The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you know your current password, you can change it to something new or remove it entirely through Settings. If you've forgotten it, your options depend on whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account, and whether you set up a password reset disk or recovery email beforehand.

The method that works fastest is the one that matches what you actually have access to right now. A Microsoft account tied to your email is easier to recover than a local account with no backup method, because Microsoft can verify you through email or phone. A local account with no recovery options may require a full reset of Windows.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Password to change it or remove it entirely.
  • If you forgot a Microsoft account password, use the account recovery page at account.microsoft.com to reset it through email or phone verification.
  • If you forgot a local account password and have no recovery method, you will need to reset Windows using installation media or a recovery partition.
  • A password reset disk created before you forgot the password can unlock a local account without erasing your files.
  • Some third-party tools claim to remove passwords, but they require physical access to the computer and may not work on newer Windows versions with security features enabled.

Removing your password when you still know it

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts on the left side, then select Your info at the top.

Click Password, then 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 the New password field blank and click Next again. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Finish, and your password is removed. You can now log in by clicking your account name without entering anything.

If you want to change your password instead of removing it, follow the same steps but enter a new password in the New password field. You will need to enter it again in the Confirm password field.

Resetting a Microsoft account password you've forgotten

Go to account.microsoft.com/account/reset-password in any web browser on any device. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account.

Microsoft will ask how you want to verify your identity. If you have access to the email address on file, select that option and check your inbox for a verification code. If you have access to the phone number on file, select that option and Microsoft will send a code by text or call. Enter the code on the website.

Once verified, you can set a new password. Go back to your Windows computer and sign in with your Microsoft account using the new password. Your files and settings will remain unchanged.

Recovering a local account password with a reset disk

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it to unlock your account without losing any files. Insert the reset disk (usually a USB drive) into your computer.

On the Windows login screen, enter any password and press Enter. Windows will say the password is incorrect. Click Reset password below the password field. A wizard will open asking you to select the reset disk. Choose the USB drive and click Next. The wizard will show you a list of passwords you can use — select one and click Next, then Finish. You can now log in with that password.

After you log in, go back to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Password and change your password to something you will remember, or remove it if you prefer.

Resetting Windows when you have no recovery method

If you forgot your local account password and have no reset disk or recovery email, you will need to reset Windows. This erases everything on the drive and reinstalls Windows, so use this only if you have no other option and have backed up any files you need.

You will need a Windows installation USB drive or DVD. If you do not have one, use another computer to create it. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows and read the Windows installation media tool. Follow the prompts to create installation media on a USB drive.

Insert the installation media into the locked computer and restart it. Press a key when you see "Press any key to boot from" — the exact key varies by computer but is usually F12, Del, or Esc. Select the USB drive or DVD from the boot menu. When the Windows setup screen appears, click Repair your computer at the bottom left, then Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. Choose Remove everything. Windows will reinstall and you will be able to create a new account with a new password.

Third-party password removal tools and their limits

Some tools claim to remove Windows passwords without reinstalling Windows. These tools work by replacing or bypassing the login file, and they do exist, but they have real limitations. Most require you to boot from a USB drive or CD, which means you need physical access to the computer and the ability to change the boot order in BIOS or UEFI.

Newer versions of Windows with security features like find Boot and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) enabled are much harder to bypass with these tools. If your computer has these features turned on — which is common on computers made after 2015 — the tools may not work at all.

If you do use a third-party tool, read it only from the official website of the tool's creator, not from a random read site. Malware often disguises itself as a password recovery tool.

Preventing password lockouts in the future

Create a password reset disk now, before you forget your password. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Password > Change your password. On the first screen, click Create a password reset disk on the left side. Follow the prompts to save it to a USB drive. Store the drive somewhere safe but accessible.

If you use a Microsoft account, make sure your recovery email and phone number are current. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and select Security. Under Recovery options, add or update your email and phone number. This way, if you forget your password, you can reset it from any device without needing to reinstall Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove my password without knowing the current one?

Not through Settings. If you know your password, you can remove it in Settings > Accounts > Your info > Password. If you have forgotten it, you need either a password reset disk, a recovery email for a Microsoft account, or you must reset Windows entirely.

Will removing my password affect my files or programs?

No. Removing your password only changes how you log in — your files, programs, and settings stay exactly as they are. You will straightforward click your account name to log in instead of entering a password.

What if I reset my password but still can't log in?

Make sure you are using the exact password you just set, including capital letters and special characters. If you reset a Microsoft account password, wait a few minutes for the change to sync to your computer before trying again. If a local account password is not working, try the password reset disk method.

Is it safe to have no password on my Windows account?

It depends on your situation. If your computer is in a find location and only you use it, no password is less convenient but not necessarily unsafe. If your computer is in a shared space or you carry it around, a password protects your files if someone else gains physical access.

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

Yes. Each account on Windows has its own password settings. Log into the account you want to change, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Password, and remove it. Other accounts will keep their passwords.