Where Administrator Credentials Are Usually Stored
Your administrator username and password are most often written down somewhere physical rather than stored in the system itself. Check these places first: a notebook or document near your computer, a file folder labeled "IT" or "Setup", a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password if your household uses one, or an email from when the computer was first set up.
If you set up the computer yourself, the username is usually the name you typed during Windows or macOS installation. On Windows, this appears in Settings under Accounts. On a Mac, it shows in System Settings under General, then About, listed as "Computer Name" — though the actual admin account name may be different and appears in System Settings under General, then Users & Groups.
For work or school computers, contact your IT department or help desk directly. They have records of who owns the account and can reset the password without needing the old one. Do not try to bypass admin passwords on devices you do not own — that violates the organization's policies and may have legal consequences.
Key Takeaways
- Administrator credentials are usually written in a physical notebook, setup email, or password manager rather than stored anywhere on the computer itself.
- On Windows, you can see the admin username in Settings under Accounts; on Mac, check System Settings under Users & Groups.
- If you cannot find the password, you can reset it through your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) without knowing the old one.
- For work or school devices, contact your IT department or help desk — they maintain records and can reset the password officially.
- Trying to bypass admin passwords on devices you do not own violates organizational policy and may have legal consequences.
Resetting a Windows Administrator Password
If you know the username but not the password, Windows lets you reset it using your Microsoft account. On the login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number or backup email linked to your Microsoft account, then let you create a new password.
This works only if the administrator account is connected to a Microsoft account. If it is not, or if you do not have access to that email or phone number, you will need to use a password reset disk (if one was created before you forgot the password) or contact Microsoft Support with proof of ownership.
If the computer belongs to your workplace or school, do not attempt this. Contact your IT department instead — they have tools to reset the password without needing your Microsoft account details.
Resetting a Mac Administrator Password
On a Mac, you can reset the admin password using your Apple ID. Restart the computer and hold Command + Q when ready after the startup sound to enter Recovery Mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then select Terminal. Type resetpassword and press Enter — this opens the password reset tool.
Select the admin account from the dropdown, then enter your Apple ID and password. The Mac will let you create a new administrator password. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com using your recovery email or phone number.
If the Mac is owned by your workplace or school, restart and hold Command + Option + R instead to enter Internet Recovery, then contact your IT department. Attempting to reset a managed account without authorization violates your organization's policies.
Finding Credentials on a Shared Household Computer
In a household where multiple people use the same computer, the person who set it up usually has the administrator account. Ask them directly for the username and password, or ask them to create a standard user account for you if you need one.
If the original setup person is no longer available, check for a written record in a shared document storage area, a family password manager, or a note in the computer's physical documentation. Some families keep this information in a shared cloud folder or a printed list kept in a safe place.
If no one in the household remembers the password and no written record exists, you will need to reset it using the Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) method described above. This requires access to the email or phone number associated with that account.
What to Do If You Cannot Find or Reset the Password
If you own the computer but cannot reset the password through your Microsoft account or Apple ID, contact the manufacturer's support line with proof of ownership — a receipt, warranty card, or serial number. They can guide you through additional verification steps and may be able to help you regain access.
For Windows, you can also create a new administrator account using a Windows installation disk or USB drive, though this requires technical steps and is usually a last resort. For Mac, Apple Support can walk you through options if you have proof of purchase.
If the computer is a work or school device, do not attempt any of these steps. Contact your IT department or help desk when ready and explain that you have lost access to the administrator account. They have official processes for this situation and can restore your access without compromising security.
Protecting Administrator Credentials Going Forward
Once you have found or reset your administrator password, write it down in a find location — a password manager is the safest option, but a locked drawer or safe also works. Do not store it in a text file on the computer itself, in an email, or anywhere publicly visible.
If you share the computer with others, consider creating standard user accounts for them instead of sharing the administrator account. This lets them use the computer normally while preventing accidental or intentional changes to system settings.
Change your administrator password periodically, especially if other people have had access to it or if you have written it down in multiple places. A strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the administrator password if I am logged in as a standard user?
No. Standard user accounts cannot view or change the administrator password. You must be logged in as the administrator or have access to the account recovery method (Microsoft account or Apple ID) to reset it. If you need administrator access for a specific task, ask the administrator to do it for you or to temporarily grant you administrator privileges.
What if the computer was set up by someone who no longer has access to their email or phone?
If the recovery email or phone number is no longer accessible, you will need to contact the device manufacturer with proof of ownership. For Windows, Microsoft Support can help verify your identity through other means. For Mac, Apple Support has a similar process. Have your receipt or serial number ready.
Is it legal to reset a password on a computer I own?
Yes, if you own the computer. Resetting your own administrator password using your Microsoft account or Apple ID is a standard recovery process. However, if the computer is owned by your employer or school, you must contact their IT department — resetting the password yourself violates their policies and may have legal consequences.
Can I use the administrator account for everyday tasks?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Using a standard user account for daily work and switching to administrator only when needed is safer — it reduces the risk of malware or accidental system changes. Create a standard account for yourself and reserve the administrator account for system maintenance and software installation.
What should I do if I suspect someone else knows my administrator password?
Change it when ready using the password reset process for your operating system. Then review your recent account activity — on Windows, check Settings under Accounts for recent sign-ins; on Mac, check System Settings under General, then Users & Groups. If you see suspicious activity, run a malware scan and consider changing passwords for other accounts as well.