The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you can log in as a standard user, you can reset the administrator password from Settings without needing recovery codes or a second computer. If you are locked out entirely, you will need either a password reset disk you made earlier, a Microsoft or Apple account linked to the computer, or access to another administrator account. The method that works for you depends on what access you still have and what you set up before you lost the password.

The difference between these routes matters because some take minutes and others take hours. A password reset disk or linked online account can get you back in within a few minutes. A second administrator account works almost as fast. If you have none of these, reinstalling the operating system is the only remaining option, and that erases everything on the drive.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows lets you reset an administrator password through Settings if you can log in as any other user on that computer.
  • If you are completely locked out of Windows, a password reset disk (created before you forgot the password) is the most direct recovery method.
  • Mac users can reset an administrator password using another administrator account, a Mac recovery key, or by booting into Recovery Mode and using the Reset Password utility.
  • Both Windows and Mac let you link your account to an online account (Microsoft or Apple ID) so you can reset the password from the login screen if you forget it.
  • If you have no recovery method in place, you may need to reinstall the operating system, which erases all files on the drive.

Resetting administrator password on Windows from another user account

Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Other people. Find the administrator account you need to reset and click it. Choose Reset password. Windows will ask you to answer the security questions you set up when you created the account — if you remember those answers, you can create a new password when ready.

If you do not remember the security questions, Windows will offer to send a reset link to the email address associated with your Microsoft account (if the administrator account is linked to one). Check that email inbox and click the link to create a new password. This usually takes a few minutes. If the administrator account is not linked to a Microsoft account and you do not remember the security questions, you will need to use a password reset disk or another recovery method.

Using a Windows password reset disk

A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you create in advance, before you forget the password. If you made one, plug it into the computer now. At the Windows login screen, click Reset password. Windows will walk you through connecting the reset disk and creating a new administrator password.

If you did not create a reset disk before, you cannot create one now — Windows only lets you make a reset disk when you are already logged in. This is why creating one ahead of time is worth the five minutes it takes. If you have no reset disk and no linked Microsoft account, move to the section on reinstalling Windows.

Resetting administrator password on Mac with another admin account

If you have a second administrator account on the Mac, log in with that account. Open System Settings, go to General, then Users & Groups (or just Users on newer macOS versions). Click the lock icon at the bottom left and enter the password for the account you are currently logged into. Find the administrator account you need to reset, click it, and select Reset Password. Enter the new password twice and click Reset Password.

This method works only if you have another administrator account available. If you are the only administrator and you have forgotten the password, you will need to use your Mac recovery key or Recovery Mode. The recovery key is a code Apple generates when you set up two-factor authentication on your Apple ID — if you saved it, you can use it to reset the password without needing another account.

Using Mac Recovery Mode to reset administrator password

Shut down the Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold Command + R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This boots the Mac into Recovery Mode. Once the recovery screen appears, click Utilities in the menu bar, then select Reset Password.

The Reset Password utility will show you a list of user accounts on the Mac. Select the administrator account you need to reset. You will be asked to select a disk (usually Macintosh HD) and then enter a new password. After you reset the password, restart the Mac normally and log in with the new password. This method works on any Mac and requires no recovery disk or second account.

Linking your account to Microsoft or Apple ID for future resets

Once you have regained access to your administrator account, set up account recovery so you do not face this problem again. On Windows, open Settings, go to Accounts, select your account, then choose Add a Microsoft account option. On Mac, go to System Settings, select your account name, and link it to your Apple ID.

When your account is linked to an online account, you can reset your password from the login screen by clicking I forgot my password and following the prompts. Microsoft and Apple will send a reset link to the email address associated with your online account. This is much faster than the other recovery methods and works even if you have no recovery disk or second administrator account.

What to do if you have no recovery method in place

If you have no password reset disk, no linked online account, no second administrator account, and you cannot answer your security questions, you will need to reinstall the operating system. This erases all files on the drive, so it should be your last resort. Before you start, back up any files you can still reach from another computer or external drive.

On Windows, you can create installation media on another computer by downloading the Windows installation tool from Microsoft's website and following the on-screen steps to create a bootable USB drive. On Mac, you can create a bootable installer by downloading macOS from the App Store on another Mac and using the createinstallmedia command in Terminal. After you reinstall, you will set up a new administrator account and can recover your files from a backup if you have one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset the administrator password if I only have a standard user account?

Yes, on Windows you can reset it through Settings without needing the administrator password. On Mac, you cannot — you need either another administrator account, a recovery key, or Recovery Mode access.

What if I linked my account to Microsoft or Apple ID but I forgot that password too?

You can reset your Microsoft or Apple ID password from any web browser by going to account.microsoft.com or appleid.apple.com and clicking Forgot password. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with that account.

How long does it take to reset an administrator password?

If you use a password reset disk or another administrator account, it takes a few minutes. If you use an online account recovery link, it depends on how quickly you check your email — usually a few minutes to an hour. If you need to reinstall the operating system, plan for several hours.

Will resetting the administrator password affect my files or other user accounts?

No. Resetting the password changes only that account's login credentials. Your files, programs, and other user accounts remain unchanged. Reinstalling the operating system, however, erases everything on the drive.

Can I prevent this from happening again?

Yes. Create a password reset disk on Windows (takes five minutes in Settings), link your account to Microsoft or Apple ID, or set up a second administrator account. Any of these gives you a way back in if you forget the password later.