I had to reset my laptop for personal reasons. I think my laptop was on windows 10 when I reset it, and I was forced to set security questions so I picked the 3 questions and typed in random answers because I plan to remove/delete them after the setup. However I forgot to do that and updated my laptop to windows 11 home. When I go to settings > accounts > sign-in options > password I dont see the option to remove/delete the security questions. Instead it says "You're all set up" with a "Change" button beside it. I pressed on the change button and after tying my current password I was led to a page that only showed "New password" "Confirm password" and "Password hint". In other words it only lets me change my password and set a hint (take note hint is different from security questions) and I really want to delete/remove them. Do you know why this is happening and what I should do?
Additional info: I'm using a local account after resetting my laptop, and I'm not signed into microsoft
If you've already set them, clear your password (any method appears to work, even offline stuff that directly edits the registry to remove the password), and then set your password again. Note that this may lose you access to any encrypted files on your system.
For a new install, you can install with an empty password (put nothing in the password field when it prompts you), and then set your password after install to avoid having to set them.
Looks like they cannot be removed once set. I may be wrong, but in my experience I haven't found a way to remove them for a local account.
You can change the answers to using numbers instead of letter to make it more difficult ie. E=3 or put an answer that is not related to the question. If the person knows some info about you I agree it can be easy to guess the answers.
I may be wrong, if I am, another expert will chime in :)
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Hi dkgraham,
Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.
Please paraphrase this sentence. Based on the description you posted, you have an issue with Surface Pro7+ wherein you want to change the security question on your account.
To change your security questions on your Surface Pro 7+, you will need to follow these steps:
- Go to the Microsoft account security page by visiting account.microsoft.com/security.
- Sign into your Microsoft account.
- Click on the "Security questions" option.
- You will be prompted to answer your current security question. If you cannot remember it, click on the "I don't remember my answer" option.
- Follow the prompts to verify your identity using other methods such as email or phone number.
- Once you have verified your identity, you can then change your security questions.
Another option is to change the security question.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on Accounts.
- Select Sign-in options.
- Click on Update your security questions under the Password section.
- Answer the security questions that you set up.
- Enter your new password.
I hope this helps resolve your issue. Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Kind regards,
Christopher.
Christopher,
Following your suggestion, it seems this allows for a password reset.
For now, I'll work my brain for the answer to my security question!
Thank You!
I was looking for the same as OP. I found the answer here (and it worked):
https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account/
The relevant info is:
Hold down the Windows key and press R to trigger the Run dialog box. In the Open field, type the following string: ms-cxh://setsqsalocalonly.
Hi @Tariq ELJumaily ,
You can follow along the guide over here: How to Reset Passwords in Windows 11
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If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you!
Best regards,
Leon
If you've already set them, clear your password (any method appears to work, even offline stuff that directly edits the registry to remove the password), and then set your password again. Note that this may lose you access to any encrypted files on your system.
For a new install, you can install with an empty password (put nothing in the password field when it prompts you), and then set your password after install to avoid having to set them.
Looks like they cannot be removed once set. I may be wrong, but in my experience I haven't found a way to remove them for a local account.
You can change the answers to using numbers instead of letter to make it more difficult ie. E=3 or put an answer that is not related to the question. If the person knows some info about you I agree it can be easy to guess the answers.
I may be wrong, if I am, another expert will chime in :)