Windows 10 does not store your administrator password where you can retrieve it — you can only reset it

If you have forgotten your administrator password, Windows 10 does not have a built-in way to show you what the password is. Instead, you reset it using one of three methods: a password reset disk (if you made one before forgetting the password), a Microsoft account recovery process, or a local account reset using another administrator account. Which method works depends on what type of account you use and what you prepared ahead of time.

The fastest path is usually the one you set up before you locked yourself out. If you did not prepare anything, you will need either a second administrator account on the same computer or access to the email address tied to your Microsoft account.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 cannot show you a forgotten administrator password — you must reset it instead.
  • If you created a password reset disk before forgetting your password, insert it at the login screen and follow the reset wizard.
  • If your account is linked to a Microsoft email address, you can reset your password through the Microsoft account recovery page on another device.
  • If you have a second administrator account on the same computer, you can reset the forgotten password through Settings without needing external tools.
  • If none of these options are available, you will need to reinstall Windows 10 or contact Microsoft support.

Resetting with a password reset disk

A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you create while you still know your password. It stores the information Windows needs to let you create a new password without knowing the old one. If you made one before you forgot your password, this is the fastest method.

Insert the reset disk into your computer. At the Windows 10 login screen, enter any password (it does not have to be correct). Windows will show an error message. Click "Reset password" below the password field. The Reset Password wizard will open and guide you through creating a new password. Once you finish, you can log in with the new password.

If you did not create a reset disk before forgetting your password, this option is not available to you now. You will need to use one of the other methods.

Resetting a Microsoft account password through email

If your Windows 10 account is connected to a Microsoft email address (such as outlook.com, hotmail.com, or a work email linked to Microsoft 365), you can reset your password from any other device with internet access. Go to the Microsoft account recovery page at account.live.com/password/reset on a phone, tablet, or another computer.

Enter the email address for your Microsoft account. Microsoft will send a code to that email address or to a backup phone number on file. Enter the code, then create a new password. Once you have reset the password through Microsoft, return to your Windows 10 computer and log in with the new password at the login screen.

This method works only if you still have access to the email address or phone number tied to your account. If you have lost access to both, you will need to contact Microsoft support directly to verify your identity and regain access.

Resetting from another administrator account on the same computer

If you have a second administrator account on the same Windows 10 computer, you can use it to reset the forgotten password. Log in to the second administrator account. Open Settings and go to Accounts, then select "Other people" (or "Family & other people" in some versions). 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 without requiring the old password. Enter a new password, add a password hint if you want, and click Next. The password is now reset, and you can log out and log back in to the account with the new password.

This method requires that you have physical access to the computer and that a second administrator account exists on it. If you are the only administrator on the computer, you cannot use this method.

Using a Microsoft account recovery code

When you first set up a Microsoft account, Windows may have given you a recovery code — a long string of numbers and letters. If you saved this code, you can use it to reset your password without needing access to your email or phone number.

Go to the Microsoft account recovery page on another device and select "I forgot my password". When prompted, enter your Microsoft email address. Instead of entering a code sent to your email, select "I don't have access to this email" and then "I have a recovery code instead". Enter the recovery code you saved, then create a new password.

Recovery codes are single-use only — once you use one to reset your password, it cannot be used again. If you do not have your recovery code saved, this option is not available.

Reinstalling Windows 10 as a last resort

If you have no password reset disk, no access to your Microsoft account email, no second administrator account, and no recovery code, the only remaining option is to reinstall Windows 10. This will erase all files on your computer, so it should only be done if you have backups of everything you need to keep.

You will need another computer to create a Windows 10 installation media on a USB drive. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows10 and read the Media Creation Tool. Follow the tool's instructions to create a bootable USB drive. Insert the USB drive into your locked computer, restart it, and boot from the USB drive (usually by pressing F12, F2, Del, or Esc during startup — the key varies by computer model).

Follow the Windows 10 installation wizard. When prompted where to install Windows, select your main drive and proceed. Windows will reinstall, and you will be able to create a new administrator account during setup. All previous files and settings will be removed.

Preventing this problem in the future

Once you regain access to your account, create a password reset disk when ready. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Sign-in options". Scroll down to "Password" and click "Create a password reset disk". Follow the wizard to create a USB drive you can use if you ever forget your password again.

If you use a Microsoft account, write down or securely store your recovery code. You can find it in your Microsoft account settings under "Security" — it is a long code that Microsoft provides when you first set up two-factor authentication or account recovery options. Store it somewhere safe, separate from your computer.

Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass to store your passwords securely. These tools can generate strong passwords and remember them for you, reducing the chance you will forget an important password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Windows 10 password if I am logged in?

No. Windows stores passwords in an encrypted form that cannot be reversed to show the original password. Even if you are logged in, there is no built-in way to view your password. If you need to change it, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password and click "Change".

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password but still remember my Windows 10 password?

Your Windows 10 password and your Microsoft account password are separate. If you remember your Windows 10 password, you can log in normally. To reset your Microsoft account password, go to account.live.com/password/reset on another device and follow the recovery process.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password changes only the password — all your files, programs, and settings remain on your computer. Only a full Windows 10 reinstall will delete files, and that should only be done as a last resort.

Can I reset the administrator password from Safe Mode?

Safe Mode does not provide a separate way to reset passwords. You must use one of the methods described above: a password reset disk, Microsoft account recovery, another administrator account, or reinstallation.

What if my computer is part of a work domain?

If your computer is joined to a work or school network domain, you cannot reset the administrator password yourself. Contact your IT department or help desk — they manage domain passwords and can reset it for you.