How to Reset a Forgotten Windows 11 Password Using Hiren’s Boot CD

Forgetting your Windows 11 password can feel like being locked out of your own home. It’s frustrating, especially when you have important files and work waiting inside. The good news? You don’t need to reinstall Windows or lose your data. With Hiren’s Boot CD and a bootable USB drive, you can regain access to your computer in about 15-20 minutes.

I’ve walked countless friends and clients through this process, and it works reliably when done correctly. Let me show you exactly how to do it.

What You’ll Need

Before we start, gather these items:

• A working computer (to create the bootable USB)
• A USB flash drive (at least 1GB, though 4GB or larger is recommended)
• Hiren’s Boot CD PE ISO file (the latest version)
• About 20 minutes of your time

Important note: This method works for local Windows accounts. If you’re using a Microsoft account, you can reset your password through Microsoft’s official account recovery page online, which is often simpler.

Understanding Hiren’s Boot CD

Hiren’s Boot CD has been a lifesaver for IT professionals and home users for years. It’s a bootable environment packed with diagnostic and recovery tools. The PE (Preinstallation Environment) version is specifically designed for modern Windows systems like Windows 11.

The tool we’ll be using from Hiren’s toolkit is designed to clear or reset Windows passwords by modifying the SAM (Security Account Manager) database where Windows stores password hashes.

Step 1: Download Hiren’s Boot CD PE

First, you need to download the ISO file:

1. Go to the official Hiren’s Boot CD PE website
2. Download the latest version of the ISO file
3. Save it somewhere you can easily find it, like your Downloads folder

The file is typically around 1-2GB, so the download might take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

Step 2: Create Your Bootable USB Drive

Now you need to turn that ISO file into a bootable USB drive. Here’s how:

Using Rufus (Recommended for Windows):

1. Download Rufus from rufus.ie (it’s free and doesn’t require installation)
2. Insert your USB flash drive (remember, everything on it will be erased)
3. Open Rufus
4. Under “Device,” select your USB drive
5. Under “Boot selection,” click “SELECT” and choose the Hiren’s Boot CD ISO file you downloaded
6. Leave the partition scheme as “GPT” and target system as “UEFI”
7. Click “START” and wait for the process to complete (usually 5-10 minutes)

Alternative: Using Ventoy

If you prefer Ventoy, you can install it on your USB drive and simply copy the ISO file directly to the drive without any conversion process.

Step 3: Boot from the USB Drive

This is where things get slightly technical, but don’t worry—I’ll walk you through it:

1. Insert the bootable USB into your locked Windows 11 computer
2. Restart the computer
3. As it starts up, repeatedly press the boot menu key (usually F12, F2, F10, ESC, or DEL—it varies by manufacturer)
4. You’ll see the manufacturer’s logo with a message like “Press F12 for Boot Menu”
5. Select your USB drive from the boot menu
6. Hiren’s Boot CD will load (this takes a minute or two)

Tip: If you can’t access the boot menu, you might need to disable “Fast Startup” in Windows or access the BIOS/UEFI settings to change the boot order.

Step 4: Reset Your Password

Once Hiren’s Boot CD loads, you’ll see a desktop environment. Here’s what to do:

1. Look for the “Passwords” or “Utilities” folder on the desktop
2. Open “Password Reset” or look for a tool called “NT Password Edit” or “Kon-Boot”
3. The most common tool included is a password reset utility that will:
   • Automatically detect your Windows installation
   • Show you a list of user accounts
   • Allow you to select the account you want to reset
4. Select your username from the list
5. Choose either “Clear Password” (removes the password entirely) or “Set New Password”
6. If setting a new password, type it carefully and confirm it
7. Click “Save” or “Apply” to write the changes
8. Close the tool and restart your computer

Step 5: Remove the USB and Log In

After the password reset:

1. Remove the USB drive from your computer
2. Let Windows 11 boot normally
3. When you reach the login screen, either enter your new password or just press Enter if you cleared the password
4. You should now have access to your account

Important: Once you’re back in, immediately set a new password through Windows Settings. Having no password or a temporary one leaves your computer vulnerable.

Setting a New Secure Password

After regaining access, secure your account properly:

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings
2. Go to Accounts, then Sign-in options
3. Click on “Password” and set a strong, memorable password
4. Consider setting up a PIN or Windows Hello for easier future logins
5. Set up password hints or write your password down in a secure location

What If This Doesn’t Work?

Sometimes you might encounter issues:

Problem: USB won’t boot
Solution: Check your BIOS settings. Secure Boot might need to be disabled temporarily, or you may need to enable legacy boot options.

Problem: Can’t find the password reset tool
Solution: Different versions of Hiren’s include different tools. Look for anything related to “Windows Password,” “NT Password,” or “Password Reset.”

Problem: Changes don’t save
Solution: Make sure you’re running the tool as administrator and that your hard drive isn’t encrypted with BitLocker.

If you’re using BitLocker encryption, this method won’t work without your BitLocker recovery key. You’ll need to either have that key or use Microsoft’s account recovery if it’s linked to your Microsoft account.

Is This Method Legal?

Yes, this method is completely legal when used on your own computer. It’s a legitimate system recovery tool. However, using it to access someone else’s computer without permission is illegal and unethical. This guide is intended solely for recovering access to your own device.

Alternative Methods to Consider

If Hiren’s Boot CD seems too technical, here are simpler alternatives:

For Microsoft accounts: Use another device to go to account.live.com/password/reset and follow Microsoft’s password reset process. This is the easiest method if you’re using a Microsoft account.

Built-in Windows recovery: If you set up security questions when creating your account, you can answer them at the login screen to reset your password.

Password reset disk: If you created one before forgetting your password (most people don’t), you can use it to reset your password directly from the login screen.

Preventing Future Lockouts

Learn from this experience and protect yourself:

1. Use a Microsoft account: It’s much easier to recover than a local account
2. Write down your password: Keep it in a secure physical location like a safe
3. Use a password manager: Tools like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass securely store all your passwords
4. Set up Windows Hello: Use facial recognition or fingerprint login as backup
5. Create a password reset disk: Do this now while you still have access

Final Thoughts

Resetting a forgotten Windows 11 password using Hiren’s Boot CD is a powerful solution that gives you back control of your computer. While it requires some technical steps, taking it slowly and following each step carefully makes it manageable even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy.

The key is preparation—having the bootable USB ready and understanding how to access your boot menu. Once you’re back in your system, take the time to set up proper password recovery options so you never face this situation again.

Remember, this tool is for your own computer only. Respect others’ privacy and security, and use these recovery tools responsibly.