You cannot recover a forgotten Windows password, but you can reset it

If you have forgotten your Windows password, Windows itself cannot show it to you — the system stores only an encrypted version, not the original. What you can do is reset the password to something new, either through your Microsoft account if you remember that email and password, or by creating a new local administrator account if you are locked out completely.

The method that works depends on what type of account you have (Microsoft or local), whether you can access another device, and whether you set up a password reset disk before you forgot the password. Most people can reset through their Microsoft account in a few minutes. If that does not work, the process takes longer but is still possible.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft accounts can be reset online from any device by entering your email and answering security questions or using a recovery email.
  • Local accounts without a recovery method require you to create a new administrator account from the Windows login screen, which takes about 20 minutes.
  • A password reset disk, created before you forgot the password, is the fastest way to regain access — it takes under five minutes.
  • If you share a computer with another administrator, that person can reset your password without needing your old one.

Resetting a Microsoft account password online

If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft email address, you can reset the password from any computer or phone. Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Sign in". When you reach the password field, click "Can't access your account" at the bottom.

Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address, then show you a security check — usually a puzzle or a request to confirm the last few characters of a password you have used. After you pass that, you can choose to receive a code by email or text message to a phone number on file. Enter that code, and you will be able to set a new password when ready.

Once you have set the new password, go back to your Windows computer and enter it at the login screen. Your files and settings will be exactly as you left them.

Resetting a local account password from another administrator

If you have a second administrator account on the same computer, that person can reset your password without knowing the old one. The second administrator should log in, then open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. They will see your account listed and can click it, then click "Reset password".

Windows will ask for a new password and a password hint. The administrator enters these, clicks Next, and your account is reset. You can then log in with the new password on your next restart.

This method only works if another administrator account exists on the computer. If you are the only administrator, you will need to use a different approach.

Creating a new administrator account if you are completely locked out

If you have no other administrator account and cannot access your Microsoft account, you can create a new local administrator account from the Windows login screen itself. At the login screen, hold Shift and click the Power button in the bottom right corner, then click "Restart". Windows will boot into a recovery menu.

Select "Troubleshoot", then "Reset this PC". Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Keep my files" — this will reinstall Windows but preserve your documents, photos, and other data. The process takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your hard drive speed.

When Windows finishes, it will ask you to create a new account. Set this as an administrator account. Once you are logged in, you can access your old account's files in the Users folder, though you may need to adjust permissions to open them. Your old account still exists but is no longer accessible until you remember or reset its password through another method.

Using a password reset disk if you created one before

If you created a password reset disk on a USB drive or external drive before you forgot your password, this is the fastest method. Insert the disk into your computer, go to the Windows login screen, and click "Reset password" below the password field.

Windows will launch the Password Reset Wizard and ask you to select the reset disk. Choose the USB drive or external drive where you saved it. The wizard will then let you create a new password without needing the old one. This takes about five minutes total.

If you did not create a reset disk before, you cannot create one now — Windows only allows you to make a reset disk when you are already logged in.

What to do if none of these methods work

If you cannot access a Microsoft account, do not have another administrator, did not create a reset disk, and cannot use the recovery menu, your options narrow significantly. At this point, you would need to reinstall Windows from a bootable USB drive or DVD, which erases everything on the drive and requires you to have Windows installation media.

Before you reach this point, contact Microsoft Support or a local computer repair shop. They may be able to verify your identity and help you regain access through your Microsoft account, or advise you on whether a professional reinstall is necessary. Many repair shops can do this in an hour or two.

How to avoid this in the future

Create a password reset disk now, while you are logged in. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to "Password", and click "Create a password reset disk". Windows will walk you through saving a file to a USB drive. Keep this drive in a safe place — if you ever forget your password, it will get you back in within minutes.

If you use a Microsoft account, make sure the recovery email and phone number in your account are current. You can check these at account.microsoft.com under "Security info". If either is outdated, update it now. This takes two minutes and can save you hours if you forget your password.

Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store your Windows password along with other passwords. These programs encrypt your passwords and let you access them from other devices, so you have a backup if you forget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Windows show me my password if I forgot it?

No. Windows stores passwords in an encrypted form that cannot be reversed or displayed. You can only reset it to a new password, not recover the old one. This is a security feature — it means that even if someone gains access to Windows files, they cannot read your password.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No, unless you choose to reset Windows entirely. If you reset through your Microsoft account, another administrator, or a password reset disk, your files stay exactly where they are. Only the "Reset this PC" method from the recovery menu will delete files, and it asks you to choose whether to keep them first.

What if I do not remember my Microsoft account email or password either?

Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account". Microsoft will ask for your email address and then verify your identity using a phone number or backup email on file. If you do not have either, contact Microsoft Support — they can verify you are the account owner and help you regain access.

Can I reset someone else's password without their permission?

Only if you are an administrator on the same computer. If you are, you can reset any other account's password. On a shared family computer, this is normal — parents often reset children's passwords. On a work computer, only IT administrators should do this, and they should follow your company's policies.

How long does it take to reset a Windows password?

Through a Microsoft account or another administrator: 5 to 10 minutes. Using a password reset disk: 5 minutes. Creating a new administrator account from recovery: 20 to 40 minutes. A full Windows reinstall: 1 to 2 hours, plus time to reinstall programs.