Where Windows stores password hints and recovery options
Windows does not store your password anywhere you can retrieve it — by design. If you forget your password, Windows cannot show it to you. What you can do instead is use the password hint you created when you set up your account, reset your password using a recovery email or phone number, or create a new local account if you are locked out of an administrator account.
The password hint appears on the login screen itself. If you set one up, you will see a small question mark icon next to the password field. Click it to see the hint you wrote. This is often enough to jog your memory without needing to reset anything.
If the hint does not help, your next step depends on what kind of account you have — a Microsoft account (which uses your email address) or a local account (which exists only on that computer). Microsoft accounts are easier to recover because Microsoft can verify you through email or phone. Local accounts require you to have set up a recovery email or phone number in advance, or to have another administrator account on the same computer.
Key Takeaways
- Windows password hints appear on the login screen when you click the question mark — check this first before attempting a reset.
- Microsoft accounts can be reset through your email or phone number, even if you do not remember your password.
- Local accounts can only be reset if you set up a recovery email or phone number beforehand, or if another administrator account exists on the computer.
- If you have no recovery method and no other admin account, you will need to reinstall Windows or use a password reset tool on a different computer.
- Passwords stored in your browser or in Windows Credential Manager are encrypted and cannot be viewed in plain text, even by you.
Resetting a Microsoft account password from the login screen
On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using either the email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account. You will receive a code to that email or phone, enter it on the screen, and then create a new password.
This process works even if you are completely locked out. You do not need to be inside Windows. The whole reset happens on the login screen itself, and once you create a new password, you can log in when ready with it.
If you do not receive the code, check your spam folder or the phone number on file. If neither works, you can go to account.microsoft.com from another computer and reset your password there instead. Once you reset it online, come back to your Windows computer and log in with the new password.
Resetting a local account password with a recovery email or phone
Local accounts work differently. On the login screen, click "I forgot my password" and Windows will ask you to enter the recovery email or phone number you set up when you created the account. If you did set one up, you will receive a code and can reset your password the same way as a Microsoft account.
If you did not set up a recovery email or phone number, this option will not work. You will need either another administrator account on the same computer, or you will need to use a password reset tool from another computer.
Using another administrator account to reset a local password
If someone else has an administrator account on the same computer, they can reset your password without knowing the old one. They log in to their own account, open Settings, go to Accounts, select your account, and click "Reset password." They will not see your old password — they will straightforward set a new one that you can use to log in.
This is the fastest way to regain access if you have another admin on the computer. It requires no email, no phone, and no special tools. The person resetting it does not need to know anything except that they have admin rights.
What to do if you have no recovery method and no other admin account
If you have no recovery email, no recovery phone, and no other administrator account, Windows has no built-in way to let you back in. You have two options: reinstall Windows, or use a third-party password reset tool from another computer.
Reinstalling Windows will erase everything on your computer and return it to factory settings. This is the safest option if you own the computer outright, but it means losing all your files unless you have a backup. You will need a Windows installation USB or DVD and another computer to create it.
Password reset tools like Ophcrack or Hiren's Boot CD can reset your password without erasing your files, but they require you to boot from a USB drive or DVD on the locked computer. These tools work by accessing Windows files directly, which is why they need to run before Windows itself starts. They are legal to use on your own computer, but they do require technical steps and another computer to set up.
Finding passwords saved in your browser or in Windows Credential Manager
If you are trying to find a password you saved in Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox, those passwords are encrypted. You cannot view them in plain text, even if you are logged into Windows. Browsers store passwords in a locked vault that only opens when you log in to that browser.
If you remember your browser password, you can go to your browser's password settings and search for the account you forgot. Most browsers will let you see the password if you click "Show" — but only if you are logged into that browser. If you forgot the browser password too, you will need to reset that separately through the browser's account recovery page.
Windows Credential Manager (the system that stores passwords for network drives and some applications) works the same way. You can view saved credentials by opening Control Panel, going to User Accounts, and clicking "Manage your credentials." Again, you must be logged into Windows to see them, and they only display if you have permission to view them.
Preventing password lockouts in the future
The easiest way to avoid this situation is to set up recovery options before you need them. When you create a Windows account, take the time to add a recovery email address and phone number. Write down a password hint that only you will understand. If you use a Microsoft account, make sure you can still access that email address.
Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass to store passwords you use frequently. These tools encrypt your passwords and let you look them up whenever you need them — you only have to remember one master password. Many password managers can also generate strong passwords for new accounts, which reduces the chance you will forget them.
If you share a computer with others, make sure at least one other person has an administrator account. This gives you a backup way to reset your password if you get locked out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my Windows password if I am logged in?
No. Windows does not store passwords in a readable form anywhere on your computer. Even if you are logged in, there is no setting or tool that will show you your password. If you need to change it, you can create a new one through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Password.
What if I remember part of my password but not all of it?
Windows will not let you in with a partial password. You will need to use the password reset process through your recovery email, phone, or another administrator account. There is no way to "guess" your way in or to get Windows to accept a partial match.
Can I reset my password if I do not have internet access?
If you have a local account with a recovery email set up, you will need internet to receive the reset code. If you have another administrator account on the same computer, you can reset your password without internet. If neither applies, you will need internet to read a password reset tool on another computer.
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Resetting your password through recovery email, phone, or another admin account will not delete anything. Your files stay on the computer. Only a full Windows reinstall will erase your files, and that is a last resort.
Is it safe to use third-party password reset tools?
Tools like Ophcrack and Hiren's Boot CD are safe to use on your own computer. They work by accessing Windows system files directly, which is why they need to run before Windows starts. Use them only on computers you own. Do not read them from untrusted websites — go to the official project pages.