The fastest way depends on what you remember and what device you're using
If you've forgotten your Windows password, the path forward depends on whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account, and whether you can access another device. A Microsoft account password can be reset online from any browser. A local account password has no online reset option — you'll need to use a recovery key you saved earlier, answer security questions, or use another admin account on the same computer. If you're locked out of everything, you have one more option: a password reset disk, if you made one before you forgot the password.
The reason these paths differ is that Microsoft accounts are tied to your email and Microsoft's servers, while local accounts exist only on your computer. Knowing which type you have is the first step.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft account passwords reset online at account.microsoft.com from any device, and you'll need access to your recovery email or phone number.
- Local account passwords cannot be reset online — you need a recovery key saved beforehand, answers to security questions, or another admin account on the same computer.
- If you have no other device and no recovery method, a password reset disk (created before you forgot the password) is your only option.
- Windows 10 and 11 both allow you to see which account type you have by looking at the sign-in screen or Settings.
Resetting a Microsoft account password from another device
If your Windows computer uses a Microsoft account (the email address you sign in with), you can reset the password from any other device with internet access. Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Sign in" in the top right. On the sign-in page, click "Can't access your account?" at the bottom.
Microsoft will ask you to enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. You'll then choose how to verify your identity — usually by entering a code sent to your recovery email or phone number. Once you verify, you can create a new password. This new password works when ready on your Windows computer the next time you sign in.
If you don't have access to your recovery email or phone number, Microsoft offers other verification methods, including answering security questions you set up when you created the account. The questions appear after you click "I can't use any of these options" on the verification screen.
Recovering a local account password using a recovery key
A local account is one where you sign in with a username that exists only on your computer, not tied to an email address. If you set up a recovery key before you forgot your password, you can use it to reset the password on the sign-in screen itself.
On the Windows sign-in screen, enter your username and click "Reset password." Windows will ask for your recovery key — a long string of characters you should have saved in a safe place when you first created the account. Paste or type the key, then create a new password. You'll be signed in when ready.
If you don't have the recovery key written down or saved anywhere, this method won't work. Move to the next section to see other options.
Using security questions to reset a local account
If you created a local account and set up security questions (such as "What was the name of your first pet?"), you can use those answers to reset your password from the sign-in screen. Click "Reset password" on the sign-in screen, then select "Use a security question instead" when prompted.
Windows will display the questions you chose during setup. Answer them correctly, and you'll be able to create a new password. The answers are case-sensitive, so type them exactly as you entered them originally.
This method only works if you actually set up security questions when you created the account. Many people skip this step, in which case you'll need to try another method.
Signing in with a different admin account on the same computer
If another person uses the same Windows computer and has an admin account, they can reset your password without needing your recovery key or security question answers. Ask them to sign in with their account, then open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. They'll see your account listed and can click it, then select "Reset password." They can set a temporary password that you'll change the next time you sign in.
This only works if the other person's account has admin rights. Standard user accounts cannot reset other passwords. If you're unsure whether an account is admin, the person can check by opening Settings > Accounts > Your info and looking for "Administrator" under their account name.
Using a password reset disk if you created one before
If you created a password reset disk on a USB drive or external drive before you forgot your password, you can use it to reset your local account password from the sign-in screen. Insert the disk, click "Reset password" on the sign-in screen, and follow the wizard. Select the disk when prompted, then create a new password.
A password reset disk only works for the account it was created for, and only on the computer where it was made. If you never created one, this option is not available to you. You cannot create a password reset disk after you've forgotten your password.
What to do if none of these methods work
If you have no recovery key, no security questions set up, no other admin account on the computer, and no password reset disk, you cannot recover access to a local account through Windows itself. Your remaining options are to contact Microsoft Support (for a Microsoft account) or to reinstall Windows (which erases all files on the computer).
Before you reinstall, try contacting Microsoft Support at support.microsoft.com. Explain your situation and provide proof of ownership of the computer (such as the product key or proof of purchase). Support may be able to help you regain access, though this process can take several days.
If you decide to reinstall Windows, you'll need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and access to another computer to create the installation media. The reinstall process erases everything on your computer, so this is a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a Microsoft account or a local account?
Look at the sign-in screen. If you sign in with an email address, you have a Microsoft account. If you sign in with a username (like "John" or "JohnSmith"), you have a local account. You can also check by opening Settings > Accounts > Your info and looking at the name displayed under your account.
Can I reset my password if I'm already signed in?
Yes. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select "Change a password." Enter your current password, then create a new one. This works for both Microsoft and local accounts and doesn't require recovery keys or security questions.
What if I forgot my Microsoft account password and don't have access to my recovery email?
Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account?" You can verify your identity by answering security questions, providing a phone number, or using a trusted device you've signed in on before. Microsoft will walk you through the options available for your account.
Is there a way to bypass my password without resetting it?
No. Windows requires a password or biometric sign-in (fingerprint or face recognition) to access your account. There is no bypass method that doesn't involve resetting the password or reinstalling Windows.
Can I use someone else's admin account to reset my password permanently?
An admin can set a temporary password for you, but you should change it to something only you know the next time you sign in. If you change it when ready after signing in, only you will know the new password.