How to Change Windows 11 Password via Command Prompt
Changing your Windows 11 password using the Command Prompt is a direct way to manage your account security.
The Command Prompt, or CMD, is a tool that lets you type commands to tell Windows what to do. This method lets you change your password without using the usual Settings app.
You can use the `net user` command in Command Prompt to quickly reset a forgotten password or set a new one. For example, the command `net user yourusername NewPassword` directly changes your password.
This is helpful if you need to update your password quickly or if you can’t remember your old one and need to get back into your account.
Open Command Prompt as administrator, then type “net user USERNAME *” and press Enter. Replace USERNAME with your actual account name. You will be prompted to enter and confirm your new password.
Changing Your Password via Windows Settings
You can change your Windows 11 password using the built-in Settings app. This method works for both Microsoft accounts and local accounts on your computer. Open Settings, navigate to Accounts, then Sign-in options, select Password, and click Change to follow the steps.
- Open the Start menu and click the Settings gear icon.
- Select Accounts from the left sidebar.
- Click on Sign-in options.
- Choose Password and click the Change button.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to verify your identity and set a new password.
Microsoft Account vs. Local Account
Knowing your account type is important. A Microsoft account links to your email and syncs settings across your devices; password changes happen through the official Microsoft online portal. A local account is unique to your specific computer.
Changing Password via Command Prompt (Admin Required)
Changing your Windows 11 password with the Command Prompt is a quick way to update it if you have administrator access. First, open Command Prompt as an administrator. Then, type ‘net user’ to see your username, and finally use ‘net user USERNAME *’ to set a new password for that user.
To run Command Prompt as an administrator in Windows 11, search for ‘Command Prompt’ in the Start menu, right-click the result, and select ‘Run as administrator.’ This grants the necessary permissions for system-level changes.
2. To see your user list, type the following command:
net user
3. Then, to change a specific user’s password, enter this command and press Enter:
net user USERNAME *
Changing Password via PowerShell (Admin Required)
You can change your Windows 11 password using PowerShell if you have administrator privileges. Open PowerShell as an administrator, then use the ‘Get-LocalUser’ command to see your account. After that, you’ll create a secure password variable and apply it to update your account’s password.
- Open PowerShell as an administrator.
- View your local users with this command:
Get-LocalUser
3. Create a secure password variable and apply it to your account:
$Password = Read-Host "Enter the new password" -AsSecureString4. Use these commands to finalize the change:
$UserAccount = Get-LocalUser -Name "USERNAME"
$UserAccount | Set-LocalUser -Password $PasswordSummary
You can change your Windows 11 password using the Settings app for simplicity, or Command Prompt and PowerShell for faster administrative control.
Can I change my 🪟 Windows 11 password without knowing the old one?
If you’ve forgotten your Windows 11 password, you can’t change it directly; instead, you must use the ‘I forgot my password’ option on the sign-in screen to reset it.
Is it safer to use a PIN or a password in 🪟 Windows 11?
Using a PIN for your Windows 11 login is generally safer than a password because it’s tied to your device and stored securely, making it harder to steal remotely.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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