How to Bypass PIN on Windows 11 (Safe Methods)

If you’re locked out of Windows 11 because you forgot your PIN, or you simply want to remove the PIN requirement at sign-in, this guide walks you through the safe, legitimate methods to bypass or reset it. You’ll need access to your Microsoft account password or another admin account, and in some cases a recovery USB drive.

What You’ll Need

Your Microsoft account password (if you use a Microsoft account to sign in)
Another administrator account on the PC (if available)
A Windows 11 installation USB or recovery drive (for the most stubborn cases)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Remove the PIN from Settings (if you know your password)

Sign in to Windows 11 using your password (click “Sign-in options” on the login screen and choose the key icon).
Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
Under “Ways to sign in,” find PIN (Windows Hello) and click it.
Click Remove. Windows will ask you to verify your account password.
Enter your password and confirm. The PIN is now deleted, and you’ll sign in with your password only.

Method 2: Reset the PIN via “I forgot my PIN”

On the sign-in screen, click Sign-in options and select the PIN icon.
Click I forgot my PIN.
If you’re using a Microsoft account, you’ll be asked to verify your identity via email or phone. Follow the prompts to receive a code.
Enter the code and you’ll be taken to a screen to create a new PIN.
Set a new PIN and use it to sign in.

Method 3: Use Another Admin Account

If you have a second account with administrator privileges, sign in with that account.
Open Settings > Accounts > Other users.
Select the locked account and click Change account type – not needed, but you can also reset the password here.
Actually, to remove the PIN, you can’t do it from here directly. Instead, open Command Prompt as administrator.
Type net user <username> <newpassword> to reset the password (if you know the username).
Then sign out and sign in with the new password. After that, remove the PIN using Method 1.

Method 4: Reset via Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

Boot your PC from a Windows 11 installation USB or recovery drive.
Choose your language and click Next.
Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left corner.
Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt, type copy c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\ and press Enter (backup).
Then type copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe and press Enter. This replaces the Ease of Access utility with Command Prompt.
Reboot normally. On the sign-in screen, click the Ease of Access icon (the little person with a circle).
This opens Command Prompt. Type net user <yourusername> <newpassword> and press Enter.
Close the prompt, then sign in with the new password. After that, remove the PIN via Settings.
Finally, restore Utilman.exe: boot back to WinRE, open Command Prompt, and type copy c:\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.

Method 5: Use a Microsoft Account Online

Go to Microsoft’s password reset page from any device.
Follow the steps to reset your Microsoft account password.
After resetting, sign in to Windows with the new password. The PIN will still be there, but you can remove it with Method 1.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting that the PIN is tied to your Microsoft account – if you reset the password online, the PIN may still work, but it’s safer to remove it afterwards.
Not backing up Utilman.exe – if you skip the backup step in Method 4, you could leave your system vulnerable.
Using the wrong username – the net user command requires the exact username. Check with net user alone to list all users.
Assuming “I forgot my PIN” works offline – if you’re not connected to the internet, the verification may fail.

Tips

Always keep a password reset disk (for local accounts) or ensure your Microsoft account recovery info is up to date.
If you’re removing the PIN for convenience, consider using a password manager to keep your password strong.
After removing the PIN, you can still use Windows Hello fingerprint or face if you have them set up – they don’t require a PIN.
If you’re using a local account, you can’t use “I forgot my PIN” – you’ll need to use the password reset disk or another admin account.

Troubleshooting

“I forgot my PIN” doesn’t appear – Make sure you’re connected to the internet. If not, plug in an Ethernet cable or use another device to reset your Microsoft account password.
Method 4 doesn’t work because the sign-in screen doesn’t show Ease of Access – In some Windows 11 builds, the icon is hidden. Try pressing Win + U on the login screen (if you have a keyboard) to trigger it.
“net user” gives “Access denied” – Make sure you’re running Command Prompt as administrator. In WinRE, it should be, but double-check that you’re not in a limited recovery mode.
After resetting the password, the PIN still appears – The PIN is separate. Use Method 1 to remove it once you’re in.
You get a message about “This option is disabled by your administrator” – This happens on work or school devices. Contact your IT admin; do not try to bypass group policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bypass the PIN without a password?

No, every legitimate method requires you to prove you own the account, either with the password, a recovery code, or another admin account. If you have none of these, you’ll need to reset Windows (which erases data) or use a system restore point.

Will removing the PIN affect my Microsoft account?

No, the PIN is only for signing into this device. Your Microsoft account password remains unchanged.

Is it possible to disable the PIN requirement completely?

Yes, you can remove the PIN as described in Method 1. There’s no official setting to “turn off” PIN for all users, but you can also set your account to require no password at all by using netplwiz and unchecking “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.”

What if I have a local account and forgot the password?

Use a password reset disk if you made one, or use another admin account. If you have none, you’ll need to reset Windows using the installation media and choose “Reset this PC” – this will remove the password but also your files.

Does the PIN reset via Microsoft account work if I’m offline?

No, the online verification requires internet. If you’re offline, try connecting to a mobile hotspot or use another method.

Is it safe to use the Command Prompt trick (Method 4)?

It’s safe if you restore Utilman.exe afterwards. Leaving cmd.exe in its place is a security risk because anyone with physical access could reset passwords. Always restore the original file.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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