Forgot Password for my Local Account

win11freak · 2026-09-09T00:38:40-0400

I am running Windows 11 with a Local Admin Account currently just using my Windows Hello PIN to sign in to Windows.
I do not know it because I forgot my Password.

One crucial question.

In case I need to go into Safe Mode with a Local Admin Account, will it still ask for the PIN or will it revert back asking for a Password?

But hopefully that I do not have to go into Safe Mode.

Can someone please test this if anyone has a LOCAL account currently using a PIN?
Just need to see or check if it really reverts back to just a Password when in Safe Mode.
I would appreciate this.

Again, PIN is no issue. That is fine by me.

XxXxX · 2026-09-09T01:10:08-0400

post removed by me because it was the wrong answer to the question.

edit
i have my password and PIN the same
that way i only have to remember one PIN/password
best of luck Steve ..

hsehestedt · 2026-09-09T02:20:43-0400

XxXxX said:
NOTE
if you have Bitlocker or drive encryption enabled please either disable it or make a note of your encryption key

if you disable TPM within your BIOS it will delete the PIN
as that is where the PIN is stored

restart then use your password to logon

then go to
settings > accounts > sign in options
open the PIN entry and delete your PIN

#####
restart back into the BIOS and enable TPM
restart back into the system then you set your PIN up again.

best of luck Steve ..

Question: How will they use the password to sign-in if they cannot remember the password?

But while we are on the topic of BitLocker: If you do NOT use BitLocker, you can connect that drive to another system, take ownership of any files that you need to rescue. Save that to somewhere like an external drive. Reinstall Windows. Restore any files you rescued.

XxXxX · 2026-09-09T02:37:31-0400

hsehestedt said:
Question: How will they use the password to sign-in if they cannot remember the password?

But while we are on the topic of BitLocker: If you do NOT use BitLocker, you can connect that drive to another system, take ownership of any files that you need to rescue. Save that to somewhere like an external drive. Reinstall Windows. Restore any files you rescued.

my bad misread the post
i read it as forgot PIN but remember password

many thanks for pointing it out
best of luck Steve ..

Secret Squirrel · 2026-09-09T02:40:45-0400

win11freak said:
In case I need to go into Safe Mode with a Local Admin Account, will it still ask for the PIN or will it revert back asking for a Password?

All Windows Hello options (face, PIN, and fingerprint) are not enabled in Safe Mode so it will ask for the password.

If you ever need to get into Safe Mode, then in normal mode, reset your Local Account password first. Simply type netplwiz into the Windows Run box, choose your account, then click on "Reset Password".

Fabler2 · 2026-09-09T03:48:15-0400

Secret Squirrel said:
All Windows Hello options (face, PIN, and fingerprint) are not enabled in Safe Mode so it will ask for the password.

If you ever need to get into Safe Mode, then in normal mode, reset your Local Account password first. Simply type netplwiz into the Windows Run box, choose your account, then click on "Reset Password".

I just checked. I use a fingerprint reader to log in so went to safe mode, via SHIFT and restart and it asked for my PIN.

Sorry for poor images,

Secret Squirrel · 2026-09-09T04:31:40-0400

Fabler2 said:
I just checked....................and it asked for my PIN.

The Windows Hello service shouldn't be running in Safe Mode. Thanks for checking though.

Secret Squirrel · 2026-09-09T05:40:33-0400

Fabler, did you login with a Microsoft or a Local account, and did you choose "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Networking".

I noticed that your first screenshot doesn't show "Safe Mode" in all four corners. I think it should.

Fabler2 · 2026-09-09T05:58:58-0400

Secret Squirrel said:
Fabler, did you login with a Microsoft or a Local account, and did you choose "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Networking".

I noticed that your first screenshot doesn't show "Safe Mode" in all four corners. I think it should.

I user number 4 (no networking) and safe mode on four corners only when logged in to safe mode with a MS account.

FreeBooter · 2026-09-09T06:02:26-0400

If your PIN settings are glitched or unavailable:

- Boot your PC into Safe Mode or WinRE.
- Navigate to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC.
- Delete all the contents inside the NGC folder (you may need to grant administrator permissions via folder security properties first).
- Restart your computer normally and set up a brand-new PIN through Settings.
Execute the following command from Command Prompt at Recovery Environment to delete NGC folder.

Code:

cd /d "d:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalServices\AppData\Local\Microsoft"

rd /s /q NGC

Fabler2 · 2026-09-09T06:04:27-0400

FreeBooter said:
If your PIN settings are glitched or unavailable:

Boot your PC into Safe Mode or WinRE.

Navigate to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC.

Delete all the contents inside the NGC folder (you may need to grant administrator permissions via folder security properties first).

Restart your computer normally and set up a brand-new PIN through Settings.

Execute the following command from Command Prompt at Recovery Environment to delete NGC folder.

Code:

cd /d "d:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalServices\AppData\Local\Microsoft" rd /s /q NGC

Not glitched as sometimes PIN can be available to log in to safe mode. The other Hello settings are never available though.

suatcini54 · 2026-09-09T06:37:13-0400

I use MS account to sign in to Windows. I can enter Safe Mode using a PIN. Windows 11 Pro 25H2.

Forgot Password for my Local Account

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