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18 July 2025  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
Last update by Olivia Brown at 18 July 2025

Summary
Learn how to change Windows 11 password using CMD with this straightforward guide. This article covers locked-out scenarios and essential tech skills to safely reset your Windows 11 password via command line.



Table of contents

table iconPart 1: Why You Should Change Your Windows 11 Password Using CMD
table iconPart 2: Change Windows 11 Password Using CMD if User Can Login
table iconPart 3: Locked Out? Advanced Ways to Change a Forgotten Windows 11 Password Using CMD
table iconFinal Words
Locked out of your Windows 11 PC because you forgot your password? Worried about a security breach and need to update your password fast? Or perhaps you’re an IT admin managing multiple accounts or a tech enthusiast eager to master system administration? Whatever your reason, this guide has you covered. We’ll show you how to change your Windows 11 password using CMD—a fast, powerful method that works for local accounts, especially when standard options like the settings menu fail.
Whether you’re troubleshooting a locked account, securing your data, or learning new tech skills, using the Command Prompt (CMD) gives you direct control over your Windows 11 system. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for both logged-in and locked-out scenarios, including using CMD commands like net user, PowerShell, and tools like Renee PassNow. Let’s get started!
Note: The techniques shared in this post are also compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10.
The command-line tools mentioned in this post do not support modifying Microsoft Accounts and Domain Accounts. However, Renee PassNow can convert a Microsoft account to a local account and reset its password. If you need to reset Microsoft Account password, please read here.

Part 1: Why You Should Change Your Windows 11 Password Using CMD

Keeping your Windows 11 password up-to-date is a must to protect your data and maintain control over your system. Whether you’re locked out, managing multiple accounts, or just want to boost your tech skills, using the Command Prompt (CMD) is a powerful and reliable solution. It’s especially handy when standard methods, like the Settings menu, don’t work due to forgotten passwords or system glitches. Below, we’ve outlined the key reasons why users turn to CMD for password changes and how this guide addresses those needs.
User IntentScenarioHow this Article Addresses It
Forgotten PasswordYou’re locked out of your Windows 11 PC because you forgot your local account password and don’t have recovery options like a reset disk.This guide provides clear CMD-based solutions, such as the net user command, to reset your password, even when locked out, along with user-friendly tools like Renee PassNow.

Administrative Tasks

IT professionals or system admins need to efficiently update or reset passwords for multiple user accounts on Windows 11 systems.

The article provides step-by-step CMD and PowerShell commands to streamline password management across multiple accounts, saving time for admins.

Security Concerns

You suspect your password may have been compromised and need a quick, secure way to change it to protect your data.

We emphasize CMD’s reliability for fast password resets, ensuring your Windows 11 account stays secure against potential cyber threats.

Learning System Administration

Tech enthusiasts or students want to learn how to manage Windows 11 systems using command-line tools like CMD.

The guide explains CMD techniques in detail, making it a practical resource for mastering system administration skills.

Troubleshooting

Standard password reset methods (e.g., via Settings or Control Panel) fail due to system errors or corrupted user profiles.

The article includes advanced CMD methods, like replacing Sticky Keys or Utility Manager, to bypass issues and regain access to your system.

Understanding these scenarios helps you see why CMD is such a valuable tool for managing Windows 11 passwords. Whether you’re a beginner dealing with a forgotten password or an IT pro handling multiple systems, this guide provides practical, step-by-step solutions to meet your needs. The methods we cover—using CMD, PowerShell, and third-party tools—are designed to work for both logged-in and locked-out situations, ensuring you’re never stuck.

Part 2: Change Windows 11 Password Using CMD if User Can Login

Now that you understand why keeping your password updated is so important, let’s dive into how to actually do it. If you’re already logged into your Windows 11 account, using the Command Prompt or PowerShell is a quick and straightforward way to change your password. These methods give you direct control over your system and are perfect for users who prefer command-line tools over navigating menus. Here’s how to change your Windows 11 password using CMD when you can still log in.
Prerequisite: Before you begin, ensure you are running Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrative privileges. These commands require elevated permissions to modify user accounts.
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Method 1: Use NET Command to Change Windows 11 Password Using CMD

Using the Command Prompt is a quick and efficient way to manage user accounts if you know your current login details. Here’s the step-by-step process to change your Windows 11 password using CMD.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt with Admin Rights
To get started, click the “Start” button or press the Windows key on your keyboard. Type “cmd” into the search bar. When it shows up in the results, right-click on it and choose “Run as administrator“. This is important because you need special permissions to change passwords.
Windows 11, run cmd as administrator
Step 2: List All User Accounts
Once the Command Prompt window is open, type the following command and press Enter:

net user

This will show you every local user account on your system, helping you identify the exact username you need to modify.
Step 3: Select the User and Prepare to Change the Password
Now, type the net user command again, but this time, follow it with the specific username and an asterisk (*). The asterisk tells CMD that you want to be prompted to enter a new password. For example, if the username is “Solina”, the command would be:

net user Solina *

Replace “Solina” with your actual username. Press Enter to proceed.
Step 4: Type and Confirm Your New Password
CMD will now ask you to “Type a password for the user:” . Enter your new, strong password. Note that you won’t see any characters as you type—this is a security feature. Press Enter. You’ll then be asked to “Retype the password to confirm:” . Type the exact same password again and press Enter.
Type a password for the user
Step 5: Confirmation
If both entries match, you’ll see a message that says, “The command completed successfully.” That’s it! You’ve successfully managed to change your Windows 11 password using CMD. You can now sign out and log back into your user account with your brand-new password.

Batch Processing

If you need to change multiple account passwords, you may try to use the following batch code:

@echo off
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion

REM Define the new password
set NEW_PASSWORD=123456@123

REM Specify the file containing usernames (e.g., userlist.txt)
set USER_FILE=userlist.txt

REM Check if the file exists
if not exist "%USER_FILE%" (
echo User file not found: %USER_FILE%
exit /b
)

REM Read each line (username) and update the password
for /f "delims=" %%u in (%USER_FILE%) do (
echo Updating password for user %%u…
net user "%%u" "%NEW_PASSWORD%" >nul 2>&1
if !errorlevel! EQU 0 (
echo Password updated successfully for %%u
) else (
echo Failed to update password for %%u (user may not exist or insufficient privileges)
)
)

echo All operations completed.
pause

Your userlist.txt should be a plain text file, with one username per line like so:

Alice
Bob
Charlie

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Method 2: Change Windows 11 Password Using CMD via PowerShell

For those who want to try another powerful command-line tool, Windows PowerShell offers a modern way to manage your system. Here’s how you can use PowerShell to change your Windows 11 password using CMD-like commands.
Step 1: Open Windows Terminal (PowerShell)
Click the “Start” button, type PowerShell, and open it. By default, it opens with a PowerShell tab, so you’re ready to go. Make sure to run it as an administrator for the necessary permissions.
powershell start menu Windows 11
Step 2: List User Accounts (Optional)
To see a list of users, you can enter the command Get-LocalUser. This will show you all local accounts on the machine.
Step 3: Enter the Password Change Commands
This process involves three commands. First, create a secure string variable to hold the new password. Type this and press Enter. You’ll be prompted to type the new password.

$Password = Read-Host "Enter the New Password" -AsSecureString

Next, identify the user account you want to change. Replace “USERNAME” with the actual user’s name.

$UserAccount = Get-LocalUser -Name "USERNAME"

Finally, apply the new password to that user account with this command:

Set-LocalUser -InputObject $UserAccount -Password $Password

After running these commands, the password for the specified user will be updated.
You can now log out and test your new password. PowerShell provides a scriptable and powerful alternative to the traditional CMD method.

Batch Processing

If you need to alter multiple account password, you may try to use the following powershell batch code:

# Define new password as a secure string
$NewPassword = ConvertTo-SecureString "123456@123" -AsPlainText -Force

# Path to the file containing usernames (one per line)
$UserListFile = "userlist.txt"

# Check if the file exists
if (-Not (Test-Path $UserListFile)) {
Write-Host "User file not found: $UserListFile"
exit
}

# Read usernames and update password for each
Get-Content $UserListFile | ForEach-Object {
$username = $_.Trim()
if ($username) {
try {
Write-Host "Updating password for user: $username"
Set-LocalUser -Name $username -Password $NewPassword
Write-Host "Password updated successfully for $username"
} catch {
Write-Host "Failed to update password for $username. Error: $_"
}
}
}

Write-Host "All operations completed."

userlist.txt should contain one username per line with no extra formatting.
Tips: PowerShell offers multiple ways to manage and change your Windows 11 password using CMD-like techniques.

Part 3: Locked Out? Advanced Ways to Change a Forgotten Windows 11 Password Using CMD

What happens if you can’t log into your Windows 11 account because you’ve forgotten your password? Don’t worry—there are still ways to regain access. The methods in Part 2 are great when you’re logged in, but if you’re locked out, you’ll need a different approach. In this section, we’ll explore advanced techniques to change your Windows 11 password using CMD, including using third-party tools and leveraging a Windows installation disk to bypass the login screen.

Method 1: Reset Windows 11 Password with Renee PassNow (with GUI)

If you’re locked out of your Windows 11 PC, Renee PassNow is a lifesaver. This user-friendly tool helps you reset or remove passwords for local accounts, administrators, or Microsoft accounts without needing prior password hints. It’s compatible with Windows 11 and ensures your data stays safe during the process.
Important Note: When resetting a Microsoft account password, Renee PassNow works by converting it into a local account. After regaining access, you can reconnect it to your Microsoft account in Windows Settings if you wish.
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Here’s how to use Renee PassNow to change your Windows 11 password:

Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow on Another Computer
Since you can’t access your locked PC, use a different computer to download Renee PassNow from its official website.
Install it, choosing the version that matches the operating system of the computer you’re using.
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive or CD/DVD
Launch Renee PassNow and insert a USB flash drive or a blank CD/DVD. Select the option to create a bootable media and follow the on-screen instructions to create your password reset disk.
Create New Windows 11 Password Reset Disk with Renee PassNow
Step 3: Boot Your Locked Windows 11 PC from the Bootable Media
Insert the bootable USB or CD/DVD into your locked Windows 11 computer and restart. Enter the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key during startup (usually F2, Delete, or Esc, depending on your device). In the BIOS, set the USB or CD/DVD as the first boot device, save the changes, and exit.
Boot the target PC with the created password reset USB/CD/DVD.
To access the BIOS/UEFI settings, restart your computer and press the appropriate key for your device, as listed below for common server and computer brands:
Common Server:
DELLPress the F12 key repeatedly before the Dell logo appears on the screen.

HP

Press the F9 key multiple times when the HP logo is displayed.

Common Computers:
ASRockDEL or F2

ASUS

DEL or F2 for PCs/ DEL or F2 for Motherboards

Acer

DEL or F2

Dell

F12 or F2

ECS

DEL

Gigabyte / Aorus

DEL or F2

Lenovo (Consumer Laptops)

F2 or Fn + F2

Lenovo (Desktops)

F1

Lenovo (ThinkPads)

Enter then F1

MSI

DEL

Microsoft Surface Tablets

Press and hold Power and Volume Up buttons

Origin PC

F2

Samsung

F2

Toshiba

F2

Zotac

DEL

HP

Esc/ F9 for Boot Menu/ Esc/ F10/ Storage tab/ Boot Order/ Legacy Boot Sources

INTEL

F10

Step 4: Select the Password Reset Function
After booting from the media, Renee PassNow will load. Select “PassNow!” from the menu to start the password reset process.
click on passnow to reset login password
Step 5: Reset Your Windows 11 Password
Select your Windows 11 installation from the list (usually only one). Choose the user account you want to reset and click “Clear Password” to remove the password.
Select target Windows system in the list
Select target user account in the list
Step 6: Reboot Your PC
Remove the bootable media and restart your computer. You can now log in without a password.

Method 2: Change Windows 11 Password Using CMD by Replacing Sticky Keys

If you don’t have access to third-party tools, you can use a Windows 11 installation disk to bypass the login screen and reset your password using CMD. This method replaces the Sticky Keys program with Command Prompt, allowing you to change your Windows 11 password using CMD.
ou can download the latest Windows installation media from the official Microsoft website, as listed below:
Windows 7https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/products/windows-7PC with a working Internet connection/ a blank USB flash drive or DVD with at least 8 GB of available storage space/ a product key

Windows 8/8.1

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows8

Same to above

Windows 10

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

Same to above

Windows 11

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

Same to above

Step 1: Insert the Windows 11 installation disk and restart your computer. Boot from the disk by adjusting the boot order in the BIOS (usually accessed with F2, Delete, or Esc).
Step 2: Select “Repair your computer” from the installation screen.
windows installation repair your computer
Step 3: Navigate to “Troubleshoot” -> “Advanced options” -> “Command Prompt“.
command prompt
Step 4: Type and enter:

move c:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe c:\

This moves the Sticky Keys program (sethc.exe) to the root of the C: drive.
Step 5: Type and enter:

copy c:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe c:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe

This replaces Sticky Keys with Command Prompt.
Step 6: Restart your computer and boot normally. On the login screen, At the password prompt, press Shift five times. A Command Prompt window should appear.
press Shift key five times
Step 7: In the Command Prompt, type:

net user username *

Replace username with your account’s username. This will prompt you to set a new password. If you press Enter without typing anything, it will set a blank password.
Step 8: Log in with the blank password and change it via the Control Panel.
Pros:
  • Can be used to change password without forgetting it

Cons:

  • Requires a Windows 10 installation disk
  • Requires some knowledge of using computer consoles
  • May not work on certain computer systems

Method 3: Change Windows 11 Password Using CMD by Replacing Utility Manager

Another way to change your Windows 11 password using CMD involves replacing the Utility Manager program with the Command Prompt using a Windows 11 installation disk. This method is useful if you’ve forgotten your password and can’t log in.
Step 1: Boot from the Windows 11 Installation Disk
Insert the installation disk and restart. Access the Boot Option Menu by pressing the appropriate key (e.g., F12, Esc) and select the USB drive.
Step 2: Replace Utility Manager with Command Prompt
shift + f10 while install Windows
On the setup screen, press “Shift + F10” to open Command Prompt. Execute:

move C:\windows\system32\utilman.exe C:\

copy C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe C:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Remove the disk and restart.
Step 3: Reset Windows 11 Local Admin Password with Command Prompt
ease_of_access_in_login_screen
On the login screen, click the Ease of Access icon to open Command Prompt. Type:

net user username *

Replace username with your desired values.

Step 4: Restore Utility Manager
Insert the installation disk, restart, and press “Shift + F10” . Type:

copy C:\utilman.exe C:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Confirm with “Yes“.
Step 5: Login to Windows 11 with Local Admin Account
Close Command Prompt, reboot, and log in with the new password.
Tips: Make sure you have a Windows 11 installation disk or create one using the Windows Media Creation Tool on another computer.
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Final Words

All the methods detailed above are for local user accounts on your Windows 11 PC. Changing your Microsoft account password is a different process done online. However, for local security, these command-line techniques are incredibly effective, reliable, and straightforward.
We’ve covered how to change a Windows 11 password using CMD in great detail, giving you a powerful tool for system management. And if you ever find yourself locked out, a utility like Renee PassNow can help you regain access quickly and easily. With these solutions in your toolkit, you’ll never have to worry about password problems again.

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