The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you know your current password, you can remove it in Settings in about two minutes. If you've forgotten it, the process is longer and depends on whether you're using a Microsoft account or a local account — and whether you set up a password reset disk or recovery email beforehand.

The method also changes if you're locked out right now versus preparing to remove the password while you still have access. Start with whichever section matches your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and select "Password" to change it to nothing.
  • A Microsoft account password can be reset through account.microsoft.com if you have access to your recovery email or phone number.
  • A local account password requires either a password reset disk you made earlier, a Microsoft account you linked to it, or a second admin account on the same computer.
  • If you're locked out with no recovery options, you'll need to reinstall Windows, which erases everything on the drive.
  • Removing your password means anyone with physical access to your computer can turn it on and see all your files.

Removing the password when you still know it

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Go to Accounts, then Sign-in options on the left side. Under "Password," click Change.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it's really you. Type it in and click Next. On the next screen, leave both the "New password" and "Confirm password" fields blank. Click Next, then Finish. The next time you restart, you won't be asked for a password.

This works the same way whether you have a Microsoft account or a local account. The whole process takes less than five minutes if you have the password in front of you.

Resetting a Microsoft account password from another device

If you've forgotten the password to a Microsoft account, you can reset it on any computer or phone. Go to account.microsoft.com and click Sign in. Click Can't access your account? at the bottom.

Microsoft will ask you to enter the email address or phone number associated with the account. Then it will send a code to your recovery email or phone number — whichever you set up when you created the account. Enter that code, and you'll be able to set a new password.

Once you've set a new password, go back to your Windows 10 computer, restart it, and sign in with the new password. Then follow the steps in the section above to remove the password entirely.

This only works if you have access to the recovery email or phone number you registered with Microsoft. If you don't remember that email address or no longer have access to that phone number, you'll need to contact Microsoft support, which can take several days.

Resetting a local account password using a password reset disk

A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you create ahead of time, before you forget your password. If you made one, plug it into your locked computer now.

At the Windows login screen, enter any password (it doesn't have to be correct) and press Enter. Windows will say the password is wrong. Click Reset password below the password field.

The Password Reset Wizard will open. Click Next, then select the reset disk from the list of drives. Click Next again. You'll be asked to create a new password — leave it blank if you want no password, or type one in if you want to keep a password but change what it is. Click Next, then Finish.

If you don't have a reset disk and didn't create one before you forgot your password, this option won't help you. You can create a reset disk now for future use, but it won't unlock your current account.

Using another admin account to reset the password

If someone else on your computer has an admin account and you know their password, they can reset your password without needing your old one.

Have the other person sign in with their account. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Other people on the left. Find your account name in the list and click it. Click Reset password. They'll be asked to create a new password for you — they should leave it blank if you want no password.

Once the password is reset, you can sign in with the new (or blank) password. If you want to remove the password entirely and didn't already, follow the steps in the first section above.

What to do if you're completely locked out with no recovery options

If you don't remember your password, don't have a reset disk, can't access your recovery email, and there's no other admin account on the computer, Windows cannot let you in without reinstalling the operating system.

Reinstalling Windows means erasing everything on your hard drive — all your files, programs, and settings disappear. You'll need a Windows 10 installation disk or USB drive, which you can create on another computer using the Windows Media Creation Tool (available free from Microsoft's website). The reinstall process takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your computer's speed.

After reinstalling, you can set up Windows 10 with no password at all, or with a new password you choose. You'll need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from a backup if you have one.

Why you might want to keep a password even if you remove it now

Removing your password means anyone who can physically turn on your computer can see everything in it — your email, files, photos, banking information, and anything else stored on the drive. If your computer is in a shared home, a workplace, or anywhere it could be stolen or borrowed, a password is your main defense.

If you want to remove the password because you find it annoying, consider a PIN instead. A PIN is usually shorter and faster to type than a password. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, click PIN (Windows Hello), and set up a four-digit or longer PIN. You can keep the password as a backup, or remove it once the PIN is working.

If you want to remove the password because you keep forgetting it, create a password reset disk now while you still have access. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to "Reset your password," and click Create a password reset disk. Store the disk somewhere safe. If you forget your password in the future, you'll be able to reset it without losing access to your files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the password without restarting?

No. The password is checked every time Windows starts up. You'll need to restart your computer at least once after removing the password for the change to take effect. The restart can happen when ready after you finish in Settings.

What if I remove the password and then want to add one back?

Go back to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and click Add under "Password." You can create a new password whenever you want. You don't need the old password to add a new one.

Does removing the password affect my Microsoft account or email?

No. Your Windows password and your Microsoft account password are separate. Removing your Windows password doesn't change your Microsoft account password, and you can still sign into Outlook, OneDrive, or other Microsoft services with your account credentials.

If I remove the password, can someone use my computer to change my Microsoft account password?

Yes, if they have physical access to your computer and you're signed in with a Microsoft account, they could potentially change your Microsoft account password from Settings. If security is a concern, keep a password on your Windows login even if it's just a short PIN.