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24 July 2025  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
Last update by Olivia Brown at 25 July 2025

Summary
Discover how to bypass admin password on Windows 11 with practical, step-by-step methods. Learn the right techniques to regain access, handle UAC prompts, and reset forgotten credentials.



Table of contents

table iconMethod 1: Bypass Admin Password on Windows 11 with a Windows Reset Disk
table iconMethod 2: The Easiest Solution - Bypass Admin Password Using Renee PassNow
table iconMethod 3: The Technical Route - Bypass Admin Password on Windows 11 via Command Prompt
table iconBonus: How to Bypass UAC Password Prompts on Windows 11
table iconFAQs: Your Questions Answered
table iconFinal Notes
Forgot your admin password? Blocked by UAC prompts? Need to install software or change settings without admin rights? You’re not alone.
windows 11 UAC block or admin password error

Whether you’re managing a personal PC or dealing with a shared or second-hand device, this guide offers step-by-step solutions to bypass the admin password and UAC prompts. From forgetting passwords to installing software without admin rights or learning Windows security, we’ve got you covered with methods like password reset disks, Renee PassNow, and Command Prompt tricks. Let’s get you back in control—often with just a blank password!

Method 1: Bypass Admin Password on Windows 11 with a Windows Reset Disk

This is the official and simplest method, but it requires you to have created a password reset disk before you forgot your password.
Tips: You can ask your system administrator to provide the disk. In some formal IT management procedures, it’s required that a password reset disk be created for each machine’s administrator account and securely maintained by the administrator.
If you have one, here’s how to use it:
1. On the Windows 11 login screen, type in a wrong password and hit Enter. You’ll see an “incorrect password” message. Click OK.
Windows 10 Password Incorrect
If you’re using a Microsoft account, this method won’t work. To reset your Windows administrator password, please visit account.live.com/password/reset.
forgot microsoft account password
2. You will be returned to the login screen, but this time you should see a Reset password link underneath the password field. Click on it.
3. The Password Reset Wizard will launch. At this point, insert your password reset USB or disk and follow the Password Reset Wizard prompts to complete the process.
insert password reset disk
You’ve reset your admin password!
Post-Reset Tip: If UAC prompts appear, leave the password field blank to bypass them, as the reset account now allows empty credentials.
This method only works if you were proactive. You can’t create a password reset disk once you’re locked out. Create one after regaining access to avoid future lockouts.

Method 2: The Easiest Solution - Bypass Admin Password Using Renee PassNow

If you didn’t prepare a reset disk, Renee PassNow is a user-friendly third-party tool to bypass your password without data loss. It’s ideal for non-technical users and can help with UAC issues by setting the Administrator Account to blank too.
Renee PassNow is compatible with both local and Microsoft accounts.
Renee Passnow – Professional Windows Password Remover

Remove Windows Login Password 3 steps for whole password remove process.

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Multifuctional Data transfer, data recovery, bootable problem recovery can be run without system.

Highly compatible Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista. UEFI boot.

Remove Login Password Support Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista. UEFI boot.

Recover the files Recover the deleted files without Windows system.

Transfer the data Transfer the important files of the computer with system.

Free TrialFree TrialNow 2000 people have downloaded!

Why Choose Renee PassNow?

When you’re locked out of your Windows 11 PC or block by the UAC password prompt, Renee PassNow offers a seamless and secure way to regain access. This powerful recovery tool is designed to reset or remove login passwords for local accounts, administrator accounts, and even Microsoft accounts, all without needing password hints or prior setup. Unlike other methods, it ensures no data loss, making it ideal for users who want to protect their files, photos, and documents. Renee PassNow is fully compatible with Windows 11, as well as older versions like Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. It also supports multiple languages and includes handy features like secure file transfer, disk erasure, and file previews. Even if your PC fails to boot, its Data Transfer feature lets you move files between drives or partitions effortlessly.
Here’s how you can use Renee PassNow to bypass your Windows 11 admin password in just a few simple steps:
Tip: If you’re using a Microsoft account, Renee PassNow will convert it to a local account during the reset process. After logging in, you’ll need to reconnect your account to your Microsoft account. Post-reset, UAC prompts can be bypassed by leaving the password field blank.

Steps to Bypass Admin Password with Renee PassNow

Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow
Head to the official Renee PassNow website and download the software onto a different computer that you have access to. Install it by following the simple setup instructions, choosing the version that matches your computer’s operating system.
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or CD/DVD
Launch Renee PassNow on the accessible computer and insert a USB flash drive or a blank CD/DVD. In the software, select the option to create a bootable media and follow the on-screen prompts to prepare your USB or CD/DVD.
Create New Windows 11 Password Reset Disk with Renee PassNow
Step 3: Boot the Locked PC from the Bootable Media
Insert the newly created bootable USB or CD/DVD into your locked Windows 11 computer.
Boot the target PC with the created password reset USB/CD/DVD.
Restart the PC and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key (often F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) during startup. Adjust the boot order to prioritize the bootable media. Below is a quick reference for common systems:
Common Servers:
Server TypeEnter Boot Menu Method

DELL

Press 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:
PC Module NameEnter Boot Menu Method

ASRock

DEL 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
Once the PC boots from the media, Renee PassNow will load its interface. Select the “PassNow!” function to begin the password reset process.
After loading into main interface, please select the “PassNow!” function.
Step 5: Reset the Password
From the list, choose the Windows 11 system and the user account you want to reset. Click the “Clear Password” button to remove the password for the selected administrator account.
Select target Windows system in the list
Select target user account in the list
Step 6: Reboot the PC
After the password is reset, safely remove the bootable media and restart your computer. You’ll now be able to log into your Windows 11 account without a password or simply click “OK” on the UAC password prompt to bypass it.
UAC Tip: When UAC prompts appear, leave the password field blank to bypass them.

Create a New Admin Account to Avoid UAC Prompts

If you don’t have an admin account or want to permanently avoid UAC password prompts, Renee PassNow can create a new administrator account:
1. In the Renee PassNow interface, select “Create New Account” instead of “Clear Password”.
Create new account
2. The default account name and password will be Renee and 123456789.
successfully create new account
3. Log in with the new account. This account has full admin privileges, and UAC prompts can be bypassed by leaving the password field blank if no password was set.
This method eliminates UAC issues for tasks like installing software or changing settings, making it ideal for shared devices or second-hand PCs.

Method 3: The Technical Route - Bypass Admin Password on Windows 11 via Command Prompt

Warning: Windows Defender may detect this method in recent updates. If blocked, try Method 2
If you’re comfortable with technical methods and don’t want third-party tools, use the Command Prompt with a Windows 11 installation media.

Pre-requisite:

You’ll need a Windows 11 installation media (USB or DVD). Create one using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool on another PC.
1. Insert the Windows 11 installation media into your locked computer and restart it. Boot from the media by adjusting the BIOS boot order (press F2, F12, DEL, or ESC during startup).
You may download it from: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
2. At the Windows Setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
shift + f10 while install Windows
3. Replace the Accessibility tool (Sticky Keys) with Command Prompt:

D:
cd Windows\System32
ren sethc.exe sethc.exe.bak
copy cmd.exe sethc.exe

4. Close Command Prompt, cancel the setup, and restart your PC (remove the media).
5. At the login screen, press Shift five times to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
press Shift key five times
6. Reset the password:

net user [username] [new_password]

Replace [ username ] with your account name (use quotes if it contains spaces, e.g., “John Smith”) and [ new_password ] with your new password—or leave it blank for no password.
7. Close Command Prompt and log in.
UAC Tip: After resetting, UAC prompts can be bypassed by leaving the password field blank if you set no password.

Optional but Recommended: Restore Sticky Keys

To secure your system, restore the original Sticky Keys file:

D:
cd Windows\System32
ren sethc.exe.bak sethc.exe

Other equivalent methods

In practice, besides replacing sethc.exe (Sticky Keys handler), you can also swap out osk.exe (On-Screen Keyboard) and utilman.exe (Accessibility Manager) depending on the situation. All three programs are located in the C:/Windows/System32/ directory — the only difference is how they’re triggered on the login screen.
ease_of_access_in_login_screen
Click this icon to start utilman.exe (Accessibility Manager).

Bonus: How to Bypass UAC Password Prompts on Windows 11

Struggling with UAC prompts blocking software installs or settings changes? Here are additional methods to bypass UAC:
a. Search for Change User Account Control settings in the Start menu.
b. Slide the bar to Never notify and click OK.
user account control never notify
c. Reboot your PC.
Warning: Disabling UAC reduces security—use only if necessary.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

1. I forgot my admin password—can I recover it without a reset disk?

Yes, use Renee PassNow (Method 2) or Command Prompt (Method 3) to reset it without prior setup. Post-reset, UAC prompts accept a blank password.

2. Why do UAC prompts keep asking for a password?

UAC requires admin credentials for tasks like installing software. Reset your password or create a new admin account (Method 2), then use a blank password to bypass prompts.

3. Can I install software without admin rights?

Yes, create a new admin account with Renee PassNow (Method 2) or enable the built-in admin account (Bonus Method). Log in and install without UAC issues.

4. I’m on a shared PC—how do I bypass UAC?

Use Renee PassNow to create a new admin account (Method 2). Log in with it, and UAC prompts can be bypassed with a blank password.

5. Is it safe to reset my password or bypass UAC?

Yes, the methods here preserve data. However, back up critical files first. Disabling UAC (Bonus Method) reduces security, so use sparingly.

6. I got a second-hand PC with an admin password—what now?

Use Renee PassNow to reset the password or create a new admin account (Method 2). Log in and bypass UAC with a blank password.

7. Can I learn Windows security with these methods?

Absolutely! Test these on a personal or lab PC to understand password and UAC mechanics safely, especially for network security enthusiasts in the U.S. or India.

8. Is bypassing UAC on a work PC legal?

Only with IT permission. Unauthorized access violates policies or laws. Use these methods responsibly.

Final Notes

Being locked out of your Windows 11 PC or stuck at UAC prompts is frustrating, but you have options. Use a Password Reset Disk if prepared, Renee PassNow for an easy fix, or Command Prompt for a technical approach. After resetting, UAC prompts can be bypassed with a blank password, and creating a new admin account avoids future hassles. Whether you’re in the managing a personal PC or dealing with a shared device, these solutions get you back in control.
Renee Passnow – Professional Windows Password Remover

Remove Windows Login Password 3 steps for whole password remove process.

Enable/Create Administrator One click for creating new administrator and enable the disabled account.

Widely Use New version supports UEFI boot model, which can be used on more computers, laptops and even surfaces.

Multifuctional Data transfer, data recovery, bootable problem recovery can be run without system.

Highly compatible Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista.

Remove Login Password Support Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista.

Enable/Create Administrator One click for creating new administrator and enable the disabled account.

Easy to use No need of any professional knowledge or password reset disk.

Free TrialFree TrialNow 2000 people have downloaded!

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