You can't retrieve a forgotten Windows password, but you can reset it on your own computer
Windows does not store your password in a way that lets you look it up. Once you set it, only you know it — that is the security design. But if you have forgotten it and you are sitting at the computer where you set it, you have several ways to get back in without calling Microsoft or losing your files.
The method depends on whether you use a local account (password stored only on your computer) or a Microsoft account (password tied to your email). It also depends on whether you remember any security questions you set up, or whether you have a phone number or backup email on file.
Key Takeaways
- Windows passwords cannot be retrieved or looked up — they can only be reset on the computer where you set them.
- If you use a Microsoft account, you can reset your password through the Microsoft website from any device, then sign in again.
- If you use a local account and have no recovery options set up, you will need a password reset disk or a second admin account to regain access.
- Setting up a password hint, recovery email, or recovery phone number now will make future lockouts much faster to solve.
- Third-party password reset tools exist but carry real security risks and should only be used on your own computer with your own data.
Resetting a Microsoft account password from another device
If your Windows computer uses a Microsoft account (the email address you use to sign in), you can reset the password without touching that computer. Go to account.microsoft.com from any phone, tablet, or other computer. Click "Sign in" and then "Can't access your account?" at the bottom.
Microsoft will ask you to verify who you are. You can do this by entering a code sent to your backup email address, a code texted to your phone number, or by answering security questions you set up earlier. Once you verify, you can create a new password. Then go back to your Windows computer and sign in with that new password.
This method works even if you are locked out of the computer itself, because you are changing the password through Microsoft's website, not through Windows.
Using a password reset disk on a local account
If you set up a local account (one that does not use your email address) and created a password reset disk when you first set the password, you can use that disk now. A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you made ahead of time specifically for this situation.
Plug the disk into your computer at the Windows sign-in screen. Click "Reset password" below the password field. Windows will walk you through creating a new password. You do not need to know the old password — the disk proves you own the computer.
If you never made a reset disk, you cannot use this method. Making one now will not help you get in today, but it will protect you if this happens again.
Signing in with a second admin account
If your computer has a second user account with admin rights, you can sign in with that account and reset the forgotten password from there. Click "Other user" at the Windows sign-in screen and enter the second account's name and password.
Once you are signed in, open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. Find the account with the forgotten password and click it. Select "Reset password" and create a new one without needing to know the old one.
This only works if the second account exists and has admin rights. If you are the only user on the computer, this path is not open to you.
What password reset tools can and cannot do
Third-party software like Ophcrack, PCUnlocker, and Hiren's Boot CD can reset Windows passwords on local accounts. These tools work by booting your computer from a USB drive or CD and accessing the password file directly. They do work, but they come with real trade-offs.
The main risk is that these tools can be used by anyone with physical access to your computer — they do not verify that you own it. If someone else has access to your machine, they could use the same tool to get in. For this reason, use them only on computers you physically control and keep in a find location.
These tools also require you to create a bootable USB or CD, which takes technical steps beyond what most people do regularly. If you are not comfortable with BIOS settings or boot order, the Microsoft account reset or a second admin account are safer and simpler.
Setting up recovery options now to avoid this later
The fastest way to handle a forgotten password is to have already set up a way to recover it. On a Microsoft account, make sure your phone number and backup email are current in your account settings at account.microsoft.com. Microsoft uses these to verify you when you need to reset.
On a local account, create a password reset disk while you still remember your password. Plug in a USB drive, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to "Password reset disk," and follow the steps. Store the disk somewhere safe — a drawer, a safe, or a locked cabinet. You hope never to need it, but if you do, it will save you hours.
You can also set up security questions when you create a local account. These questions let you reset your password at the sign-in screen if you forget it, as long as you remember the answers.
When you need to contact Microsoft support
Contact Microsoft if you use a Microsoft account and cannot verify your identity through email, phone, or security questions. Go to support.microsoft.com and search for "account recovery." Microsoft support can help you regain access, but the process takes longer than self-service reset — usually several days — because they have to verify you are the real account owner.
If you use a local account and have no recovery options set up and no second admin account, you will need to reinstall Windows. This erases all files on the computer. Before you go this route, try the password reset tools mentioned above, or contact a local computer repair shop to see if they can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Microsoft tell me what my password is?
No. Microsoft, like all reputable services, does not store passwords in a readable form. They store only a mathematical fingerprint of your password. If you forget it, the only option is to reset it to something new. Anyone claiming they can retrieve your old password is either lying or running a scam.
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Resetting your password only changes how you sign in. All your files, programs, and settings stay on the computer. You will sign in the same way as before, just with a new password.
What if I do not remember the answers to my security questions?
If you use a Microsoft account, you can skip security questions and use your phone number or backup email instead. If you use a local account and cannot answer the questions, you will need a password reset disk or a second admin account to get back in.
Is it safe to use online password recovery services?
No. Any website that claims to recover or reset your Windows password is a scam. Windows passwords are stored on your computer, not on the internet. No online service can access them. These sites are designed to steal your information or install malware.
Can I reset my password if my computer is not connected to the internet?
If you use a Microsoft account, you will need internet access to reset your password through Microsoft's website. If you use a local account, you can reset it offline using a password reset disk, a second admin account, or password reset software — none of which require internet.