If you have problems with your Windows 11 PC or you want to sell it, you may need to reset it to factory settings. Normally, to factory reset your Windows 11 PC, you must log in to an administrator account. But what if you forgot your admin password and can't log in? There is no need to worry. This article will show you how to factory reset Windows 11 PC without admin password.
Tip: If you reset your Windows 11 PC just to get rid of your forgotten admin password, you don't have to. There are some ways to bypass Windows 10 password without losing any data. Click that link to learn how to do it.
If you can log into your Windows 11 as an administrator account, you can simply reset your PC from the Settings menu.
Step 1: Click the Start button on the taskbar, and then select Settings to open the Settings app.
Step 2: In Settings, select System on the left, and then select Recovery on the right.
Step 3: Click Reset PC under the "Recovery options".
Step 4: A "Reset this PC" window opens. Choose "Keep my files" or "Remove everything" according to your own needs.
Step 5: Choose Cloud Download or Local reinstall according to how you would like to reinstall Windows.
Step 6: Confirm your settings, and then click Next to proceed.
Step 7: After getting things ready, click Reset.
Step 8: Your PC is preparing to reset. This will take some time and your PC will automatically restart.
Step 9: After your PC automatically restarts, it starts resetting itself to the factory settings. Just keep your PC plugged in and wait for the reset to complete.
Step 10: At the end of reset, your PC needs to reinstall Windows 11 system files. Keep waiting a few minutes until the installation is complete, and then you will get back into Windows 11.
If you forgot your admin password and can't log into Windows 11, you can reset your PC from the lock screen. Follow these steps.
Step 1: On the Windows 11 login screen, click the Power button. After the Power menu appears, click Restart while holding the Shift key on your keyboard.
Step 2: After your PC restarts to the "Choose an option" screen, choose Troubleshoot.
Step 3: On the Troubleshoot page, click Reset this PC.
Step 4: Choose "Keep my files" or "Remove everything" according to your needs. Since you don't have your admin password, you will need to choose Remove everything. Otherwise, if you choose Keep my files, you still have to enter your Windows 11 admin password at the end of the reset.
Step 5: Choose "Cloud download" or "Local reinstall" according to how you would like to reinstall your Windows.
Step 6: Choose Just remove my files. But if you want to sell or give away your PC, it's better to select Fully clean the drive.
Step 7: Finally, click Reset.
Step 8: Your PC will immediately start resetting itself to factory settings. Just keep your PC on and wait for the reset to complete.
Step 9: Once the reset is complete, you need to follow the on-screen steps to re-set up your PC and get into the Windows 11 desktop.
If you insist on resetting your Windows 11 PC to factory settings, and the methods above do not work for you, it is a good idea to use an installation media or bootable USB drive.
Step 1: Create a Windows 11 bootable USB drive using Microsoft's media creation tool or Windows 11 iSO file on any working computer.
Step 2: Insert the Windows 11 USB drive to your PC you want to factory reset. Start the PC and access its Boot menu or BIOS menu to set the PC to boot from the USB.
Step 3: After the PC boots up and displays the Windows Setup screen, choose your language and keyboard, and then click Next.
Step 4: On the next page, click Install Now.
Step 5: On the Activate Windows page, click I don't have a product key.
Step 6: Choose your Windows 11 edition and click Next.
Step 7: Accept the Microsoft software license, and then click Next.
Step 8: Choose which type of installation want. Choosing the Upgrade option will keep your files including your admin password. Since you don't have your admin password, choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
Step 9: Choose the drive partition where you want to install Windows 11, and then click Next. Windows will wipe your installation drive and install a fresh copy the Windows 11 OS on your computer.
Step 10: Just follow the remaining instructions on the screen, and your Windows 11 PC will restore to a brand-new state, just like when it was factory set.
