The fastest way back in depends on what you remember

If you have forgotten your HP laptop password, your path back in depends on whether you remember your Microsoft account password, have a password reset disk, or can access another admin account on the machine. Most people can regain access in under an hour using one of these methods. If none of those options work, you will need to reset Windows itself, which takes longer but is still possible without losing your files.

The key is trying the simplest method first — resetting through your Microsoft account — before moving to more involved steps. Each method below is listed in order of speed and ease.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your Microsoft account password, you can reset your HP laptop password from the Windows login screen in minutes without any special tools.
  • A password reset disk created before you forgot your password will let you in when ready, but only if you still have the physical disk.
  • If you have another admin account on the laptop, you can change the forgotten password from that account without restarting.
  • If none of those work, you can reset Windows using a bootable USB drive created on another computer, though this takes 30 to 60 minutes.
  • HP support can verify ownership and walk you through recovery, but this is slower than self-service methods and may require proof of purchase.

Reset your password using your Microsoft account

At the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to enter your email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account, then send a reset link to that email or phone number. Click the link, create a new password, and return to your HP laptop to sign in with the new one.

This method works only if your HP laptop is connected to the internet and your Microsoft account email or phone number is still active. If you use a local account instead of a Microsoft account, this option will not appear on the login screen, and you will need to try a different method below.

If you do not remember your Microsoft account password either, you can reset that password at account.microsoft.com from any other device before returning to your HP laptop. Microsoft will send a verification code to your backup email or phone number.

Use a password reset disk if you created one

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, insert it into your HP laptop now. At the login screen, click "Reset password" below the password field. Windows will launch the Password Reset Wizard, which reads the disk and lets you create a new password without entering the old one.

The reset disk is a USB drive or external hard drive you created through Windows settings before the password was lost. If you did not create one, this method is not available to you. Creating a new reset disk now will not work because Windows requires you to be logged in to create one.

Change the password from another admin account

If someone else uses an admin account on the same HP laptop, they can change your password without you needing to log in. Have them sign in with their account, then open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. They will see your account listed. They should click your account, then click "Reset password" and create a new one for you without needing to know the old password.

This method requires physical access to the laptop and another person with an admin account already set up. If you are the only admin account on the machine, this will not work.

Reset Windows using a bootable USB drive

If the methods above do not work, you can reset your Windows password using a bootable USB drive created on another computer. You will need a second computer with internet access and a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space.

On the other computer, read the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool or Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (depending on which version your HP laptop runs) from Microsoft's website. Insert the USB drive, open the tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable drive. This takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Insert the USB drive into your HP laptop, restart it, and press F9 or F10 during startup to enter the boot menu (the key varies by HP model — you may see a prompt on screen). Select the USB drive from the menu. Windows will load from the USB and offer you the option to reset your password or reset Windows entirely. Choose the password reset option if available, or reset Windows if that option does not appear. Your files will remain on the laptop after a Windows reset.

Contact HP support for account recovery

HP support can help you regain access to your laptop, but they will ask you to verify ownership first. You may need to provide your serial number (found on the bottom of the laptop or in the BIOS), proof of purchase, or other identifying information. Call HP support or start a chat session on HP's website to begin the verification process.

This method is slower than the self-service options above — expect one to three business days — but it is useful if you have already tried other methods and none worked. HP cannot reset your password directly, but they can guide you through recovery steps or help you determine which method will work for your situation.

What to do if you cannot remember anything

If you do not remember your Microsoft account password, do not have a reset disk, and have no other admin account on the laptop, you still have options. You can reset your Microsoft account password from any other device by going to account.microsoft.com and clicking "Can't access your account". Microsoft will verify your identity using a backup email or phone number, then let you set a new password. Return to your HP laptop and use the new password at the login screen.

If you cannot access your Microsoft account either, a Windows password reset using a bootable USB drive (described above) is your remaining option. This does not require you to know any passwords — it resets Windows itself and lets you create a new login password from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password through Microsoft account recovery, a reset disk, or another admin account changes only your login password and leaves all your files intact. A full Windows reset using a bootable USB drive also preserves your files — Windows reinstalls but your documents, photos, and other data remain in your user folder.

What if my HP laptop is not connected to the internet?

You cannot use the Microsoft account password reset method without internet. Connect your laptop to Wi-Fi or plug in an ethernet cable if your HP model has one. If that is not possible, use a password reset disk if you have one, another admin account if available, or create a bootable USB drive on a different computer.

How do I know if I have a local account or a Microsoft account?

At the Windows login screen, look at the name shown above the password field. If it shows an email address, you have a Microsoft account. If it shows only a name without an email, you have a local account. Local accounts cannot use the "I forgot my password" link on the login screen.

Can I reset my password without restarting my HP laptop?

Yes, if you have another admin account on the laptop. That person can change your password from Settings without you needing to restart. All other methods require you to restart or access the login screen.

What if I get stuck during the Windows reset process?

If the bootable USB drive does not start, restart your HP laptop and try pressing a different key during startup — common options are F2, F9, F10, F12, or Delete, depending on your HP model. You should see a prompt on screen telling you which key to press. If you still cannot access the boot menu, contact HP support with your laptop model number.