How to change password with Command Prompt on Windows 11

Here are the easy steps to change your account password with Command Prompt on Windows 11.

Windows 11 change password command
Windows 11 change password command
  • To change password with commands on Windows 11, open Command Prompt (admin), run the “net user USERNAME *” and confirm the new password.

On Windows 11, if you have had the same password for a long time, it’s not a very strong password, or the current password has been compromised, you can change it to something more complex that only you will remember.

If you have a local account that is not connected to a Microsoft account, you have multiple methods to change the password, but the best and quickest way is to use Command Prompt.

This guide will teach you the steps to change your local account password on Windows 11.

Change account password on Windows 11 from Command Prompt

To change your Windows 11 local account password from Command Prompt, use these steps:

  1. Open Start on Windows 11.

  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command to view all the available accounts and press Enter:

    net user
  4. Type the following command to change the Windows 11 account password and press Enter:

    net user USERNAME *

    In the command, make sure to change “USERNAME” with the account name that you want to update.

    Change password command

  5. Type a new password to change it and press Enter.

  6. Type the new password again to confirm and press Enter.

Once you complete the steps, sign out of the account and sign back in to use the new password on Windows 11.

If you have an account linked to your Microsoft account, the steps outlined above won’t apply. You must reset your email password online or through the Windows 11 Lock screen if you have a Microsoft account. Also, even though this guide focuses on Windows 11, these steps should work on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].