Windows doesn't store your password where you can retrieve it

If you've forgotten your Windows password, you cannot find it by looking in Windows settings, checking email, or searching your computer files. Windows stores passwords in an encrypted form that even Microsoft cannot decrypt — that's intentional security design. What you can do instead is reset your password, which is different from finding it.

The path you take depends on whether you remember any other login method: a PIN, a security key, your Microsoft account email, or answers to security questions. Each one opens a different reset route. The fastest option is usually the one you set up before you forgot your password.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows passwords are encrypted and cannot be retrieved; you must reset them instead.
  • If you use a Microsoft account, you can reset your password from the Windows login screen by clicking "I forgot my password."
  • If you use a local account with no recovery email, you will need a password reset disk created before you forgot the password, or a second admin account on the same computer.
  • If you remember your PIN or have a security key linked to your account, those can unlock your computer without resetting your password.
  • On a work computer, contact your IT department or help desk rather than attempting a reset yourself.

Reset a Microsoft account password from the login screen

If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft account (the kind you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), the fastest reset is from the login screen itself. Click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you registered with Microsoft.

Microsoft will send a code to that email or phone. Enter the code, create a new password, and you can log in when ready. This works even if you cannot reach the internet on that computer — you can use another device to receive the code and reset the password, then return to your locked computer and log in with the new one.

Use a PIN or security key if you have one set up

If you've created a PIN or linked a security key (like a YubiKey or Windows Hello for Business key) to your account, you can use either one to unlock your computer without resetting your password at all. On the login screen, click "Sign-in options" and select PIN or security key instead of password.

This is the fastest route if you remember the PIN or have the physical key with you. Your password remains unchanged, and you can still use it on other devices or to sign into websites. A PIN is usually four to six digits, while a security key is a physical device you plug in or tap against your computer.

Reset a local account password with a password reset disk

A password reset disk is a USB drive you create in advance, before you forget your password. If you made one, insert it into your locked computer. On the login screen, click "Reset password" and follow the wizard — it will let you create a new password without knowing the old one.

If you did not create a reset disk before you forgot your password, you cannot create one now. This is a common catch: the reset disk must exist before the lockout happens. If you're in this situation, move to the next section. You can create a reset disk now for future use by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Create a password reset disk.

Use a second admin account on the same computer

If another person has an admin account on the same computer and remembers their password, they can reset your password for you. Log in with the other admin account, open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Other people." Find your account and click "Reset password." You can then log in with the new password they set.

This only works if a second admin account exists on that computer. If you're the only account or the only admin, this route is not available. The person resetting your password does not need to know your old password — admin access to the computer is enough.

What to do if none of these routes work

If you don't have a Microsoft account recovery email, no PIN, no security key, no reset disk, and no second admin account, Windows password recovery becomes much harder. Your options narrow to either a factory reset (which erases all files on the computer) or taking the computer to a technician who can perform a more complex recovery.

A factory reset through Windows Recovery will let you set a new password and log in, but you will lose all files, programs, and settings unless you have a backup. If your files matter, a technician may be able to recover them before resetting — this costs money but preserves your data. Some technicians can also bypass the password without erasing files, though this depends on your Windows version and encryption settings.

Password reset on a work computer

If this is a work computer, do not attempt any of these steps. Contact your IT department or help desk instead. Work computers often have additional security policies, domain accounts, or encryption that make self-service resets impossible or risky. Your IT team has the tools and permissions to reset your password safely and restore your access to work files and networks.

Many work computers use domain accounts rather than local or Microsoft accounts, which means the reset process is completely different. Trying to reset a domain account yourself can lock you out further or trigger security alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Windows does not display saved passwords in settings. Some programs (like browsers) store their own passwords and may show them in their settings, but Windows itself keeps your login password encrypted. If you want to change it while logged in, go to Settings > Accounts > Password and click "Change."

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password only changes how you log in. Your files, programs, and settings remain on the computer. The only exception is a factory reset, which erases everything — but that's a last resort when no other recovery method works.

What if I remember part of my password but not all of it?

Windows does not have a "hint" system that helps you remember. You must either reset the password using one of the methods above, or contact Microsoft support if you believe your account was compromised. Partial memory of the password will not let you log in.

Can I recover my password if I never set up a recovery email?

Not through Microsoft. If you have a password reset disk or a second admin account, use those. Otherwise, you will need to reset the password through a technician or factory reset. This is why setting up recovery options (email, phone, security questions) when you first create your account matters — it gives you options later.

How long does a password reset take?

If you use a Microsoft account and have access to your recovery email or phone, a few minutes. If you need a technician, it depends on their availability and whether they need to recover files first — typically a few hours to a day.