The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you have forgotten your administrator password, the path forward depends on whether you can still log into the computer at all, and which operating system you use. Windows and Mac have different built-in recovery methods, and both are faster than calling a technician. The key is knowing which method matches your situation before you start.

On Windows, you can reset a forgotten admin password using another admin account, a Microsoft account recovery email, or a local password reset disk if you created one before. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID, another admin account, or Recovery Mode. Neither method requires you to erase the computer or lose your files.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows lets you reset an admin password from another admin account, or through your Microsoft account email if you linked the account when you set it up.
  • Mac users can reset an admin password through System Preferences using another admin account, or by restarting into Recovery Mode and using the Reset Password utility.
  • If you are the only admin on the computer and cannot log in at all, you will need physical access to the machine and either a password reset disk (Windows) or your Apple ID (Mac).
  • Creating a password reset disk on Windows or writing down your Apple ID now prevents this problem in the future.

Resetting a Windows admin password from another admin account

If someone else on your computer has an admin account and you can ask them to help, this is the simplest route. Have that person log in with their admin account, then open Settings and go to Accounts. They should click "Other people" on the left, find your account name in the list, click it, and then click "Reset password" at the bottom of the window.

They will see a prompt asking for a new password. They can leave it blank if you want to log in without a password temporarily, or they can type a new one you both know. Once they click Next, the password resets when ready and you can log in with the new credentials on your next restart.

This method works only if the other person has admin rights. If they have a standard user account, they will not see the "Reset password" option. You will need to try a different method.

Using your Microsoft account email to reset Windows admin password

If you set up your Windows account using a Microsoft email address (Outlook, Hotmail, or Gmail linked to Microsoft), you can reset the password without needing another admin account. On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field.

Windows will ask you to enter your Microsoft email address and then send a code to that email. Check the inbox (and spam folder) for an email from Microsoft. Enter the code into the Windows login screen, then create a new password. You can log in with this new password when ready.

This method only works if you still have access to the email address you used to create the account. If you no longer have access to that email, you will need to use a password reset disk or Recovery Mode instead.

Using a Windows password reset disk

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it now. Insert the USB drive or floppy disk into the computer, then click "Reset password" on the login screen. Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the disk.

If you did not create a reset disk before, you cannot create one now without already being logged in. This is why creating one ahead of time is worth the five minutes it takes. To make one now for future use, log in with your current password, open Control Panel, search for "password reset disk," and follow the wizard to create one on a USB drive you keep in a safe place.

Resetting a Mac admin password using another admin account

If another person on your Mac has an admin account, they can reset your password through System Preferences. Have them click the Apple menu, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), then click Users & Groups (or Users & Groups in Accounts on newer versions).

They should click the lock icon at the bottom left, enter their own admin password, then click your account name in the list on the left. They will see a button that says "Reset Password." Clicking it lets them set a new password for your account. You can log in with this new password on your next restart.

Using your Apple ID to reset a Mac admin password

If you linked your Apple ID to your Mac account when you set it up, you can use it to reset your password. On the Mac login screen, enter your password incorrectly three times. A message will appear saying "If you forgot your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID."

Click the arrow next to this message. Enter your Apple ID email and password, then create a new Mac password. The Mac will log you in when ready with the new password. This method works only if you remember your Apple ID password and still have access to the email address associated with it.

Using Mac Recovery Mode to reset your password

If you cannot log in and do not have access to another admin account or your Apple ID, you can restart the Mac into Recovery Mode. Shut down the Mac completely, then turn it back on while holding Command and R. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.

Once Recovery Mode loads, click Utilities in the menu bar, then select "Reset Password." Choose your account name from the dropdown, then enter a new password twice. Click Reset Password, then restart the Mac normally. You can log in with your new password.

Recovery Mode is slower than the other methods and takes several minutes to load, but it works when nothing else does. Make sure the Mac is plugged in during this process, as the restart can take 10 to 15 minutes.

What to do if you are the only admin and cannot log in

If you are the only administrator on the computer and have no password reset disk, no access to your recovery email, and no other admin account, you have limited options. On Windows, you may be able to use a third-party password reset tool, though this requires either creating a bootable USB on another computer or taking the machine to a technician.

On Mac, if you cannot access Recovery Mode or your Apple ID, you will likely need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. They can verify your identity and help you regain access. Bring proof of ownership such as your receipt or the serial number of the Mac.

This situation is rare and entirely preventable: creating a password reset disk on Windows or linking your Apple ID to your Mac account takes just a few minutes and saves you from this dead end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without losing my files?

Yes. All the methods described here reset only your password, not your account or the data on the computer. Your files, programs, and settings remain exactly as they are. The computer straightforward lets you log in with a new password.

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

Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account." Microsoft will walk you through proving your identity using a backup email or phone number. Once you regain access to your Microsoft account, you can reset your Windows password using the method described above.

Is there a way to prevent this from happening again?

Yes. On Windows, create a password reset disk now by opening Control Panel, searching for "password reset disk," and following the wizard. On Mac, make sure your Apple ID is linked to your account by going to System Preferences, clicking Users & Groups, and checking that your Apple ID is listed. Both take under five minutes.

Can I reset the password if the computer is locked with a PIN instead of a password?

Yes. The methods described here work for both passwords and PINs. Windows and Mac treat them the same way for recovery purposes. Follow the same steps regardless of whether you use a password or a PIN to log in.

What if I see a message saying I need to contact the administrator?

This usually means your account is a standard user account, not an admin account. You will need to ask the actual administrator of the computer to reset your password using the "Other people" method described above, or to give you admin rights so you can reset it yourself.