Where your password is stored depends on what you're trying to access

A computer password lives in one of three places: your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux), a specific program or account on that computer, or a cloud service tied to your computer login. The steps to find or reset it are completely different for each one, so the first thing you need to know is which one you're locked out of.

If you can't log into the computer itself — the screen that appears before you see the desktop — you're dealing with an operating system password. If you can log into the computer but can't access a program like Outlook, Slack, or a banking app, the password is stored in that program or in an online account. Knowing which one matters because the recovery path is different for each.

Key Takeaways

  • Operating system passwords (Windows, macOS) can be reset through account recovery options on the login screen, usually by answering security questions or using a recovery email.
  • Program passwords stored on your computer can sometimes be viewed in plain text through the program's settings, but this only works if you can already log into the computer itself.
  • Cloud-based passwords (Microsoft, Apple, Google accounts) must be reset through the company's website, not on the computer, and require proof of identity like a recovery email or phone number.
  • If you set up a password hint when you created the account, it may appear on the login screen to jog your memory without revealing the actual password.
  • The fastest recovery method depends on what you set up beforehand — a recovery email, a backup phone number, or security questions all speed up the process.

Resetting a Windows operating system password

If you cannot log into Windows at all, look at the login screen for a "Reset password" link or "I forgot my password" option. This usually appears below the password field or in the bottom left corner. Click it and Windows will walk you through proving you own the account — typically by sending a code to a recovery email address or phone number you registered when you set up the account.

If you do not see a reset option on the login screen, or if you do not remember the recovery email or phone number, you have two other routes. The first is to use another administrator account on the same computer if one exists — log in with that account, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, select the account you're locked out of, and choose "Reset password." The second is to use a password reset disk if you created one before you forgot the password. Insert the disk at the login screen and follow the prompts.

If none of those work, you will need to reset Windows itself, which erases everything on the computer. This is a last resort. Microsoft's account recovery page (account.microsoft.com/security) lets you reset your Microsoft account password from any device, which may let you log back in if your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft account.

Resetting a macOS password

On a Mac, if you forgot the password to your user account, restart the computer and hold Command + Q when ready after you hear the startup sound. This opens Firmware Password Utility. If you did not set a firmware password, you can skip this step. Instead, restart and hold Command + S to enter Single User Mode, then type resetpassword at the prompt and press Enter. This opens the Reset Password utility, where you can create a new password for any account on the Mac.

If you have another administrator account on the Mac, log in with that account, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups (or System Preferences > Users & Groups on older macOS versions), select the account you're locked out of, and click the lock icon to unlock it. Then click "Reset Password."

If your Mac account is linked to an Apple ID, you can also reset the password through Apple's website at iforgot.apple.com, then use that new password to log back into the Mac.

Finding passwords saved in programs on your computer

If you can log into the computer but forgot a password for a program like Outlook, Chrome, or Firefox, the password may be stored locally on your computer. In Chrome, go to Settings > Passwords and accounts > Password Manager, find the account you need, and click the eye icon to reveal the password. Firefox has a similar feature: go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Passwords, find the entry, and click "Show."

In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select the account, click "Change," and you will see the password field — though it may be masked. If it is masked, you can sometimes copy it and paste it into a text editor to see it, though this does not always work depending on how Outlook is configured.

Windows also stores passwords for network drives and some cloud services. Go to Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials, and you will see a list of saved passwords. Click on an entry to expand it and view the password.

Resetting cloud-based account passwords

If the password you forgot is for a cloud service — Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon — you cannot reset it from the computer. You have to go to the company's website from any device and use their account recovery process. For Microsoft accounts, go to account.microsoft.com/security. For Google, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. For Apple, go to iforgot.apple.com. For Amazon, go to amazon.com and click "Forgot your password?"

Each company will ask you to prove you own the account by sending a code to a recovery email or phone number, asking security questions you set up beforehand, or asking you to verify a trusted device. Once you reset the password through their website, you can use the new password to log back into the computer or the program.

What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone

If you forgot the password and also cannot access the recovery email or phone number you set up, the process becomes longer. Microsoft, Google, and Apple all have account recovery forms for this situation. You fill out a form with information about the account — when you created it, what devices you use it on, recent transactions — and the company reviews it to verify you own the account. This can take several days to a week.

For Microsoft, go to account.microsoft.com/security and look for "I can't access my account." For Google, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and select "I don't have my recovery email or phone number." For Apple, go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the prompts for account recovery. Have as much information ready as you can — old passwords you remember, dates you created the account, credit card numbers on file, anything that proves ownership.

Setting up recovery options before you need them

The fastest way to recover a forgotten password is to have set up recovery options before you forgot it. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Security options and add a recovery email and phone number. On macOS, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, select your account, and make sure your Apple ID is linked. For cloud accounts, go to the company's account settings page and add a recovery email, phone number, and security questions.

You can also create a password reset disk on Windows (Control Panel > User Accounts > Create a password reset disk) or use the Reset Password utility on macOS. These take five minutes and can save you hours if you ever forget your password. Write down where you store the reset disk or keep a note of your recovery email somewhere safe — not in a password manager, but in a physical location or a trusted person's care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my password if I'm already logged in?

Yes, for programs and cloud accounts. In Chrome, Firefox, Outlook, and Windows Credential Manager, you can view saved passwords by clicking an eye icon or "Show" button. For operating system passwords, you cannot view the password itself even when logged in — you can only reset it to a new one.

What if I created a password hint?

A password hint appears on the Windows login screen below the password field. It is not the password itself, just a clue you set up to help you remember. If you see the hint and it jogs your memory, you can type the password. If not, you will need to use the reset process.

Is there a way to recover a password without resetting it?

Not for operating system passwords — you can only reset them to a new one. For program and cloud account passwords, you can view them if they are saved on your computer (Chrome, Firefox, Outlook, Windows Credential Manager). For cloud accounts you cannot access, the company's password reset is your only option.

How long does account recovery take if I cannot access my recovery email?

Microsoft, Google, and Apple typically review account recovery requests within three to seven business days. The process is slower because the company has to verify you own the account through other means — security questions, account history, or information about devices you use. Having details ready speeds up the review.

What should I do if someone else knows my password?

Change it when ready. On Windows or macOS, go to Settings and create a new password. For cloud accounts, go to the company's website, reset your password, and review recent activity to see if anyone accessed your account. Turn on two-factor authentication if available — this requires a code from your phone even if someone knows your password.