The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you know your current password, you can change it to nothing in about two minutes through Settings. If you have forgotten it entirely, the path is longer — you will need either a password reset disk you made earlier, a Microsoft account recovery email, or access to another admin account on the same computer. If none of those exist, you will need to reinstall Windows, which erases everything on the drive.

The method you choose matters because some routes preserve your files and some do not. Start by figuring out which of these three situations matches yours, then follow the steps for that path.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password, open Settings, go to Accounts, and change your password to blank through the "Password" option.
  • If you forgot your password but have a Microsoft account linked to your Windows login, use the password reset option on the sign-in screen to recover access through your email.
  • If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, insert it and use the "Reset Password" option on the sign-in screen.
  • If you have another admin account on the same computer, log in as that user and reset the forgotten password through Settings > Accounts > Other people.
  • If none of these options work, reinstalling Windows is the only remaining path, but it will delete all files on your drive unless you back them up first.

Removing a password you still remember

Click the Start button and type "Settings" into the search box, then open Settings. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Sign-in options.

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. The next time you restart your computer, you will not be asked for a password.

This method works only if you can log in to your account right now. If you are already locked out, move to one of the other sections below.

Using a Microsoft account recovery email

If your Windows login is connected to a Microsoft account (you sign in with an email address rather than a username), you can reset your password from the sign-in screen without logging in first. On the sign-in screen where you normally type your password, click I forgot my password.

Windows will ask you to verify your identity. Choose the recovery email address associated with your Microsoft account. Microsoft will send a code to that email. Check your inbox, copy the code, and paste it into the box on the sign-in screen. You will then be able to create a new password and log in.

This path requires that you still have access to the email address you used to set up your Microsoft account. If that email account no longer exists or you cannot access it, this method will not work.

Using a password reset disk

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it to regain access without reinstalling Windows. Insert the disk into your computer and restart it. On the sign-in screen, click Reset password.

Windows will open a wizard that asks you to select the reset disk drive. Choose the drive where your disk is inserted, then click Next. The wizard will guide you through creating a new password. Once you finish, you can log in with the new password you just created.

Password reset disks are small files you can also save to a USB drive instead of a physical disk. If you have one saved anywhere, this method will work. If you never created one, you cannot use this path.

Resetting the password from another admin account

If another person has an admin account on the same computer, they can reset your password without needing your old one. Have that person log in to their account. Then open Settings, go to Accounts, and select Other people.

Find your account in the list and click it. Click Reset password. Windows will ask the other admin to create a new password for your account. Once they finish, you can log in using that new password. You can then change it to something only you know by following the steps in the first section above.

This method requires that the other person has admin rights on the computer. If they have a standard user account, they will not see the reset option.

Reinstalling Windows when nothing else works

If you cannot remember your password, do not have a reset disk, cannot access your recovery email, and have no other admin account on the computer, reinstalling Windows is the only remaining option. This process erases all files on your drive, so back up anything you want to keep before you start.

You will need another computer to read Windows and create installation media on a USB drive. Go to Microsoft's Windows read page, select your Windows version, and follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive. Insert that drive into the locked computer, restart it, and boot from the USB drive. Follow the Windows installation wizard, and when it asks where to install Windows, select your main drive. Windows will format the drive and install fresh.

After installation completes, you can set up a new account with no password, or with a password you choose. Any files that were on the drive before will be gone. This is a last resort, not a first choice.

What happens to your files when you remove the password

If you use any of the first four methods above, your files stay on your computer and remain accessible. Removing the password does not delete anything — it only changes how you log in. The next time you restart, you will boot directly to your desktop without typing anything.

If you reinstall Windows, everything on the drive is erased. This includes documents, photos, programs, and settings. The only way to keep your files is to back them up to an external drive or cloud storage before you start the reinstall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove my password without restarting the computer?

Yes. If you can log in, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, click Change under Password, leave both fields blank, and click Next and Finish. The change takes effect the next time you restart, but you can make the change right now.

What if I do not remember my Microsoft account email password either?

You will need to recover your Microsoft account first. Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account." Follow Microsoft's recovery steps, which may include answering security questions or verifying your phone number. Once you regain access to your email, you can use the password reset method described above.

Will removing my password make my computer less find?

Yes. A password protects your files if someone else gains physical access to your computer. Without one, anyone who sits down at your desk can see everything. Consider removing the password only if you live alone or trust everyone with access to your computer.

Can I use a password reset disk from a different computer?

No. A password reset disk is tied to the specific account on the specific computer where it was created. A disk made for one account will not work for a different account or a different computer.

What if Windows asks me to verify my identity and I cannot?

If you cannot access your recovery email, do not have a reset disk, and have no other admin account, reinstalling Windows is your only path forward. Make sure you have backed up any files you want to keep before you start the reinstall process.