You cannot retrieve a forgotten administrator password, but you can reset it
Windows 10 does not store your administrator password anywhere you can look it up. If you have forgotten it, the only working path is to reset it — which means creating a new one. The method depends on whether you remember your Microsoft account password (the email and password you use to sign into Windows), whether you set up a password hint, or whether you have another administrator account on the same computer.
If you are locked out and cannot sign in at all, you have three realistic options: reset using your Microsoft account, use a password reset disk if you created one before, or create a new local administrator account from the Windows login screen. Each one works in a different situation, and the fastest path depends on what you set up before you got locked out.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot find or recover a forgotten administrator password — you must reset it by creating a new one.
- If you remember your Microsoft account email and password, you can reset your Windows password from the login screen without any tools.
- A password reset disk, created before you forgot the password, lets you reset it from the login screen in under a minute.
- If you have another administrator account on the same computer, you can reset the forgotten password through Settings without leaving Windows.
- If none of these explore, you will need to reinstall Windows or contact Microsoft support for your specific situation.
Reset your password using your Microsoft account
This is the fastest method if you remember the email address and password for the Microsoft account linked to your Windows login. At the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to enter your email address and then walk you through a verification step — usually a code sent to your recovery email or phone number.
After you verify your identity, Windows lets you create a new password right there on the login screen. You do not need to be signed in to do this. Once you set the new password, sign in with it when ready and make sure it works before you close the login screen. This method works whether you are using a Microsoft account or a local account, as long as you linked a Microsoft account to your Windows installation.
If you do not remember your Microsoft account password either, go to account.microsoft.com from another device and use the "Can't access your account" link to reset that password first. Then return to your Windows login screen and use the method above.
Use a password reset disk if you created one
A password reset disk is a USB drive you create in advance, before you forget your password. If you made one, it is the fastest way to reset — it takes about one minute. Insert the USB drive into your locked computer, then click "Reset password" on the Windows login screen. Windows will launch the Password Reset Wizard and ask you to select the USB drive.
The wizard will prompt you to create a new password. Type it in, confirm it, and click Next. Windows resets your password when ready, and you can sign in with the new one. The USB drive itself is not consumed — you can use it again if you forget the new password.
If you did not create a password reset disk before you got locked out, this option is not available to you. You cannot create one from the login screen.
Reset the password from another administrator account
If someone else set up an administrator account on your computer, or if you created a second administrator account and remember its password, you can use it to reset the forgotten password. Sign in with the account you remember, then open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. Find the account with the forgotten password and click it.
Click "Reset password". Windows will ask you to create a new password for that account. You do not need to know the old password. Type the new password, confirm it, and click Next. The reset takes effect when ready. Sign out and sign back in with the account that was locked, using the new password you just created.
This method only works if you are already signed in to a different administrator account. If every administrator account is locked, you cannot use this path.
Create a new local administrator account from the login screen
If you have no other administrator account and no password reset disk, you can create a brand-new local administrator account directly from the Windows login screen. This account will have full permissions and no password initially. Click "Sign in with a local account instead" at the bottom of the login screen, then click "Create one".
Windows will ask you for a username and password for the new account. Fill these in — this becomes your new administrator account. After you sign in, you can delete or disable the old account through Settings > Accounts > Other people if you want to clean up. The new account has full administrator rights and works exactly like any other Windows administrator account.
This method creates a completely separate account, not a reset of the old one. Any files in the old account's user folder remain there, but you will need to copy them to the new account manually if you want to use them.
What to do if none of these methods work
If you have no Microsoft account password, no password reset disk, no other administrator account, and cannot create a new local account, your remaining options are limited. You can contact Microsoft Support with proof of ownership of the computer — usually the product key or proof of purchase — and they can walk you through additional recovery steps specific to your situation.
The most direct path in this case is to reinstall Windows 10 using installation media on a USB drive. This erases everything on your computer and gives you a fresh Windows installation with no password set. You can then restore your files from a backup if you have one. This is a significant step and should be a last resort, but it does work when every other method is exhausted.
Prevent this from happening again
Once you have regained access to your computer, create a password reset disk when ready. Open Settings, go to Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to Password, and click "Add a password reset disk". Windows will walk you through creating a USB drive that can reset your password anytime. Store this USB drive somewhere safe but accessible — a drawer in your desk is better than a safe deposit box, because you need it to be reachable if you forget your password.
You should also write down your Microsoft account email address and password in a find location, or use a password manager to store it. If you ever forget your Windows password, you can reset it using your Microsoft account credentials from the login screen, which is faster than any other method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my administrator password if I am already signed in?
No. Windows does not display stored passwords anywhere, even to an administrator. If you need to remember your password, your only option is to reset it and create a new one. You can change your password through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change.
What is the difference between a local account and a Microsoft account password?
A local account password is stored only on your computer. A Microsoft account password is stored by Microsoft and syncs across devices. If you use a Microsoft account, you can reset your Windows password from the login screen using your Microsoft email and password. If you use a local account, you need a password reset disk or another administrator account.
If I reset my password, will I lose my files?
No. Resetting your password does not affect your files, programs, or settings. Everything stays exactly as it was. Only the password itself changes. If you create a brand-new local account instead, your old files remain in the old account's folder, but you will need to copy them to access them from the new account.
Can I reset the administrator password if I only have a standard user account?
No. A standard user account does not have permission to reset another account's password. You need either another administrator account, your Microsoft account credentials, or a password reset disk. If you have none of these, you cannot reset the password from within Windows.
How long does it take to reset a Windows 10 administrator password?
Using a password reset disk takes about one minute. Using your Microsoft account takes two to five minutes if you have to verify your identity. Using another administrator account takes about three minutes. Creating a new local account takes about five minutes. Reinstalling Windows takes one to two hours.