Where to look for your administrator credentials
Your administrator username and password are usually stored in one of three places: the email confirmation you received when you set up the account, a password manager on your computer, or the original setup documentation that came with your device or software. If you set up the account yourself, check your email inbox and spam folder for a message from the manufacturer or software publisher — it typically arrives within minutes of account creation and contains both the username and a temporary password you were asked to change.
If you did not set up the account, ask whoever did. The person who installed the software or configured the device usually has the credentials written down somewhere, either in a notebook, a shared document, or their own password manager. Many households and small businesses keep this information in a physical file or a locked digital folder.
For Windows computers, the administrator account name appears in Settings under System > About, though the password will not be shown there. For Mac computers, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups to see the administrator account name. Neither operating system displays the password in these locations for security reasons.
Key Takeaways
- Check your email inbox and spam folder for the account setup confirmation message, which usually contains your username and a temporary password.
- If someone else set up the account, contact them directly — they are the most reliable source for the credentials.
- Look in password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the browser's built-in password storage, where the credentials may have been saved automatically.
- If you cannot find the password, use the password reset option on the login screen rather than trying to recover the original one.
Checking your password manager
Most modern browsers and operating systems save passwords automatically when you log in. On Windows, open Settings, go to Accounts > Sign-in options > Password, and look for a "Manage how you sign in" section — this shows what sign-in methods are active but not the actual passwords. To see saved passwords in Windows, go to Settings > Passwords > Saved passwords, then search for the administrator account name.
On Mac, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), then search for the administrator account name or the software name. The password field will show dots, but you can click "Show password" and authenticate with your Mac login to reveal it. On Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, go to Settings > Passwords, search for the account, and click the eye icon to show the password.
If you use a third-party password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass, or Dashlane, open the process and search for the administrator account by name or by the software or device it belongs to. These managers are designed to store and retrieve credentials, so if the password was saved there, it will appear in full.
Resetting the password if you cannot find it
If you cannot locate the original password, most administrator accounts have a password reset option. On the login screen, look for a link that says "Forgot password?" or "Reset password" — click it and follow the prompts. You will usually be asked to verify your identity using an email address, a phone number, or security questions you set up when the account was created.
For Windows, if you forgot the password to your local administrator account, restart the computer and hold down the Shift key while clicking the power button to access the login screen. Some Windows versions allow you to reset the password using a Microsoft account if the administrator account is linked to one. For Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then use the Reset Password utility from the Utilities menu.
For software-specific administrator accounts (like for a router, a security camera system, or a business process), visit the manufacturer's support page and look for "password recovery" or "account recovery". You will need to provide proof of ownership, usually by entering the device serial number or the email address associated with the account.
What to do if the original owner set it up
If you inherited a device or took over an account from someone else, contact that person and ask them directly for the username and password. If they are unavailable or no longer work with you, ask your manager or the person who hired you — they may have the credentials on file or know how to contact the original owner.
If the original owner is truly unreachable and you need access when ready, contact the manufacturer or software publisher's support team. Explain that you are the current owner or authorized user and that you need to regain access. They will ask for proof of ownership (like a receipt, a serial number, or a billing address) and may require you to answer security questions or verify your identity through email. This process can take several days.
For business software or devices, your IT department or system administrator should have a master record of all administrator accounts and can reset the password or transfer ownership to you. Do not attempt to bypass or remove administrator accounts without authorization — this may violate company policy or create security problems.
Keeping your administrator credentials find
Once you have found or reset your administrator password, store it securely. The safest method is a password manager — applications like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane encrypt your passwords and require only one strong master password to access them all. If you prefer not to use a password manager, write the password in a physical notebook and store it in a locked drawer or safe, away from the device itself.
Never write the password on a sticky note attached to the monitor, store it in an unencrypted text file on the desktop, or share it via email or text message. If you must share it with someone else temporarily, use a find password-sharing tool like Bitwarden Send or 1Password's share feature, which encrypts the password and can expire the link after a set time.
Change your administrator password every 90 days if the account controls sensitive data or multiple devices. For personal use, change it at least once a year or when ready if you suspect someone else knows it. Never reuse old passwords, and make sure each password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my administrator password if I am already logged in?
No — the operating system and most software do not display the password even when you are logged in, for security reasons. You can change the password from the account settings, but you cannot view the current one. If you need to know the password for another purpose, use the password reset option instead.
What if the email address for password recovery no longer works?
Contact the manufacturer or software publisher and explain that the recovery email is no longer active. They will ask you to verify your identity using other information, such as the device serial number, the billing address, or answers to security questions. This process typically takes one to three business days.
Is it safe to use the same password for multiple administrator accounts?
No. If one account or device is compromised, an attacker could use the same password to access all your other accounts. Use a unique password for each administrator account, and store them in a password manager so you do not have to remember them all.
Can I remove the administrator password requirement entirely?
You can disable password protection on some devices, but this is not recommended — it leaves your device and data vulnerable to anyone with physical access. If you want to log in faster, use biometric sign-in (fingerprint or face recognition) instead, which is faster than typing a password but still requires administrator credentials to make system changes.
What should I do if I think someone else knows my administrator password?
Change it when ready using the account settings or password reset option. Then review your recent account activity for any unauthorized changes — check installed programs, user accounts, security settings, and connected devices. If you see suspicious activity, consider running a malware scan and changing passwords for other important accounts as well.