The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you know your password but want to change it to something new, you can do that in Settings in under a minute. If you've forgotten it completely and can't log in, the path is longer — you'll need either a password reset disk you made earlier, a recovery email address you set up, or access to another admin account on the same computer. The method that works for you depends on what you prepared before you got locked out.

Windows and Mac handle password resets differently, so the steps below are split by system. Start with whichever one you use, and stop at the first method that matches what you have available.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your current password, you can change it through Settings on Windows or System Preferences on Mac in about one minute.
  • If you're locked out, a password reset disk (created before you forgot the password) is the fastest recovery method on Windows.
  • On Windows, a recovery email address or phone number linked to your Microsoft account lets you reset from another device.
  • On Mac, you can reset a forgotten password using your Apple ID, another admin account, or Recovery Mode if neither of those works.
  • If you have no recovery method set up and can't log in, you may need to contact the computer manufacturer or take the device to a repair shop.

Changing your password when you still know it (Windows)

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then press Enter. Click "Accounts" in the left sidebar, then click "Sign-in options." Under the "Password" section, click "Change." You'll be asked to enter your current password first — type it and click "Next."

Now create your new password. Type it in the first box, type it again in the second box to confirm, and add a password hint if you want one (this hint will be visible to anyone at the login screen, so don't make it your actual password). Click "Next," then "Finish." You're done — your new password takes effect when ready.

Changing your password when you still know it (Mac)

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on newer Macs). Click "Users & Groups" or "General," then click the lock icon in the bottom-left and enter your current password to unlock the settings. Select your user account from the list on the left, then click "Change Password."

Type your current password in the first box, then type your new password twice in the boxes below. Add an optional password hint, then click "Change Password." The change takes effect right away.

Resetting a forgotten password on Windows using a reset disk

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, this is your fastest option. Insert the disk into the computer, then at the login screen click "Reset password" (this link appears below the password field after you've tried to log in and failed). Windows will walk you through a short wizard that reads the reset disk and lets you create a new password without knowing the old one.

If you don't have a reset disk, move to the next section. If you do have one but it's not working, try a different USB port or restart the computer with the disk already inserted before you see the login screen.

Resetting a forgotten password on Windows using your Microsoft account

At the login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number linked to your Microsoft account. You'll receive a code on that email or phone — enter the code, then create a new password.

This method only works if you set up a recovery email or phone number before you forgot your password. If you didn't, or if you no longer have access to that email or phone, you'll need to use another method. If you have another admin account on the same computer, log in with that account and reset your password through Settings (see the section "Resetting a forgotten password using another admin account on the same computer" below).

Resetting a forgotten password on Mac using your Apple ID

At the login screen, click the question mark icon next to your username, or wait for the login screen to show a hint after a few failed attempts. You'll see an option to reset your password using your Apple ID. Click it, then enter your Apple ID and password. Mac will let you create a new password for your user account.

If this option doesn't appear, your account may not be linked to an Apple ID. Try the next method instead.

Resetting a forgotten password using another admin account on the same computer

If someone else has an admin account on the same Mac or Windows computer, they can reset your password without knowing it. On Windows, log in with the other admin account, open Settings, go to "Accounts," click "Other people," find your account, and click "Reset password." You won't need the old password. On Mac, log in with the other admin account, open System Preferences, click "Users & Groups," select your account, and click "Reset Password."

This only works if the other person's account has admin rights. If you're not sure whether an account is an admin account, try the reset process — the system will tell you if the account doesn't have permission.

Resetting a forgotten password on Mac using Recovery Mode

If you can't use your Apple ID and there's no other admin account, you can reset your password through Recovery Mode. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R when ready after you hear the startup sound. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. Once Recovery Mode loads, click "Utilities" in the menu bar, then "Terminal."

In the Terminal window, type resetpassword and press Enter. A password reset window will open — select your user account from the dropdown, enter a new password twice, and click "Save." Restart your Mac normally. This method works on almost all Macs, but the exact steps vary slightly depending on your macOS version, so if the menu bar doesn't show "Utilities," restart and try again, holding the keys longer before the startup sound ends.

What to do if none of these methods work

If you have no recovery email, no reset disk, no other admin account, and Recovery Mode doesn't work, you've reached the limit of what you can do on your own. Contact the computer manufacturer's support line with proof of ownership — they may be able to help you reset the password remotely or walk you through additional recovery steps specific to your model.

If the manufacturer can't help, a local computer repair shop can reset your password, though this usually costs money and may require leaving the computer with them for a few hours. Some shops can do it while you wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without restarting my computer?

Yes, if you remember your current password. Use the Settings method in the first two sections — it takes about a minute and doesn't require a restart. If you've forgotten your password, most recovery methods do require a restart or a different device.

What's the difference between a password reset disk and a recovery email?

A reset disk is a physical USB drive you create ahead of time and keep safe. A recovery email is an email address you link to your account in advance. Both let you reset a forgotten password, but a reset disk works only on the computer where you created it, while a recovery email works from any device with internet access.

If I reset my password, will I lose my files?

No. Resetting your password only changes how you log in — it doesn't touch your documents, photos, or any other files on the computer. Everything stays where it is.

Can I reset someone else's password without their permission?

Only if you have an admin account on the same computer. If you do, you can reset their password, but they'll know it happened because they won't be able to log in with their old password. On shared computers, this is sometimes necessary, but it's worth telling the person what you did.

Why does my recovery email not work for password reset?

The email address may not be linked to your account, or Microsoft or Apple may not recognize it as valid. Check that you're using the exact email address you set up during account creation. If you're still stuck, try another recovery method, or contact the manufacturer's support line.