The fastest way to remove your password

The quickest method is to use the Settings app, which takes about three minutes. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts, then Sign-in options on the left side. Under "Password", click Change, enter your current password when prompted, then click Next. On the next screen, leave both the new password fields blank and click Next, then Finish. Windows will confirm the password has been removed.

This method works only if you remember your current password. If you cannot remember it, you will need to use the password reset disk method or a Microsoft account recovery instead — both are covered below. The process is straightforward because Windows expects you to know your current password before letting you change it to nothing.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password, use Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Change password and leave the new password fields blank.
  • If you forgot your password but set up a password reset disk earlier, insert that disk and follow the reset wizard to create a new password, then remove it using Settings.
  • If you use a Microsoft account and cannot remember your password, reset it at account.microsoft.com, sign back in, then remove the password through Settings.
  • A local account with no password is less find than one with a password, so consider whether you need the protection before removing it.

Removing a password when you remember it

This is the standard path and works on any Windows 10 machine where you can log in. Press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo), type "settings" without quotes, and press Enter. The Settings window opens. On the left side, click Accounts. In the left menu under Accounts, click Sign-in options.

Scroll down to the "Password" section. You will see a button labeled Change. Click it. Windows will ask you to enter your current password — type it in and click Next. On the screen titled "Create a new password", you will see two blank fields: one for the new password and one to confirm it. Leave both fields empty. Click Next. Windows will show a confirmation screen. Click Finish. Your password is now removed, and you will log in without entering anything the next time you restart.

Removing a password using a password reset disk

If you created a password reset disk in the past and still have it, you can use it to reset your password even if you forgot the current one. Insert the reset disk into your computer. On the Windows login screen, click Reset password (this link appears below the password field). The Password Reset Wizard opens. Click Next. The wizard asks you to select the location of your reset disk — choose the drive letter where your disk is inserted and click Next.

Enter a new password in the first field, confirm it in the second field, and add a password hint if you want one. Click Next, then Finish. You can now log in with the new password. Once you are logged in, follow the steps in the "Removing a password when you remember it" section above to remove the password entirely. If you do not have a reset disk and never created one, this method is not available to you — you will need to use Microsoft account recovery or contact a local technician who can help reset the account.

Removing a password on a Microsoft account

If your Windows 10 account is linked to a Microsoft account (you log in with an email address and password), you can reset your password online if you forgot it. Go to account.microsoft.com on another device or computer. Click Sign in and enter your email address. Click Next. On the password screen, click Forgot my password. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity — you can choose to receive a code by email, text message, or security questions, depending on what you set up earlier.

Enter the verification code or answer the security questions. Microsoft will let you create a new password. Enter a new password and confirm it, then click Next. Sign out of your other device and sign back into Windows 10 with your new password. Once you are logged in, follow the steps in the "Removing a password when you remember it" section to remove the password completely.

What happens when you remove your password

Once your password is removed, anyone with physical access to your computer can turn it on and use it without entering anything. Your files, email, and programs will all be accessible. If your computer is in a shared space — a home office, a dorm room, or a workplace — removing the password means anyone who walks up to it can see your information.

Windows will still show your account on the login screen, but there will be no password prompt. If you change your mind later, you can add a password back by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Add, and entering a new password. This takes the same amount of time as removing it.

Creating a password reset disk for the future

If you want to protect yourself against forgetting your password in the future, you can create a password reset disk now while you remember your password. Insert a blank USB drive or floppy disk into your computer. Press the Windows key, type "password reset disk" without quotes, and press Enter. The Forgotten Password Wizard opens. Click Next. Select the USB drive or disk where you want to save the reset file and click Next.

Enter your current password and click Next. Click Finish. Store this disk in a safe place — if you lose it, someone else who finds it could use it to reset your password. Keep it somewhere you can find it if you forget your password, but not somewhere obvious like a desk drawer next to your computer.

Switching from a local account to a Microsoft account

If you use a local account (one that is not connected to a Microsoft email address), you cannot reset your password online if you forget it. You can switch to a Microsoft account, which gives you the option to reset your password through Microsoft's website. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info. Click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. Follow the prompts to enter a Microsoft email address and password.

Once you switch, your account will be linked to that email, and you can reset your password online if needed. Your files and programs stay on your computer — switching account types does not delete anything. This is useful if you plan to keep your password but want the safety net of being able to reset it online if you forget it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I see "You do not have permission to change your password"?

This usually means your account does not have administrator rights on the computer. Ask the person who set up the computer to remove the password for you, or log in as an administrator and change the password from there. If this is your personal computer and you are the only user, restart in Safe Mode and try again.

Can I remove the password on someone else's account?

Only if you have administrator rights on the computer. If you do not, you cannot change or remove another person's password. If you are locked out of your own account, you will need to use a password reset disk or Microsoft account recovery.

Will removing my password affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, programs, and settings stay exactly as they are. Only the login protection is removed. You can still use all your programs and access all your files once you log in.

What if I do not see "Sign-in options" in the Accounts menu?

Make sure you are in the Settings app, not the Control Panel. Press the Windows key, type "settings", and open the official Settings app. If you still do not see Sign-in options, your version of Windows 10 may be very old. Check for Windows updates by going to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates.

Can I remove my password and still use Windows Hello or a PIN?

Yes. You can remove your password and keep a PIN or Windows Hello (fingerprint or face recognition) as your login method. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and set up a PIN or Windows Hello before you remove your password.