Where your admin password is stored and why you might not find it

Your administrator password is not stored anywhere you can read it back. Windows and macOS encrypt passwords the moment you create them, so even the system itself cannot show you what you typed. If you have forgotten it, you cannot retrieve it — you can only reset it to something new.

The path forward depends on what device you own, whether you set up a recovery method when you created the account, and whether you still have access to another administrator account on the same machine. Each situation has a different solution, and some require physical access to the device itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Administrator passwords cannot be recovered because they are encrypted; you can only reset them to a new password.
  • On Windows, you can reset a forgotten admin password using another admin account, a Microsoft account recovery email, or a password reset disk if you created one beforehand.
  • On macOS, you can reset an admin password using Recovery Mode, another admin account, or an Apple ID if it was linked to the account.
  • If you are locked out of all admin accounts with no recovery method in place, you will need to reinstall the operating system, which erases the drive.
  • The fastest solution is usually to use a recovery email or phone number you set up when you created the account.

Resetting an admin password on Windows using another admin account

If you have a second administrator account on the same Windows machine that you can still log into, you can reset the forgotten password from there. Open Settings, go to Accounts, select the account you need to reset, and choose "Reset password." Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a security code sent to the email or phone number on file, then let you create a new password.

This method works only if you remember the password to the other admin account. If both admin accounts are locked, move to the recovery email method instead.

Resetting an admin password on Windows using a Microsoft account

If your Windows admin account is linked to a Microsoft account (your Outlook, Hotmail, or live.com email), you can reset the password online without touching the computer. Go to account.microsoft.com on any device, select "Security" or "Sign in options," and choose "Reset your password." Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email or phone number. After you verify it, you can set a new password, then use that new password to log into Windows.

This method requires that you still have access to the recovery email address or phone number you provided when you set up the Microsoft account. If you no longer have access to either, Microsoft has additional verification steps, but they can take several days.

Resetting an admin password on Windows using a password reset disk

If you created a password reset disk when you first set up Windows, you can use it to reset your password without needing another account or recovery email. Insert the disk, click "Reset password" on the Windows login screen, and follow the wizard. The disk will let you create a new password when ready.

Most people do not create a reset disk, so this option is only available if you planned ahead. If you did not make one and cannot use the methods above, you will need to reinstall Windows, which erases everything on the drive.

Resetting an admin password on macOS using Recovery Mode

On a Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + R until the Apple logo appears. This boots into Recovery Mode. Open the Utilities menu and select "Reset Password." Choose the admin account you need to reset, enter a new password twice, and click "Reset Password." You can then restart normally and log in with the new password.

Recovery Mode works on any Mac as long as you have physical access to it. You do not need another account or a recovery email. This is the fastest method for Mac users who are locked out.

Resetting an admin password on macOS using another admin account

If you have a second administrator account on the Mac that you can log into, open System Settings, go to General, select Users & Groups (or Users & Groups in System Preferences on older macOS versions), click the lock icon to unlock it, select the account you need to reset, and click "Reset Password." Enter the new password and save it.

Like Windows, this method only works if you remember the password to the other admin account. If both are locked, Recovery Mode is your next option.

Resetting an admin password on macOS using an Apple ID

If your Mac admin account is linked to an Apple ID, you can reset the password from the login screen. Click "Reset password" or "Forgot password?" and follow the prompts to verify your identity using your Apple ID. Apple will send a code to a trusted device or recovery email. After you verify it, you can set a new admin password.

This method requires that you still have access to the Apple ID and a way to receive the verification code. If you have lost access to both, you will need to use Recovery Mode instead.

What to do if you are locked out of all admin accounts

If you cannot log into any administrator account and did not set up a recovery method, your only option is to reinstall the operating system. On Windows, you will need a USB drive with Windows installation media and a valid Windows license key. On macOS, restart in Recovery Mode and use Disk Utility to erase the drive, then reinstall macOS. Both processes erase everything on the drive, so this should be a last resort.

Before you reinstall, try the recovery methods above one more time. Many people forget they linked their account to an email address or phone number years ago. If you can find any recovery contact information, you may be able to reset the password without losing your files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my admin password if I write it down somewhere?

No. Passwords are encrypted the moment you create them, so the operating system itself cannot display them back to you. If you wrote it down on paper or in a file, you can read your own note, but the system will never show you what you typed. This is why recovery methods like email and phone number are important — they let you prove you own the account without needing the original password.

What if I remember part of my admin password but not all of it?

Partial passwords do not work. You will need to use one of the reset methods instead. Windows and macOS do not have a "hint" system that lets you guess your way in, and they do not accept close matches. Your only path forward is recovery email, another admin account, or Recovery Mode on Mac.

Can I reset an admin password without physical access to the computer?

Only if your account is linked to a Microsoft account or Apple ID and you still have access to the recovery email or phone number. If you do not have that recovery method in place, you will need physical access to the computer to use Recovery Mode (Mac) or a password reset disk (Windows). Remote reset is not possible without a recovery method.

Will resetting my admin password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password using Recovery Mode, another admin account, or a recovery email keeps all your files intact. Only reinstalling the operating system erases the drive. If you can use any of the recovery methods, your files will be safe.

What should I do to avoid this problem in the future?

Link your admin account to a recovery email address and phone number when you first set up the computer. On Windows, create a password reset disk and store it somewhere safe. On Mac, make sure your Apple ID is linked to the account. These steps take five minutes and save you hours of trouble if you ever forget your password.