Auto-expiration of passwords is one of the security features baked into your Windows 10/11 PC. This feature forces you to change your password every 72 days. As vital as this process is, it is also a bit redundant if no one else has physical access to your PC. Encountering the password expiry screen every couple of months can get annoying. But here’s the real kicker – you may see this screen even when you haven’t set up a password for your PC. Today, we show you how to reset your expired password and disable the password expiry feature on your Windows 10/11 PC.
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In This Article
Before you begin
The password expiry problem is more prevalent on Windows PCs with local accounts. A ‘local account’ is exclusive to your PC and is not linked to your Microsoft Account whatsoever. This means that any data or login info on your PC cannot be accessed by your Microsoft Account. If you log into your Microsoft Account on another device, you will need to log into your preferred services again.
Your Microsoft Account also offers the option to prompt you to change your password every 72 days. If you turn on this option at the time of setting up your password, you will encounter the ‘password expiry’ screen on your PC as well. Luckily, there is an option to remove this feature for local accounts as well as Microsoft Accounts.
Reset your expired password on Windows 10/11
Step 1: Click OK on the ‘Your password has expired and must be changed’ screen.
Step 2: Enter your current password in the topmost field. If you don’t have a password, leave this field empty.
Step 3: Type in the new password in the following field and re-enter it in the next field.
Step 4: Hit Next.
Disable password expiry for local accounts on Windows 10/11
Step 1: Right-click the Windows/This PC icon and select Computer Management.
Step 2: Click on the downward arrow next to the Local Users and Groups category in the sidebar.
Step 3: Double-click Users.
Step 4: Right-click your username and select Properties.
Step 5: Select the checkbox for Password never expires.
Step 6: Select Apply then hit OK.
Disable password expiry for your Microsoft Account
Step 1: Go to account.microsoft.com. Log in using your Microsoft Account.
Step 2: Click on Change password at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Type your current password in the first field. Enter your new password and confirm it in the following fields.
Step 4: Uncheck the box for Make me change my password every 72 days. Hit Save.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I sign into my Windows PC using my expired password?
While it is not possible to sign into your Windows PC using an expired password, you can use it to set up a new password. Hit ‘OK’ in the expired password screen, then enter your current password followed by the new password.
How do I disable password expiry on my Windows 10/11 PC?
Right-click the Windows/This PC icon and select Computer Management. Expand the menu for ‘Local Users and Groups’ and select Users. Right-click your username and select Properties. Select the checkbox for ‘Password never expires’ and save your settings.
How frequently does the password for my local account expire on my Windows PC?
Unless the setting is disabled, the local password to your Windows PC expires every 72 days.
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Conclusion
This is how you can reset your expired password and disable password expiry on a Windows 10/11 PC. Check out this article to learn how to disable BitLocker on your Windows computer. If you have any other questions, feel free to let us know in the comments!
