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

If you remember your Microsoft account password, you can reset your HP laptop password from the login screen in under five minutes. If you do not remember any password, you will need a password reset disk you made earlier, or you will need to create a new local account. The method that works for you depends on what you set up before you forgot the password.

Windows stores passwords in two places: either tied to your Microsoft account (the email address you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox) or tied to a local account that exists only on that laptop. If you set up your HP with a Microsoft account, resetting is straightforward. If you set up a local account and have no reset disk, you will need to create a new account and transfer your files.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your Microsoft account password, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen and follow the prompts to reset your laptop password in minutes.
  • If you set up a local account and have no reset disk, you will need to create a new local account on your HP and move your files to it.
  • A password reset disk created before you forgot your password can reset a local account password without needing your Microsoft account.
  • Windows will not let you bypass the password entirely — you must either reset it through Microsoft, use a reset disk, or create a new account.

Resetting through your Microsoft account from the login screen

On the HP login screen, you will see your account name and a password field. Below the password field, click the link that says "I forgot my password." Windows will ask you to enter your email address — this is the Microsoft account email you used when you set up the laptop, not your HP account.

Windows will send a code to that email address or to a phone number you registered with Microsoft. Open your email or check your phone, find the code, and enter it on the laptop screen. You will then be asked to create a new password. Type a password you will remember, confirm it, and click "Next." Windows will log you in when ready with the new password.

This method works only if you still have access to the email address or phone number tied to your Microsoft account. If you no longer have access to that email or phone, you will need to contact Microsoft support through their account recovery page, which may take several days.

Using a password reset disk if you created one earlier

A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you can create in advance. If you made one before you forgot your password, insert it into your HP now. On the login screen, click "I forgot my password," and Windows will detect the reset disk automatically.

Windows will ask you to create a new password. Type the new password twice to confirm it, and click "Next." The laptop will log you in with the new password. After you log in, you can remove the reset disk.

If you did not create a reset disk before you forgot your password, this method will not work. You cannot create a reset disk after you have already forgotten the password.

Creating a new local account if you have no other option

If you do not remember your Microsoft account password and you have no reset disk, you will need to create a new local account. On the HP login screen, look for a link that says "Sign in with a local account instead" or "Create account." Click it, and Windows will walk you through creating a new account with a username and password you choose.

Once you create the new account and log in, your old account and its files will still exist on the laptop, but you will not be able to access them without the old password. You can see the old account's folder in File Explorer under C:\Users, but Windows will block you from opening files inside it.

To move your files from the old account to the new one, you have two options. The first is to use a file recovery tool like Recuva (free) or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, which can sometimes bypass the permission block. The second is to take the laptop to a repair shop — technicians have tools that can access locked accounts, though this will cost money.

What to do if Windows says your account is locked

If you see a message saying your account is locked or disabled, this usually means Windows detected suspicious login attempts and locked the account temporarily. Wait 30 minutes, then try logging in again. If the account remains locked, click "I forgot my password" and reset it through your Microsoft account.

If you see a message about a PIN instead of a password, you may have set up a PIN rather than a traditional password. Click "Sign-in options" on the login screen and look for "Password." If you see it, click it and enter your password instead of your PIN. If you forgot the PIN, click "I forgot my PIN" and reset it through your Microsoft account.

Preventing this from happening again

Once you have logged back in, create a password reset disk when ready. Press the Windows key, type "password reset disk," and click the result. Insert a USB drive and follow the prompts. Store the USB drive somewhere safe — a drawer, not your desk. If you forget your password again, you will have a way back in.

You should also write down your Microsoft account email address and store it somewhere you can find it. If you ever need to reset your password in the future, you will need to know which email address is tied to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without the email address I used to set up Windows?

No. If you no longer have access to the email address tied to your Microsoft account, you will need to contact Microsoft support through their account recovery page. They will ask you security questions to verify your identity, which may take several days. Have your HP serial number ready — you can find it on the bottom of the laptop.

What if I see a message about a work or school account?

If your HP is connected to a work or school network, your employer or school controls your password. You will need to contact your IT department or help desk to reset it. Do not try to create a new local account, as this may cause problems with network access later.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password through Microsoft or a reset disk will not delete any files. Creating a new local account will not delete your old account's files either, but you will not be able to access them until you move them to the new account or use a recovery tool.

Can I reset my password without being logged in?

Yes. All the methods described here work from the login screen before you log in. You do not need to be logged in to reset your password.

What if my HP is asking for a PIN and I forgot that too?

Click "I forgot my PIN" on the login screen. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using your Microsoft account email or phone number, then let you create a new PIN. If you do not remember your Microsoft account password either, use the "I forgot my password" option first.