Microsoft’s new policy locks your user account for 10 minutes when someone attempts to access your account with ten unsuccessful passwords. The Account lockout threshold policy setting determines the number of failed sign-in attempts, and if they find it exceeds the specified threshold, it locks your user account. A locked account cannot be unlocked and used until an administrator manually reset it or the number of minutes set by the Account lockout duration policy setting expires.
In this gearupwindows article, we will guide you on how to unlock a locked-out account in Windows 11.
How to Unlock Locked Out Accounts in Windows 11 through Local Users and Groups?
To unlock a locked-out account in Windows 11 using Local Users and Groups, use these steps:-
Step 1. Open Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc).
Step 2. Then, select the Users folder in the left pane to open it.
Step 3. Right-click on the user account you want to unlock on the middle pane and select Properties in the menu.
Step 4. In the user properties dialog, switch to the General tab.
Step 5. Uncheck the option Account is locked out.
Step 6. Click Apply.
Step 7. Click OK.
Once you complete the above steps, your selected user account will unlock instantly, and you can sign in to your account.
How to Unlock Locked Out Account in Windows 11 using Command Prompt or PowerShell?
To unblock a locked-out user account in Windows 11 through Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell, use these steps:-
Step 1. Open an administrator Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell.
Step 2. Type the following and hit the Enter key on the keyboard:-
net user "<username>" /active:yes
Note: Replace <username> in the above command with the actual user account name, for example, “Test.”
Once you complete the above steps, your selected user account will unlock instantly, and you can sign in to your account.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Windows 11’s new account lockout policy adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to user accounts. However, in case of an accidental lockout, it can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, Windows 11 provides two easy methods to unlock a locked-out user account. By following the steps outlined in this gearupwindows article, users can quickly regain access to their accounts without the need for any advanced technical skills. It is essential to stay vigilant about account security and follow best practices such as creating strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
