Fix: Windows 11 Password Automatically Changed Issue

Windows 11 does not independently alter passwords; however, if you find yourself locked out of your account, it may be due to your password expiring.

Besides password expiration, other issues could lead to access denial, such as synchronization problems with your Microsoft account, a malfunctioning keyboard layout, inconsistent Windows updates, or corrupted system files.

There might be occasional glitches that prevent you from signing in. Restarting your computer could resolve the problem. If that doesn’t work, consider the following solutions.

What to Do If Your Windows 11 Password Appears to Change Automatically?

1. Utilize the On-Screen Keyboard

1. On the login screen, click the Ease of Access icon.
2. Select the On-Screen Keyboard.
   

   

3. Input your password using the on-screen keyboard to log in.
4. If successful, consider uninstalling the keyboard driver as outlined below to see if it resolves the issue.
5. On the on-screen keyboard, press the Windows + X keys simultaneously.
6. Choose Device Manager.
   

   

7. Within Device Manager, expand the Keyboard section and uninstall the driver.
   

   

8. Finally, restart your computer to check if you can access your account.

2. Utilize the ‘I Forgot My PIN’ Feature

1. On the login page, click on Forgot my password/PIN and follow the instructions to reset your password.
2. If this option is not available, use a different device or account to navigate to the Microsoft Security page in your web browser.
3. Select Password Security and enter your existing login details.
   

   

4. Input your new password and confirm it by re-entering.
5. Next, uncheck the option for requiring a password change every 72 days, then click Save.
   

   

Microsoft advises that you change your password and username frequently to prevent unauthorized access. Consequently, password expiration may be set for added security. The standard expiration for local accounts is 42 days, while for Microsoft accounts, it is 72 days.

You can either disable the password expiration feature or extend the expiration timeframe per your preferences.

3. Reset Your Password

3.1 From Another Admin Account

1. Open the Windows Settings by pressing Win + I simultaneously, then select Accounts on the left, followed by Sign-in Options on the right.
   

   

2. Under Additional settings, turn off the option For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in screen for Microsoft accounts on this device.
   

   

3. A pop-up will appear; enter the password for the user account and click Yes.
4. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type netplwiz, and hit Enter .
   

   

5. In the User Accounts window, uncheck the box labeled User must enter a username and password to use this computer, then click OK. This will enable automatic login for Windows 11.
   

   

6. In the Automatically sign-in window, input your username and password, then click OK and Apply.

1. If you have access to another Windows 11 account with admin privileges, log in to that account.
2. Press Win + R to bring up the Run dialog, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the elevated Command Prompt.
   

   

3. Execute the following command within the Command Prompt (Admin) terminal and press Enter : net user accountname newpassword
   

   

4. Make sure to replace accountname and newpassword with the specific new details.

Note: Microsoft’s password reset method may not always work, hence it is advisable to utilize a password reset disk if necessary.

3.2 Resetting the Password Using a Password Reset Disk

1. Insert the previously created password reset disk or USB drive.
2. Once on the login screen, enter an incorrect password and press Enter. An error message will pop up; click OK to view an extra sign-in option.
3. Click on Reset Password.
4. Click on Next.
   

   

5. Select the appropriate password reset disk from the dropdown menu and click Next.
   

   

6. Input your new password and password hint, then click Next.
   

   

7. Finally, click Finish to complete the password reset.
   

   

8. Afterward, use the newly created password to access your computer.

4. Perform a System Restore in Safe Mode

1. Press and hold the Power button, while holding the Shift key, select Restart.
2. When Windows starts in the Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot.
   

   

3. Click on Advanced Options.
   

   

4. Then select Startup Settings from the Advanced options screen.
   

   

5. Click Restart at the bottom of the screen.
   

   

6. Press 6 or F6 to start Windows in Safe Mode.
   

   

5. Reset Your PC

1. Enter Safe Mode for your PC, navigate to the Advanced options from the blue screen and hit Enter.
2. Go to the Settings menu by pressing the Windows key.
   

   

3. In the left pane, select System, then click Recovery on the right.
   

   

4. Select Reset PC on the right side.
   

   

5. Choose the type of reset you prefer: whether to keep your files or to erase everything including files, apps, and settings.
   

   

6. Select whether to reinstall Windows via Cloud Download or Local Reinstall.
   

   

7. Click on Next.
   

   

8. Finally, click the Reset button.
   

   

Unfortunately, Windows 11 lacks a default password for access in case you are locked out. Your options are to reset the password or revert to previous settings.

Author: Egor Kostenko

My goal is to make complex technical topics simple and accessible. On this site, I gather unique and useful content that not only solves users’ problems but also helps them better understand the capabilities of Windows.