The fastest way to remove your Windows 10 password

If you are the account owner and remember your current password, the quickest route is to go through Settings. Open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"), select Accounts, then Sign-in options on the left. Under "Password", click Change, enter your current password when prompted, then leave the new password field blank and click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Finish — and your password is removed.

This method works only if you can sign in to your account right now. If you have forgotten your password and cannot log in, you will need to use a different approach, which is covered in the sections below.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password, you can remove it in Settings by going to Accounts, then Sign-in options, then Password, and leaving the new password field blank.
  • If you have forgotten your password, you can use another administrator account on the same computer to reset it through Settings or Local Users and Groups.
  • If no other administrator account exists, you can create a password reset disk on another computer and use it to unlock your account.
  • Removing your password means anyone with physical access to your computer can sign in without entering anything.

Removing the password if you have another administrator account

If you have a second administrator account on the same computer and can sign in to it, you can reset the forgotten password from there. Sign in to the other account, then open Settings and go to Accounts. Select Other people on the left, find the account you want to change, click it, then click Change password. You will be asked for the current password — leave it blank and click Next, then Finish.

This removes the password from that account without needing to know what it was. The account owner can then sign in with no password required.

Using Local Users and Groups if Settings does not show the option

On some Windows 10 versions (usually Home edition), the "Other people" section in Settings does not let you change passwords. In that case, you can use Local Users and Groups instead. Press the Windows key and type "lusrmgr.msc", then press Enter. You may see a User Account Control prompt — click Yes.

In the window that opens, click Users on the left. Find the account you want to change in the list on the right, right-click it, and select Set Password. A dialog will appear asking you to confirm — click Proceed. Leave both password fields blank and click OK. The password is now removed.

Local Users and Groups is not available in Windows 10 Home edition. If you see an error when you try to open it, you are using Home edition and will need to use the Settings method or the password reset disk method instead.

Creating and using a password reset disk

A password reset disk is a USB drive or external drive that you create on a computer where you can still sign in. Once created, you can use it on any computer running Windows 10 to reset a forgotten password. You will need a USB drive and access to another computer with Windows 10 installed.

On the computer where you can sign in, plug in the USB drive. Press the Windows key and type "password reset disk", then click Create a password reset disk. The wizard will open. Click Next, select your USB drive from the list, click Next again, enter your current password, click Next, then Finish. The disk is now ready.

On the computer where you are locked out, go to the sign-in screen. Click Reset password below the password field (this link only appears if a reset disk exists on a connected USB drive). Plug in your reset disk and follow the wizard. You can leave the new password blank to remove the password entirely, or set a new one if you prefer.

What happens after you remove the password

Once your password is gone, your account will sign in automatically when you turn on the computer or wake it from sleep. You will not see a sign-in screen. This is convenient if you are the only person using the computer, but it means anyone with physical access can turn on the machine and use your account without any barrier.

If you share the computer with others or keep sensitive information on it, consider leaving a password in place or using Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint) instead, which is faster than typing but still protects your account. You can set up Windows Hello in Settings under Accounts, then Sign-in options, then Windows Hello Face or Windows Hello Fingerprint.

Troubleshooting if the password still works after you remove it

Sometimes Windows caches your old password and continues to accept it for a short time after removal. If you can still sign in with your old password, wait a few minutes and try again. If the old password still works after an hour, the removal did not complete — go back to Settings and repeat the steps to may support you left the new password field completely blank.

If you removed the password through Local Users and Groups and it still works, restart your computer. Local Users and Groups changes sometimes require a restart to take effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the password if I do not remember it and have no other administrator account?

Yes, but only if you have access to another Windows 10 computer. You can create a password reset disk on that computer and use it to reset your forgotten password. If you have no access to another Windows 10 computer, you will need to contact Microsoft support or take the computer to a technician.

Will removing my password affect my Microsoft account or cloud files?

No. Removing your Windows 10 login password does not change your Microsoft account password or affect OneDrive, email, or any cloud services. Your local sign-in and your Microsoft account are separate. If you want to change your Microsoft account password, you do that on the Microsoft website, not in Windows.

What if I only see a PIN instead of a password option?

A PIN is a separate sign-in method from a password. If you want to remove the PIN, go to Settings, Accounts, Sign-in options, find PIN (Windows Hello), click it, and select Remove. If you want to remove both the PIN and any password, remove the PIN first, then follow the password removal steps.

Can I remove the password from a guest account?

Guest accounts do not have passwords — they are designed to let anyone sign in without credentials. If you want a temporary account that does not require a password, the guest account is already set up that way. If you want to create a regular account without a password, follow the steps in this guide to create a new account and then remove its password.