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8 October 2023  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
 

Summary
Learn how to easily reset your PIN from command prompt in two different scenarios - when you can still use it for login and when you have forgotten it. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the necessary commands and instructions to regain access to your Windows account in no time.



Table of contents

table iconSituation 1: Resetting the Windows 10/11 PIN when Users can still login with PIN
table iconSituation 2: Resetting the Windows 10/11 PIN when it is forgotten
table iconConclusion
Technology has become an integral part of our lives, and with it comes the need for security measures to protect our sensitive information. One common method of protecting our devices is by using a PIN, which acts as a barrier between unauthorized access and our data. However, there may be times when we need to reset our PIN due to forgotten passwords or other security reasons. In this article, we will discuss how to reset a PIN from the command prompt in various situations. In this first scenario, we will explore how to reset a PIN when it can still be used for login by deleting the NGC folder and requiring administrator permission.

Situation 1: Resetting the Windows 10/11 PIN when Users can still login with PIN

reset pin from command prompt
In this chapter, we will discuss how to reset your PIN by deleting files in the NGC folder. This method requires administrator permissions to access the Windows NGC folder. We will provide a step-by-step guide on how to perform this task.
NGC folder in Windows
Step 1: Accessing the NGC Folder: To begin, you need to locate and access the NGC folder on your Windows computer. On Windows 10, it is usually located at the following path:

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC

. However, in some cases, the NGC folder may be hidden. To view hidden folders, open File Explorer, click on the “View” tab in the menu bar, and select “Hidden items“. This will reveal the hidden NGC folder.
Windows select show hidden items
Step 2: Acquiring Administrator Permissions: Before you can delete any files within the NGC folder, you need to have administrator permissions. Here’s how you can acquire these permissions:
  1. Right-click on the NGC folder and select “Properties“.
  2. In the Properties window, go to the “Security” tab and click on “Advanced“.
  3. Click on the “Change” link next to the Owner section.
  4. Enter your user name (e.g., Administrator) in the dialog box and click “Check Names“.
  5. Once the account name is verified, click “OK“.
  6. Tick the checkbox that says “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects“.
  7. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Step 3: Deleting Files in the NGC Folder: After acquiring the necessary administrator permissions, you can proceed to delete the files within the NGC folder. Here’s how you can do it:
  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)“.
  2. Type the following command in the Command Prompt window to navigate to the NGC folder:

cd C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC

  • Press Enter to execute the command.
  • Once you are in the NGC folder, use the command

    • del /F /Q *

    to delete all the files and folders within the NGC folder.
    Step 4: Setting Up a New PIN: After deleting the files in the NGC folder, you can now set up a new PIN for your Windows computer. Follow these steps:
    1. Open the Start menu and click on the “Settings” (gear) icon.
    2. In the Settings window, click on the “Accounts” option.
    3. On the left menu, choose “Sign-in options“.
    4. Under the PIN section, click on the “Add” button.
    5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create and confirm your new PIN.
    6. Once the new PIN is set up, you can use it to log in to your Windows computer.
    Disclaimer: Deleting files in system folders can have unintended consequences and may cause system instability. Proceed with caution and ensure that you have a backup of important files before making any changes.
    Finally, restart your computer and login to your account. You can login with other login options and Reset PIN again.
    Tips:Make sure to back up important files before deleting anything in the NGC folder.

    Situation 2: Resetting the Windows 10/11 PIN when it is forgotten

    If you’ve forgotten your PIN and your Windows login options are limited to PIN(“I forgot my PIN” is not working also), follow these instructions to resolve the issue.
    I Forgot My PIN Option in Login screen
    First, reset the Administrator account password to obtain the necessary permissions for deleting the NGC folder and enabling multiple login options.

    Step 1: Reset Windows password with Renee PassNow

    If you have forgotten your PIN and cannot log in to your Windows 10 or 11 account, you can use Renee PassNow to reset your password and regain access. Follow these steps:
    Tips:If your account is Microsoft Account, Renee PassNow will convert this account to Local account. After resetting login password, you need to connect your account to your Microsoft Account again.
    To reset your Windows password using Renee PassNow, follow these steps:
    Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow
    Start by downloading Renee PassNow from the official website and install it on a different computer that you can access. You can choose the appropriate version based on your computer’s operating system.
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    Erase disk Completely erase disk files which will not be restored.

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

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    Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or CD/DVD
    Launch Renee PassNow and insert a USB flash drive or blank CD/DVD into the computer. Select the option to create a bootable media. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
    Create New Windows 10 Password Reset Disk with Renee PassNow
    Step 3: Boot the Locked Server from the Bootable Media
    Insert the bootable USB or CD/DVD into the locked Windows computer. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Delete). Configure the boot order to prioritize the bootable media.
    Common Server:
    Server TypeEnter boot menu method
    DELLPress the F12 key repeatedly before the Dell logo appears on the screen.
    HPPress the F9 key multiple times when the HP logo is displayed.
    Common Computers:
    BIOS NameEnter boot menu method
    ASRockDEL or F2
    ASUSDEL or F2 for PCs/ DEL or F2 for Motherboards
    AcerDEL or F2
    DellF12 or F2
    ECSDEL
    Gigabyte / AorusDEL or F2
    Lenovo (Consumer Laptops)F2 or Fn + F2
    Lenovo (Desktops)F1
    Lenovo (ThinkPads)Enter then F1
    MSIDEL
    Microsoft Surface TabletsPress and hold Power and Volume Up buttons
    Origin PCF2
    SamsungF2
    ToshibaF2
    ZotacDEL
    HPEsc/ F9 for `Boot Menu`/ Esc/ F10/ Storage tab/ Boot Order/ Legacy Boot Sources
    INTELF10
    Boot the target PC with the created password reset USB/CD/DVD.
    Step 4: Select password reset function
    After successfully booting from the bootable media, Renee PassNow will load. Select “PassNow!” function after booting from the new created Windows password reset disk.
    After loading into main interface, please select the “PassNow!” function.
    Step 5: Resetting the Password
    Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password. Then, click on the “Clear Password” button. Renee PassNow will remove or reset the password for the selected user account.
    Select target Windows system in the list
    Select target user account in the list
    Step 6: Reboot the PC
    Once the password is reset, remove the bootable media from the PC and restart the computer. You will now be able to log in to Windows Account without a password.

    Step 2: Delete NGC folder using Windows installation disk

    After resetting the Windows password, you need to delete the NGC folder to reset the PIN. Here’s how:
    1. Insert the Windows installation disk into your computer and restart it.
    2. Access the boot menu by pressing the designated key (e.g., DEL or F2) during startup.
    3. Select the Windows installation disk as the bootable device.
    4. Choose the language preferences and click on “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Command Prompt“.
    5. In the Command Prompt window, execute the following command:

    icacls C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc /T /Q /C /RESET

    Wait for the command to finish executing and then close the Command Prompt.

    Step 3: Login with password instead of PIN

    Now that you have reset your Windows password and deleted the NGC folder, you can log in to your account using your password instead of the PIN. Restart your computer and enter your user account password when prompted to access your account. Then, you can reset you PIN easily.
    Also, keep in mind that Renee PassNow may require a license for full functionality. Ensure you have a valid license to use all the features of the software.
    Lastly, when creating a new password, it is recommended to use a combination of numbers, letters (both uppercase and lowercase), and symbols for added security. Avoid using personal information that can be easily guessed or obtained.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, resetting your PIN using the command prompt can be a useful tool in two different situations. If your PIN can still be used for login, you can reset it by deleting the NGC folder and requiring administrator permissions. However, if your PIN has been forgotten and you are unable to log in, you can reset your Windows password using Renee PassNow and then delete the NGC folder using a Windows installation disk. This will allow you to log in using your password instead of your PIN. By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily reset your PIN using the command prompt without the need for complicated software or tools. Remember to always keep your login information secure and in a safe place to avoid any inconvenience in the future. Thank you for reading and we hope this guide has been helpful for you.