2025’s Best Methods to Crack Your Windows 11 Password

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2025’s Best Methods to Crack Your Windows 11 Password

30 July 2025 John Weaver Senior Program Developer

Last update by Emma Johnson at 30 July 2025

Summary
This guide details how to crack Windows 11 password when you’re locked out, offering step-by-step methods for users. Learn safe, legal, and effective ways to regain access to your computer using proven techniques.

Table of contents

What to Know Before You Try to Crack a Windows 11 Password

Method 1: How to Crack Windows 11 Password with the Official Microsoft Reset Page

Method 2: How to Crack Windows 11 Password Using a Recovery Tool (Renee PassNow)

Method 3: A Technical Guide on How to Crack Windows 11 Password with Ophcrack

Final Thoughts

It’s a feeling we all dread. You turn on your computer, ready to get to work or browse the web, but your mind goes blank. You can’t remember your Windows 11 password. We’ve all been there, and it’s incredibly frustrating, especially when you need access to your files right away. This guide is all about how to crack a Windows 11 password, getting you back into your own machine without the headache.

Security is a double-edged sword. While passwords protect our data from others, they can sometimes lock us out, too. If you’ve tried every combination you can think of and are still stuck at the login screen, don’t worry. There are several effective methods to get past this hurdle. Let’s walk through the best ways to solve this problem.

What to Know Before You Try to Crack a Windows 11 Password

First and foremost, you should only be attempting this on a computer that you personally own. Trying to gain access to someone else’s PC or laptop without permission is illegal and a serious invasion of privacy.

Preparation

Before you jump into the methods below, there are a few things you need to have ready. Getting these sorted out first will make the process much smoother.

A Second Computer: You’ll need access to another working computer to download recovery software and create a bootable USB drive.

A Blank USB Drive: A USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space is essential for creating a password reset disk. Make sure there’s nothing important on it, as the process will erase all its data.

Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is needed on the second computer to download the necessary tools.

Crack vs. Reset: Understanding the Difference

When trying to regain access to your Windows 11 PC, you might come across terms like “crack” and “reset” for password recovery. While both aim to help you log back in, they differ in approach, speed, and suitability. Additionally, certain software or files encrypted with your current account password may be affected, especially with older Windows encryption methods. Below, we break down the differences to help you choose the right method.

Aspect	Crack Password	Reset Password
Definition	Recover original password(eg. Ophcrack) [1]	Clear or replace SAM hash (eg. Renee PassNow) [2]
Speed	hours to days	5–10 minutes
Suitable for	When you need the old password; software dependencies	Fast access; Local Accounts; Microsoft Account
Encrypted data	Preserves EFS access	May break EFS access [3]

[1] Uses rainbow tables or brute-force tools like Ophcrack to retrieve the existing password.

[2] Directly edits the Windows SAM file’s password hash (e.g., Renee PassNow).

[3] Files encrypted with older EFS may become inaccessible; BitLocker remains unaffected.

Before choosing a method, consider how it impacts encrypted data, as explained below.

Important Considerations for Encrypted Data

EFS is only available on Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Server editions. It’s not supported on Home editions.

Before you mess with your Windows password—whether by cracking it with Ophcrack or resetting it through Renee PassNow—pause and think about how your files are protected. On older Windows editions (pre–Windows 7), the Encrypting File System (EFS) ties file access directly to your account password. If you reset that password, EFS can’t decrypt your files anymore, leaving them locked away. Cracking the password instead recovers the original credentials so your EFS-encrypted data stays accessible.

Modern disk-encryption solutions like BitLocker operate independently of your login credentials. They rely on separate recovery keys or a TPM module, so they remain intact whether you crack or reset your Windows password. No matter which route you choose, always back up your critical data beforehand. And if you suspect you’ve got EFS-protected files, consider cracking the password first—or consult a data-recovery specialist—to avoid an unexpected data loss.

Method 1: How to Crack Windows 11 Password with the Official Microsoft Reset Page

If you use a Microsoft account to log into your Windows 11 PC, this is by far the easiest and quickest solution. You can usually tell if you’re using a Microsoft account if your email address is displayed on the login screen. This method won’t work for local accounts, but for everyone else, it’s a lifesaver.

set the new password for Microsoft account

Key Features

Completely free and official method.
Very simple and fast.
Guaranteed success if you have access to your recovery email or phone number.
Works for any Windows version linked to a Microsoft account.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get it done

1. On a different computer or phone, open a web browser and navigate to the Microsoft Password Reset page. Enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name associated with your Microsoft account and click Next.

2. Microsoft needs to verify that it’s really you. You’ll be asked to receive a security code on your recovery email or phone number. Choose your preferred method and click Get code.

3. Check your email or phone for the code. Enter it on the verification page and click Next.

4. Once your identity is confirmed, you’ll be taken to the password reset screen. Type in your new password twice, and click Next. That’s it! You can now use this new password to log into your locked Windows 11 computer.

Method 2: How to Crack Windows 11 Password Using a Recovery Tool (Renee PassNow)

Renee PassNow works for Local Account and Microsoft Account.

If you’re using a local account or don’t have access to your Microsoft account’s recovery information, you’ll need a different approach. This is where a dedicated Windows password recovery tool comes in handy. Renee PassNow is widely considered one of the best options available because it’s reliable, fast, and easy to use, even if you’re not a tech expert. It can reset or remove passwords for any user account on your system without losing any data.

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For users locked out of their Windows 11 PC, Renee PassNow offers a straightforward solution to regain access. Whether you’ve forgotten your local account password, need to bypass an administrator account, or even deal with a Microsoft account, this tool simplifies the process. It’s particularly useful for those who didn’t create a password reset disk in advance, a common scenario for many users. Renee PassNow creates a bootable USB or CD/DVD to reset your password, and it even includes features like data transfer to safeguard your files if your system fails to boot. Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, it supports multiple languages and provides additional tools like disk erasure, file extension changes, and secure file transfers.

Note: 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 Microsoft account.

Here’s how to use Renee PassNow to crack your Windows 11 password

Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow

On a second computer that you can access, visit the official Renee PassNow website and download the software. Install it by following the on-screen instructions, selecting the version compatible with your operating system.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or CD/DVD

Launch Renee PassNow on the second computer and insert a blank USB flash drive (at least 8GB) or a CD/DVD. In the software, choose the option to create a bootable media and follow the prompts to prepare the USB or disc. This will erase all data on the USB, so ensure it’s empty.

Create New Windows 11 Password Reset Disk with Renee PassNow

Step 3: Boot the Locked PC from the Bootable Media

Insert the bootable USB or CD/DVD into your locked Windows 11 computer. Restart the PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by by pressing the appropriate key (commonly F2, Delete, or Esc). Set the boot order to prioritize the USB or CD/DVD. Below is a quick reference for common systems:

Boot the target PC with the created password reset USB/CD/DVD.

Common Servers:

Server Type	Enter Boot Menu Method
DELL	Press F12 repeatedly before the Dell logo appears.
HP	Press F9 multiple times when the HP logo is displayed.

Common Computers:

BIOS Name	Enter 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 Password Reset Function

Once the PC boots from the media, Renee PassNow will load its interface. Select the “PassNow!” function to proceed with the password reset process.

click on passnow to reset login password

Step 5: Resetting the Password

In the Renee PassNow interface, select your Windows 11 system from the list, then choose the user account you want to reset. Click the “Clear Password” button to remove or reset the password for the selected account.

Select target Windows system in the list

Step 6: Reboot the PC

After the password is reset, remove the bootable media and restart your computer. You should now be able to log into your Windows 11 account without a password. If it was a Microsoft account, remember to reconnect it to your Microsoft account afterward.

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