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11 October 2023  Ashley S. Miller  Specialist of Customer Service Dept.
 

Summary
Discover a simple and effective method for resetting your Windows 10 PIN with the command prompt, even if you've forgotten your password. Use this quick and easy solution to regain access to your device.



Table of contents

table iconReset Windows 10 PIN using Command Prompt
table iconOption 2: Delete NGC Folder to Reset Windows 10 PIN using Command Prompt
table iconUsing Windows Installation Media and Renee PassNow to Reset Windows 10 PIN
table iconConclusion
In today’s digital age, passwords are a crucial element in securing our personal information and devices. However, with the increasing complexity and frequency of cyber attacks, it is essential to regularly update and reset our passwords to stay one step ahead of potential threats. This is particularly true for our Windows 10 PIN, which provides quick and easy access to our devices. Thankfully, Microsoft has provided a simple and effective solution for resetting your Windows 10 PIN using the command prompt. In this chapter, we will walk you through the process and highlight just how easy and effective it can be if you are still able to log in to your device.

Option 1 : Reset Windows 10 PIN using Command Prompt(If still login)

Resetting your Windows 10 PIN using the command prompt is a simple and effective method that allows you to regain access to your device even if you’ve forgotten your password. This option can come in handy if you still have the ability to log in to your Windows 10 account.
Before we dive into the process, it’s important to note that using the command prompt requires some basic knowledge of command-line operations. However, don’t worry if you’re not familiar with it – we’ll provide step-by-step instructions to make the process as easy as possible.
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt in Safe Mode
If you are unable to log in to your Windows 10 account, you can still access the command prompt by restarting your PC in Safe Mode. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Bring up the Windows 10 login screen by pressing the Power button and selecting the Restart option while holding the Shift key.
  2. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.
  3. Select Startup Settings, then click Restart.
  4. When the system starts up, press either the number 6 or the F6 key to enter Safe Mode.
Step 2: Reset the PIN using the “net user” command
Once you have entered Safe Mode and the Command Prompt appears, you can proceed with resetting your Windows 10 PIN. Type the following command and press Enter:

net user your_username *

Replace your_username with your actual Windows username. This command will prompt you to enter a new password for your account.
Step 3: Enter a new PIN
After resetting your password, you can now set a new PIN for your Windows 10 account. To do this, type the following command and press Enter:

net user your_username new_pin

Replace your_username with your actual Windows username, and new_pin with the new PIN you wish to set. Make sure to create a PIN that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
Step 4: Log in with your new PIN
Once you’ve successfully reset and set your new PIN, you can now log in to your Windows 10 account using the new PIN. Restart your computer and on the login screen, enter your username and the new PIN you’ve just created.
Additional Considerations:
If you don’t have another login with permissions to reset user passwords, you can use the Windows 10 installation media to reset your password. This method requires temporarily altering some system files, but no data will be lost.
It’s important to note that this method works for local accounts and not Microsoft accounts. If you are using a Microsoft account, you may need to follow alternative procedures such as filling out the Microsoft Account Recovery form to reset your password.
Conclusion
Resetting your Windows 10 PIN using the command prompt is a straightforward process that can save you from the hassle of forgetting your password. Whether you can still log in to your account or need to use Safe Mode, following the steps outlined above will allow you to regain access to your device and set a new PIN. Remember to choose a strong and memorable PIN to ensure the security of your Windows 10 account.

Option 2: Delete NGC Folder to Reset Windows 10 PIN using Command Prompt

The NGC folder plays a crucial role in the Windows 10 PIN setup and login process. It contains essential configuration files that determine the functionality and security of your PIN login. However, there may be instances where the NGC folder becomes corrupted or experiences bugs after Windows 10 updates. This can lead to issues such as the PIN not working or being unavailable. In such cases, you can try deleting the NGC folder to resolve the problem and create a new PIN.
If you are unable to log into your Windows 10/11 computer using your PIN or experiencing a PIN not working issue, you can attempt to fix it by deleting the NGC folder and creating a new PIN.
Step 1: Taking Ownership in Properties
To begin the process, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\WINDOWS\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft, where the NGC folder is located. If you encounter any permission issues, you may need to change the folder’s permissions. Right-click on the NGC folder and select Properties. In the properties window, click on the Security tab and choose Advanced. Next, select the Change option in the Owner section. Enter the account name of the administrator user, click Check Names, and then hit OK. Tick the “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” checkbox and click Apply & OK to save the changes.
Step 2: Recreating a New PIN
Once you have gained ownership of the NGC folder, you can proceed to delete its contents. Open the NGC folder and delete all files and folders within it. This will remove any existing PIN configurations on your Windows 10/11 computer.

After deleting the NGC folder, you can recreate a new PIN by following the appropriate steps based on your Windows version:

On Windows 11:
1. Go to Start > Settings > Account.
2. Click PIN (Windows Hello) from the right panel.
3. Click the Set up button.
4. Enter your account password and click OK.
5. Enter your new PIN twice and click OK to save it.

On Windows 10:
1. Go to Start > Settings > Account > Sign-in options.
2. Click the Add button under PIN.
3. Enter the password for your account and click Sign in.
4. Set up a new PIN by entering it twice and clicking OK.

Resetting the Permissions for the NGC Folder
After deleting the NGC folder, it is recommended to reset the permissions for the folder using Command Prompt. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for it in the start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator“. In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command:

icacls C:\WINDOWS\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC /T /Q /C /RESET

This command will reset the permissions for the NGC folder.
Additional Tips for PIN Issues
If deleting the NGC folder and recreating a new PIN does not resolve your issue, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

- Use the “I forgot my PIN” feature to set up a new PIN.
- Switch to a different sign-in method and then switch back to PIN login.
- Go back to a previous build of Windows 10/11.
- Create a new user account and try setting up a PIN on that account.
- Modify Group Policy settings to enable convenience PIN sign-in.
- Set the IPsec Policy Agent to start automatically.
- Restart your computer in the PIN phase to force PIN login.
- Uninstall the latest optional updates that may be causing PIN issues.
- Consider reinstalling Windows 10/11 as a last resort.

Option 3 : If forget PIN, using Windows Installation Media and Renee PassNow to Reset Windows 10 PIN

If you have forgotten your Windows 10 PIN and are unable to access your computer, do not worry. There are various options available to help you reset your PIN and regain access to your Windows system. In this chapter, we will discuss how you can use Windows Installation Media and Renee PassNow to remove the NGC folder and reset your Windows 10 password.

1: Creating Windows Installation Media

Firstly, you will need to create a bootable Windows Installation Media on a USB drive or DVD. To do this, you can follow these steps:
1. Insert a USB drive or DVD into your computer.
2. Download the Media Creation Tool from the Microsoft website.
Windows VersionDownload LinkRequirement
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 8/8.1https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows8Same to above
Windows 10https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10Same to above
Windows 11https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11Same to above

3. Run the tool and select “Create installation media for another PC.“

4. Choose the desired language, edition, and architecture for your Windows 10 installation.
5. Select “USB flash drive” or “ISO file” as the media type, depending on whether you want to create a bootable USB drive or DVD.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

2: Booting from the Windows Installation Media

Once you have created the Windows Installation Media, you will need to boot your computer from it. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Insert the USB drive or DVD into your computer.
2. Restart your computer and enter the boot menu by pressing the designated key (usually F12 or Esc) during the boot process.
3. Select the USB drive or DVD from the boot menu.
4. Allow the computer to boot from the media.

3: Removing the NGC Folder

After booting from the Windows Installation Media, you will need to remove the NGC folder from your computer. This folder contains the encrypted key used for your PIN, so removing it will reset your PIN and allow you to access your computer. To do this, follow these steps:
1. In the Windows Setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt.
2. Type

ren c:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC c:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC.old

and press Enter.
3. Type

exit

to close the Command Prompt.
4. Continue with the Windows 10 installation process.

4: Resetting Windows 10 Password with Renee PassNow

Now that the NGC folder has been removed, you can use Renee PassNow to reset your Windows 10 password and regain access to your computer. To do this, 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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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
reset windows 10 pin command prompt
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.
After following these steps, your Windows 10 password will be reset, and you can log in to your computer. It is recommended to set a new PIN once you have regained access to your computer.
In conclusion, if you have forgotten your Windows 10 PIN, using Windows Installation Media and Renee PassNow is a simple and effective way to remove the NGC folder and reset your password. Make sure to keep your password and PIN in a safe place to avoid this issue in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, resetting your Windows 10 PIN using the command prompt can be a simple and effective solution in regaining access to your device if you have forgotten your password. This method can be easily done by following the steps explained in Option 1. However, if you have a PIN login option and want to remove it, deleting the NGC folder as described in Option 2 can be a viable solution. And in case you forget your PIN and are unable to log in, using Windows Installation Media and Renee PassNow as mentioned in Option 3 can help you reset your Windows 10 password and regain access to your device. Remember to keep your device secure by regularly updating your PIN or password and creating a password reset disk. With these tips, you can confidently reset your Windows 10 PIN using the command prompt and ensure that you always have access to your device.