Accounts Update Security Questions for Local Account in Windows 11

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brink
  • Start date Published: Start date Updated Updated:

Security_Questions_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to update your security questions for your local account in Windows 11.

When you set up a local account with a password via Settings, you are required by default to select and answer security questions.

Security questions provide an extra layer of protection for your local account in case you forget your password. These security questions are used to verify who you are so you can reset the password of your local account on the sign-in screen if needed.

Available security questions for a local account:
  • What was your first pet's name?
  • What's the name of the city where you were born?
  • What was your childhood nickname?
  • What's the name of the city where your parents met?
  • What's the first name of your oldest cousin?
  • What's the name of the first school you attended?
You can change or update the security questions for your local account at anytime if wanted.


Here's How:

1 While signed in to your local account, open Run (Win+R).

2 Copy and paste the command below into Run, and either click/tap on OK or press Enter. (see screenshot below)

ms-cxh://setsqsalocalonly​

Change_security_questions_for_local_account-1.png

3 Enter the password (not PIN) for your local account to verify, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Change_security_questions_for_local_account-2.png

4 Select the three security questions you want to use in the drop menus, and enter your answer for each one. (see screenshot below step 5)

5 When done updating and/or changing your security questions, click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

Change_security_questions_for_local_account-3.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink


 
Last edited:
Hi,
Pretty bad when an os turns into a freaking bank :boom:
 

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HI just found this and it is already really helpful! Is there a way to change the questions- like from "What is your first pets name" to "Why is MS not letting me set my own questions"
 

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HI just found this and it is already really helpful! Is there a way to change the questions- like from "What is your first pets name" to "Why is MS not letting me set my own questions"
this is on a local account.
 

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HI just found this and it is already really helpful! Is there a way to change the questions- like from "What is your first pets name" to "Why is MS not letting me set my own questions"
Hello Sandy, and welcome. :alien:

I'm afraid there's no way to change the questions. Only to select from one of them.
 

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One criticism of these questions is somebody could know the answers.

I just do a simple trick (this is an example not actual trick I use).

You could simply prefix answer with your initials e.g.if answer is London, answer CHLondon.

Another solution could be to answer in reverse e.g. Nodnol.

With a simple trick, even if person knows you, it would be almost impossible to guess answer.
 

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Last edited:

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:shawn:

 

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Password recovery disk option is gone? Can't I switch to that other solution after I already set the SQ?
 

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Password recovery disk option is gone? Can't I switch to that other solution after I already set the SQ?

You should be able to use the command under step 4 below to open the "Forgotten Password Wizard" for a local account when you have a USB connected.

rundll32.exe keymgr.dll,PRShowSaveWizardExW

 

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Thank you.
 

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    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
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    Logitech MX Master 4
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    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
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    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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    Laptop
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    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
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    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
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    Microsoft Defender
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