The three ways to delete your Windows 10 password

You can remove your Windows 10 password through Settings, Control Panel, or by resetting it if you have forgotten it. The method you choose depends on whether you remember your current password and what type of account you use — local or Microsoft.

A local account is one you created on your computer with a username and password stored only on that device. A Microsoft account is linked to your email address and syncs across devices. Removing the password works differently for each, and the steps take between five and ten minutes.

Before you delete your password, understand that anyone with physical access to your computer will be able to turn it on and use it without entering anything. This is a real security trade-off: convenience for you means no barrier to someone else using your files, email, or installed programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Local accounts let you remove the password entirely through Settings or Control Panel, but Microsoft accounts require you to change the password to blank rather than delete it.
  • You must know your current password to remove it through Settings — if you have forgotten it, you will need to use the password reset disk or another recovery method.
  • Removing your password means anyone with access to your computer can log in without a barrier, so consider whether you share the device with others.
  • If you use a Microsoft account, removing the password from Windows does not remove it from your Microsoft account itself — only from your local login.

Remove a password from a local account through Settings

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

Under the "Password" section, click Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password. Type it and click Next. On the next screen, leave both the "New password" and "Confirm password" fields blank, then click Next and Finish. The next time you restart your computer, you will not be asked for a password.

If you do not see a "Change" button under Password, your account may be a Microsoft account rather than a local account. Check the top of the Accounts page — it will say either "Your info" with your email address (Microsoft account) or your username without an email (local account).

Remove a password from a local account through Control Panel

Press the Windows key and type "Control Panel," then press Enter. Click User Accounts, then click User AccountsManage another account if you are removing the password from a different user account, or Change your password if it is your own account.

If you are changing your own account, click Change your password. Enter your current password in the first field. Leave the "New password" and "Confirm new password" fields empty, then click Next and Finish.

If you are removing the password from another account on the same computer, select that account and click Remove the password. You will not be asked for that account's password — only your own administrator password if your account has admin rights.

What to do if you have a Microsoft account

Microsoft accounts do not allow you to remove the password entirely through Windows settings. Instead, you can change it to a blank password, but this is not recommended because it leaves your Microsoft account vulnerable if someone gains access to your computer.

If you want to remove the password requirement when you log in, the safer option is to switch to a local account first. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, then click Sign in with a local account instead. Windows will ask for your Microsoft account password to confirm, then let you create a new local account with or without a password.

Once you have switched to a local account, you can follow the Settings or Control Panel steps above to remove the password entirely. Your Microsoft account will still exist and still have its password — only your Windows login will be password-free.

If you have forgotten your password

You cannot use the Settings or Control Panel method if you do not remember your current password. Instead, you have three options: use a password reset disk if you created one before, use another administrator account on the same computer, or reset Windows using your Microsoft account recovery options.

A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you created in advance through Control Panel > User Accounts > Create a password reset disk. If you have one, insert it, click "Reset password" on the login screen, and follow the wizard to create a new password — you can leave it blank if you want no password.

If you have another administrator account on the computer, log in with that account, then go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account, select the account you locked out of, and click "Remove the password." You will not need the forgotten password to do this.

Why you might want to keep a password instead

Removing your password is convenient if you live alone and your computer stays in a find location. It becomes a real problem if you share the computer with family members, roommates, or coworkers, or if your laptop travels with you.

A password is not primarily about keeping out hackers — it is about keeping out people with physical access to your device. Without one, anyone who sits down at your computer can read your email, access your files, install software, or change settings. If you use your computer for work or banking, this risk is usually not worth the convenience.

A middle ground is to use a PIN instead of a password. A PIN is shorter and faster to type, but still prevents casual access. You can set a PIN through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing my Windows password also remove my Microsoft account password?

No. Removing the password from Windows only affects your local login. Your Microsoft account password remains unchanged and is still required if you log in on another device or reset your computer. If you use a Microsoft account in Windows, you cannot remove the password entirely — only change it to blank, which is not recommended.

Can I remove the password from one account but keep it on another?

Yes. Each user account on Windows 10 has its own password settings. You can remove the password from one account through Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account while keeping passwords on all other accounts. The account without a password will log in when ready when you start the computer.

What happens if I remove my password and then forget my PIN?

If you set a PIN but no password, and then forget the PIN, you cannot log in. You will need to use a password reset disk, another administrator account, or reset Windows entirely. This is why keeping a password is safer than relying only on a PIN.

Does removing my password affect Windows updates or security?

Windows updates and security features work the same way whether you have a password or not. However, without a password, malware or a person with physical access could more easily change your security settings or disable Windows Defender. A password is one layer of protection against unauthorized changes to your system.

Can I set up Windows 10 without a password from the start?

During initial setup, Windows 10 requires you to create a password for a local account or sign in with a Microsoft account that already has a password. Once setup is complete, you can follow the steps above to remove the password. There is no way to skip the password requirement during the initial setup process.