The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you know your current password, you can remove it in settings on Windows or macOS in under five minutes. If you have forgotten the password entirely, the process is longer and depends on whether you set up a backup recovery method when you created the account. Either way, you will need to restart your computer and access your account settings directly.

The steps below cover Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS. If you use a work or school computer, your IT department may have locked these settings, and you will need to contact them instead of following these steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing a password when you know it takes five minutes through Settings on Windows or System Preferences on macOS.
  • If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using a recovery email or phone number you set up earlier, or by answering security questions.
  • Windows computers with a Microsoft account can reset a forgotten password online before you restart the computer.
  • If you have no recovery method set up and cannot remember your password, you will need to reinstall Windows or contact Apple Support, which erases the computer.

Removing a password you still remember on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click "Accounts" in the left menu, then click "Sign-in options" in the left sidebar.

Under the "Password" section, click "Change". Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm you are the account owner. Type it in and click "Next". On the next screen, leave both the "New password" and "Confirm password" fields blank, then click "Next" and "Finish". Your password is now removed, and you will sign in by clicking your account name at the login screen.

If you see a message that says "You can't leave this field blank", your computer is using a Microsoft account rather than a local account. You will need to follow the steps in the "Removing a password from a Microsoft account" section below instead.

Removing a password you still remember on macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Preferences" (on older Macs) or "System Settings" (on newer Macs). Click "Users & Groups" or "General", then click the lock icon in the bottom left and enter your password to unlock the settings.

Click your account name in the left sidebar, then click the "Change Password" button. Enter your current password in the "Old password" field. Leave the "New password" and "Verify" fields empty, then click "Change Password". You will now sign in without a password.

Resetting a forgotten password on Windows with a Microsoft account

If you use a Microsoft account (you sign in with an email address), you can reset your password from another device before you restart your computer. Go to account.microsoft.com on any computer or phone, click "Sign in", then click "Can't access your account?" below the password field.

Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address and solve a CAPTCHA puzzle. Click "I forgot my password" and follow the prompts to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier. Microsoft will send you a code to that email or phone. Enter the code, create a new password, and sign in to your computer with the new password. Once you are signed in, you can remove the password by following the steps in the "Removing a password you still remember on Windows 10 or 11" section above.

Resetting a forgotten password on Windows with a local account

If you created a local account (you sign in with a username, not an email), you will need to restart your computer and use a security question or recovery key to reset your password. At the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field.

Windows will ask you security questions you answered when you created the account, such as "What is your mother's maiden name?" or "What was the name of your first pet?" Answer three of these questions correctly, and Windows will let you create a new password. Once you are signed in, you can remove the password by following the steps in the "Removing a password you still remember on Windows 10 or 11" section above.

If you do not remember the answers to your security questions and did not save a recovery key when you created the account, you will need to reinstall Windows. This erases all files on the computer. Contact Microsoft Support or a local computer repair shop for help with this process.

Resetting a forgotten password on macOS

Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R while it boots to enter Recovery Mode. Click "Utilities" in the menu bar, then click "Terminal". Type resetpassword and press Enter. A password reset window will open.

Select your account name from the dropdown menu. If you set up a recovery key or recovery contact when you created your account, click "Reset Password" and follow the prompts to verify your identity. If you did not set up either of these, you will see a message that says you cannot reset your password without them.

If you have no recovery method set up, you will need to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS, which deletes all files on the computer. Contact Apple Support or a local computer repair shop for help with this process.

What to do if you share a computer with other people

If multiple people use the same computer, removing your password means anyone can sign into your account without entering anything. Before you remove your password, think about whether you want other users to have access to your files, email, and browsing history.

A safer option is to keep your password but make it shorter or easier to remember. You can also set up a PIN (a four-digit number) instead of a password by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options on Windows, or by using a shorter password on macOS. This gives you some security without the inconvenience of a long password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove my password without restarting my computer?

Yes, if you remember your current password. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change and leave the new password field blank. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups, unlock the settings, and click Change Password with both new password fields left empty.

What happens to my files if I forget my password and have no recovery method?

Your files remain on the computer, but you cannot access them without reinstalling the operating system, which erases everything. A computer repair shop may be able to recover your files before reinstalling, but this costs money. This is why setting up a recovery email or phone number when you create your account is important.

Can I remove a password from a work or school computer?

No. Work and school computers are usually managed by an IT department that locks these settings. Contact your IT support team or help desk to request a password change or removal.

If I remove my password, can I add one back later?

Yes. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Add and create a new password. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups and click Change Password to set a new one.

Does removing my password affect my email or online accounts?

No. Removing your computer password only affects how you sign into that specific computer. Your email, social media, banking, and other online accounts keep their own passwords and are not changed.