without needing access to your Microsoft account. Make sure to choose secure answers for your security questions.

Step 4: Use an Administrator Account

If there is another administrator account on your Windows device, you can use it to reset your forgotten password.

Step 5: Boot Into Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode on Windows 10 or 11 loads a minimal version of the operating system. From there you can access your user account and reset your credentials.

To boot into Safe Mode and reset your password:

Force restart your Windows PC 2-3 times until you reach the Automatic Repair screen.
Select “Advanced options.”
Go to “Troubleshoot.”
Choose “Advanced options.”
Select “Startup Settings.”
Click "Restart."
Once your PC restarts, press F4 or 4 on your keyboard to initiate Safe Mode.
Log in with your user account. You should now be able to reset your password or PIN by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

This gives you a simple Windows environment to reset your local credentials without external account access.

Step 6: Use a Password Reset Disk

If you created a password reset disk when initially setting up your account, you can use it to unlock your device. This disk contains the data needed to reset your account password.

To use a password reset disk:

Insert the USB disk into your locked Windows PC.
Restart your computer.
The system should detect the disk on boot and launch the password reset process.
Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password using the disk.
Remove the disk and sign in normally once complete.

This method provides offline password reset capabilities using your previously created disk.

Step 7: Recover BitLocker Encryption Keys

If your Windows device utilizes BitLocker encryption, your data will remain inaccessible until you can recover the proper encryption keys.

To find your BitLocker recovery keys:

Check your Microsoft account. They may have been automatically backed up there.
Locate the recovery key printout you made when initially setting up BitLocker.
Use the recovery console to retrieve keys during boot up.
Use the BitLocker recovery password you set up when turning on BitLocker.

Once you have the 48-digit recovery key, you can unlock your encrypted drive and reset your credentials.

Step 8: Remove the Password with a Bootable Windows USB

If none of the previous password reset methods are working, you can use a bootable Windows 10 or 11 USB drive to access your system and remove the account password completely.

To use a bootable USB to remove your password:

Download Windows 10 or 11 installation media and create a bootable USB drive.
Boot your locked PC from the USB drive.
When prompted, select your language and click "Next."
Choose "Repair your computer."
Go to “Troubleshoot.”
Select "Command Prompt."
Type the following command to list user profiles:

dir c:\Users

Determine the problematic profile folder name (ex: “JohnSmith”).
Use this command to remove the user account password:

net user JohnSmith ""

Close Command Prompt, select "Continue," and sign in with no password.

This completely resets the account password and lets you access your PC. You can set a new password once signed in.

Step 9: Reset Windows to Factory Settings

If no other method works and you need to fully reset your device, you can choose to reset Windows 10 or 11 to factory settings. This will remove all of your files and data but will also take off the account password.

To reset your PC:

Boot from Windows installation media or the recovery partition.
Choose your language and click “Next.”
Select "Troubleshoot."
Go to "Reset this PC."
Pick either "Keep my files" or "Remove everything" depending on whether you want to delete personal data.
Follow the remaining prompts to reset Windows and set up your account again without a password.

Make sure to fully backup your data before taking this step, as it will wipe your PC.

The Bottom Line

There are several different methods you can use to unlock your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC if you get locked out by a password or PIN:

Use an associated Microsoft account to authenticate and unlock the device.
Remotely unlock through the Device Unlock service on another PC.
Reset your password or PIN directly from the sign-in screen.
Sign in with another administrative account to change the password.
Boot into Safe Mode to access your account with limited functionality.
Use a password reset disk if you created one for your account.
Retrieve BitLocker encryption keys to decrypt your drive.
Use a bootable Windows USB to fully remove the password.
Reset your PC to factory settings to wipe the password.

The easiest options involve using an online Microsoft account or a secondary administrator account if available. Resetting your local credentials from the sign-in screen works if you set up the proper security questions. And if all else fails, you can use installation media to either remove the password or fully reset Windows.

Following the step-by-step instructions for the various password reset methods can help get you back into your locked Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Just make sure to have the necessary tools available based on the option you choose. With some patience you should be able to successfully unlock your device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to unlock Windows 10?

Yes, it's possible to unlock Windows 10 in most cases, even if you've forgotten your password. There are several methods you can try, depending on the specific situation.

What to do if Windows 10 is locked:

Try entering your password or PIN: If you remember your password or PIN, simply enter it at the lock screen to unlock your device.
Use the shortcut key: Press Windows key + L to quickly lock or unlock your Windows 10 device.
Try using a password reset disk: If you created a password reset disk beforehand, you can use it to reset your password and regain access.
Use the "Forgot password" feature: If you've linked your Microsoft account to your Windows 10 device, you can use the "Forgot password" feature to reset it online.
Access Safe Mode: If you're unable to unlock Windows 10 normally, try booting into Safe Mode, which allows you to troubleshoot issues and make changes to your system.

How to unlock my lock screen on Windows 10:

Swipe up on the lock screen image (if you have a touchscreen device).
Enter your password or PIN.
Use a fingerprint or facial recognition (if your device supports it).

What to do if my laptop is locked:

Follow the same steps mentioned above for unlocking a Windows 10 device. If you're still unable to unlock it, you may need to contact your laptop manufacturer or a professional for assistance.

Can you factory reset a locked computer?

Yes, you can factory reset a locked computer, but this will erase all of your personal data and settings. It should only be used as a last resort if other methods fail.

To factory reset a locked Windows 10 computer:

Access the recovery options: This can usually be done by pressing a specific key (like F11 or F8) during startup.
Choose the "Reset this PC" option.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.

How do I unlock a locked computer Windows 11?

There are a few ways to unlock a locked computer in Windows 11:

Use the Microsoft password reset tool. If you can't access your computer's sign-in screen, you can use the Microsoft password reset tool to create a new password. To do this, you'll need to have access to a different device with an internet connection.
Use a password manager. If you use a password manager, you may be able to retrieve your password from there.
Use a third-party password recovery tool. There are a number of third-party password recovery tools available that can help you unlock your computer.

How do I unlock a locked Windows 10?

The steps for unlocking a locked Windows 10 computer are similar to those for Windows 11:

Use the Microsoft password reset tool.
Use a password manager.
Use a third-party password recovery tool.

Why Windows 11 locked?

There are a few reasons why Windows 11 might lock:

You entered an incorrect password too many times.
Someone else tried to log in to your computer with an incorrect password.
Your computer has been idle for a long period of time.
You have a security policy in place that locks your computer after a certain period of inactivity.

How do I switch to Windows 10 from 11?

To switch to Windows 10 from Windows 11, you can either downgrade your computer or do a clean install of Windows 10.
To downgrade your computer, go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back to Windows 10.
To do a clean install of Windows 10, you will need to create a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD with the Windows 10 installation media. Once you have created the bootable media, connect it to your computer and boot it up. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.

Is Windows 10 or 11 better?

Windows 11 has a number of new features and improvements over Windows 10, such as a new user interface, a new Start menu, and new widgets. However, Windows 10 is still a very capable operating system.

Ultimately, the best operating system for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are happy with Windows 10, there is no need to upgrade to Windows 11. However, if you are looking for a new operating system with a modern look and feel, Windows 11 is a good option.

How do I revert from Windows 11 to 10 without going back?

If you have upgraded to Windows 11 and you want to revert to Windows 10 without going back to a previous restore point, you can do a clean install of Windows 10.

To do this, you will need to create a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD with the Windows 10 installation media. Once you have created the bootable media, connect it to your computer and boot it up. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.

How do I go back to Windows 10 after 10 days?

If you have upgraded to Windows 11 and you want to go back to Windows 10 within 10 days, you can use the Go back to Windows 10 option in the Settings app.
To do this, go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back to Windows 10.

How to uninstall Windows 11 and reinstall Windows 10 after 10 days?

If you have upgraded to Windows 11 and you want to uninstall Windows 11 and reinstall Windows 10 after 10 days, you can do a clean install of Windows 10.

Is it possible to go back to Windows 10?

Yes, it is possible to go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11, even if it has been more than 10 days. However, you will need to do a clean install of Windows 10.