How to Find Your Administrator Password on Windows and Mac

Where to look first: the most common places people store passwords

Your administrator password is usually the same one you use to log into your computer itself. If you remember the password you typed when you first set up your machine, that is almost certainly your administrator password. Before you search anywhere else, try that one.

If you have written it down, check the places where you typically keep important passwords: a notebook near your desk, a password manager like LastPass or 1Password, or an email you sent yourself. Many people also store it in their browser's password manager — if you have logged into your computer before, your browser may remember the password and can show it to you.

If none of these work, the next step depends on whether you use Windows or Mac, because the recovery process is different for each.

Key Takeaways

• Your administrator password is usually the same password you use to log into your computer, so try that first before attempting recovery.
• On Windows, you can reset a forgotten administrator password using another administrator account, a Microsoft account recovery email, or a password reset disk if you created one beforehand.
• On Mac, you can reset an administrator password using your Apple ID, another administrator account, or Recovery Mode if you have physical access to the machine.
• If you are locked out and have no recovery options, you will need to contact the person who set up the computer or, for work machines, your IT department.
• Creating a password reset disk or backup recovery method now prevents this problem in the future.

Resetting an administrator password on Windows

If you have another administrator account on the same computer, log into that account and you can reset the forgotten password from there. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select the account you need to reset. Choose "Password" and follow the prompts to create a new one. This is the fastest method if you have access to a second admin account.

If you do not have another administrator account, you can use your Microsoft account to reset the password. On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Microsoft will send a reset link to the email address associated with your Microsoft account. Follow the link and create a new password. You will need access to that email account to complete this step.

If you set up a password reset disk when you first installed Windows, you can use it now. Insert the disk, click "Reset password" on the login screen, and follow the wizard to create a new administrator password. If you never created a reset disk, this option is not available to you.

If none of these methods work — you have no second admin account, you cannot access your Microsoft email, and you have no reset disk — you will need to contact Microsoft support or the person who originally set up the computer. They may be able to verify your identity and help you regain access.

Resetting an administrator password on Mac

If you have another administrator account on the Mac, log into that account and reset the forgotten password through System Preferences. Click the Apple menu, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), then select Users & Groups. Click the lock icon to unlock the panel, select the account you need to reset, and choose "Reset Password." Enter a new password and you are done.

If you do not have another administrator account, you can use your Apple ID to reset the password. On the login screen, enter your username and leave the password field blank, then press Enter. A dialog will appear asking if you want to reset your password using your Apple ID. Click "Reset using Apple ID" and follow the prompts. You will need access to the email or phone number associated with your Apple ID.

If you have access to Recovery Mode, you can reset the password from there. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R while it boots to enter Recovery Mode. Open Utilities from the menu bar, select Terminal, and type resetpassword to launch the password reset tool. This method works even if you have no other administrator accounts and no Apple ID access, but it requires you to be physically at the computer.

What to do if you cannot remember your Apple ID or Microsoft account password

If you are trying to reset your computer password but cannot access the email or phone number tied to your Apple ID or Microsoft account, you will need to recover that account first. Both Apple and Microsoft have account recovery pages on their websites where you can verify your identity and regain access. This usually takes a few hours to a few days.

For Microsoft, go to the account recovery page and enter your email address. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a backup email, a phone number, or security questions you set up when you created the account. Once you regain access to your Microsoft account, you can reset your computer password.

For Apple, visit the Apple ID account recovery page and follow the same process. You may be asked to verify your identity using a trusted device, a recovery key, or security questions. After you regain access to your Apple ID, you can reset your Mac password.

Creating a password reset disk or recovery method now

The easiest way to avoid being locked out in the future is to set up a recovery method before you forget your password. On Windows, create a password reset disk by opening Control Panel, searching for "password reset disk," and following the wizard. Save the disk somewhere safe — a drawer, a safe, or with a trusted family member.

On Mac, make sure you have set up two-factor authentication on your Apple ID and that you have access to a trusted device. This way, if you forget your password, you can use that device to reset it. You can also create a recovery key in your Apple ID settings and store it somewhere find.

Both of these steps take only a few minutes and can save you hours of frustration later. If you share a computer with family members, consider setting up a second administrator account for someone you trust, so you have a backup way to regain access if needed.

When you need to contact IT or the computer's original owner

If you have exhausted all the recovery options above and still cannot reset your password, the computer may have been set up with restrictions that prevent self-service password resets. This is common on work computers, school computers, or machines managed by a parent or guardian.

For a work or school computer, contact your IT department or help desk. They can verify your identity and reset your password for you. For a personal computer that someone else set up, reach out to that person and ask them to help you regain access. They may have backup recovery information or be able to reset the password from their own account.

If the computer is very old and you have no way to contact the original owner, you may need to reinstall the operating system. This will erase all data on the computer, so it should be a last resort. Microsoft and Apple both provide instructions for reinstalling Windows or macOS if you need to go this route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my administrator password if it is saved in my browser?

Yes. In most browsers, you can view saved passwords by going to Settings, then Passwords or Autofill. Look for the password field, click the eye icon next to it, and the browser will show the password in plain text. You may need to enter your computer password to do this.

What is the difference between my user password and my administrator password?

On most personal computers, they are the same thing. Your administrator password is the password you use to log in. On work or school computers, they may be different — your user password logs you in, but your administrator password is needed to install software or change system settings. If you are unsure, ask your IT department.

If I reset my administrator password, will I lose my files?

No. Resetting your password does not affect your files, photos, documents, or any other data on the computer. It only changes the password you use to log in. All your files will still be there after you reset it.

Can I reset my password without knowing my email address or phone number?

Not through the standard recovery methods. If you cannot access the email or phone tied to your account, you will need to contact Microsoft support (for Windows) or Apple support (for Mac) and verify your identity in other ways. Have your computer's serial number and proof of purchase ready if you contact them.

Is there a master password that works on all computers?

No. Each computer has its own administrator password. There is no universal password that unlocks any machine. If you are locked out, you must use the recovery methods specific to your operating system and account.