The fastest way depends on whether you remember any password at all

If you can log in as a standard user on the same computer, you can reset the admin password from Settings without any special tools. If you cannot log in at all, you will need either a password reset disk you created earlier, a Microsoft or Apple account linked to the admin account, or physical access to reinstall the operating system. The method that works fastest is the one you prepared for before you locked yourself out.

Start by checking what you actually have access to right now: another user account on the machine, the email address tied to the admin account, or a password reset disk. Each one opens a different path forward.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, a standard user account can reset the admin password through Settings if you know the admin account name, without needing the old password.
  • On Mac, you need either the admin account's Apple ID and password, or physical access to reinstall the operating system.
  • A password reset disk created before you forgot the password is the fastest recovery method on both systems.
  • If you have no other user account and no reset disk, you will need to reinstall the operating system, which erases the drive.

Windows: resetting from another user account

If you can log in as a different user on the same Windows computer, you can change the admin password without knowing the old one. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Other people. Find the admin account name in the list and click it. Choose Change password, then select I forgot my password. Windows will walk you through creating a new password.

This method works only if the admin account is a local account (not a Microsoft account). If it is tied to a Microsoft email address, you will need that email address and access to it instead — see the next section.

Windows: using a Microsoft account to reset

If the admin account is connected to a Microsoft email address, go to the Windows sign-in screen and select I forgot my password. Enter the email address, then follow the prompts to verify your identity. Microsoft will send a code to that email or a recovery email you set up earlier. Enter the code, create a new password, and sign in.

You need access to the email inbox — if you no longer have access to that email account, you will need to use a password reset disk or reinstall Windows. If you set up a recovery phone number or backup email when you created the Microsoft account, you can use those instead of the primary email.

Mac: using your Apple ID

On a Mac, if you forgot the admin password, restart the computer and hold Command + Q at the login screen. This opens the password reset utility. Enter the Apple ID associated with the admin account and your Apple ID password. You will be prompted to create a new admin password.

If you do not remember the Apple ID password either, go to iforgot.apple.com on another device, enter the Apple ID email address, and follow Apple's account recovery process. You may need to answer security questions or wait for a verification code sent to a trusted phone number. Once you regain access to the Apple ID, return to the Mac and complete the password reset.

Using a password reset disk on either system

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot the password, this is your fastest option on both Windows and Mac. On Windows, insert the disk at the sign-in screen, select Reset password, and follow the prompts. On Mac, restart while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then go to Utilities and select Reset Password. Select the admin account and the reset disk, then create a new password.

A reset disk is a USB drive or external drive you prepared in advance. On Windows, you create one through Settings under Accounts. On Mac, you create one through System Preferences under Users and Groups. If you never made one, this option is not available to you now.

Reinstalling the operating system as a last resort

If you have no other user account, no access to the linked email or Apple ID, and no password reset disk, you will need to reinstall Windows or macOS. This erases everything on the drive, so use this only if you have backed up your files elsewhere or if the computer is new enough that you have not stored anything important on it.

On Windows, create a bootable USB drive using the Windows Media Creation Tool on another computer, insert it, restart, and follow the installation prompts. On Mac, restart while holding Command + R, go to Utilities, select Reinstall macOS, and follow the prompts. Both processes take 30 minutes to an hour. After reinstalling, you will create a new admin account from scratch.

Preventing lockout in the future

Create a password reset disk now while you still have access. On Windows, go to Settings, Accounts, Sign-in options, and look for Password reset disk under the Recovery section. On Mac, go to System Preferences, Users and Groups, select your admin account, and click Create Password Reset Disk. Store the disk somewhere safe but accessible — a desk drawer is better than a safe deposit box you visit once a year.

If your admin account is tied to a Microsoft or Apple account, write down the email address and keep it somewhere you can find it. If you use a password manager, store your admin password there as well. These steps take five minutes and can save you hours of frustration later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset the admin password if I do not have another user account?

Not without a password reset disk or access to the linked email or Apple ID. If you have none of these, you will need to reinstall the operating system, which erases the drive. This is why creating a reset disk in advance is important.

What if I created the admin account with a Microsoft account but cannot access that email?

Go to account.microsoft.com on another device and use the account recovery process. You can verify your identity with a backup email, phone number, or security questions. Once you regain access to the Microsoft account, you can reset the Windows password.

Does reinstalling Windows or macOS delete my files?

Yes. Reinstalling erases the entire drive. Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start. If you cannot access your files because you are locked out of the admin account, you may need professional help to recover them.

How long does it take to reset an admin password?

Using another user account or a password reset disk takes five to ten minutes. Using email or Apple ID verification takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on how quickly you receive codes. Reinstalling the operating system takes 30 minutes to an hour.

Can I reset the admin password without restarting the computer?

On Windows, yes — if you have another user account, you can do it through Settings without restarting. On Mac, you need to restart and enter Recovery Mode. If you are using email or Apple ID verification, restart is required on both systems.