The fastest way depends on whether you remember any password at all
If you can log into your HP computer with any account — even a Microsoft account you set up years ago — you can reset your local password from Settings without leaving your desk. If you cannot log in at all, you will need to use your Microsoft account recovery email, a password reset disk you made earlier, or Windows recovery options. The method that works depends on what you set up before you got locked out.
Start by trying the account you think you used. If that fails, look for other user accounts on the login screen — sometimes people have multiple accounts and forget which one they use regularly. If you see only one account and cannot remember the password, move to the recovery methods below.
Key Takeaways
- If you can log in with any account on the computer, open Settings, go to Accounts, and choose "Password" to reset your local password in minutes.
- If you cannot log in at all, use your Microsoft account recovery email to reset the password online before you touch the computer.
- A password reset disk created before you forgot the password will let you reset it from the login screen without needing email or recovery options.
- If none of those work, Windows recovery mode lets you create a new local account, though you will lose access to files encrypted with your old password.
Resetting your password if you can still log in
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click "Accounts" on the left side of the window.
Click "Password" in the left menu. You will see a button that says "Change". Click it. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first — type it in and click "Next". Then type your new password twice, add a password hint if you want one, and click "Next" to finish.
Your new password takes effect when ready. Write it down somewhere safe before you close Settings, because you will need it the next time you log in.
Using your Microsoft account to reset a forgotten password
If you cannot log into your HP computer, but you remember the email address you used to set up your Microsoft account, you can reset the password online without touching the computer. Go to account.microsoft.com on any other device — a phone, tablet, or another computer.
Click "Sign in" and enter your Microsoft email address. When it asks for your password, click "Forgot my password" instead of typing anything. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your recovery email address or phone number. Check that email or text message, enter the code, and create a new password.
Once you have set a new Microsoft password online, go back to your HP computer and log in with that new password. If your HP account is linked to your Microsoft account, this will work when ready. If you set up a local account instead, this method will not work — move to the password reset disk method or Windows recovery mode below.
Using a password reset disk if you made one earlier
A password reset disk is a USB drive you create before you forget your password. If you made one, plug it into your HP computer now.
On the login screen, enter any password (it does not have to be correct). When Windows tells you the password is wrong, click "Reset password" below the password box. A wizard will open and ask you to choose the USB drive with your reset disk. Select it and click "Next".
The wizard will ask you to create a new password. Type it in twice, add a hint if you want, and click "Next". Your password is now reset. Log in with the new password and you are done.
If you do not see a "Reset password" link on the login screen, you did not create a reset disk earlier, or the disk is not being recognized. Try the Microsoft account method above or move to Windows recovery mode.
Creating a new account using Windows recovery mode
If you cannot log in and do not have a reset disk or access to your Microsoft account recovery email, you can use Windows recovery mode to create a brand new local account. This will let you log in, but you will not be able to access files that were encrypted with your old password.
Restart your HP computer. As soon as you see the HP logo or the Windows logo, hold down the Shift key and press the power button to turn it off. Do this three times in a row — restart, hold Shift and power off, restart, hold Shift and power off, restart, hold Shift and power off. On the third restart, Windows will boot into recovery mode instead of the normal login screen.
Click "Troubleshoot", then "Reset this PC". Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Keep my files" — this will let you see your old files even though you cannot open the encrypted ones. Windows will reinstall itself and ask you to create a new account. Set up a new local account with a password you will remember.
When you log in with the new account, your old files will still be there in the old user folder, but you may not be able to open them. This method is slower and more disruptive than the others, so use it only if the password reset disk and Microsoft account methods do not work.
Preventing this from happening again
Create a password reset disk now, while you remember your password. Open Settings, go to "Accounts", click "Password", and look for "Create a password reset disk" in the left menu. Plug in a USB drive and follow the steps. Store the drive somewhere you will remember — a drawer in your desk, not a random box.
If you use a Microsoft account, make sure your recovery email and phone number are current. Open account.microsoft.com, click "Security", and check that the email and phone number listed are ones you still use. If you have changed email addresses or phone numbers, update them now.
Write your passwords down in a physical notebook or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password that you can access from another device. Do not store passwords in a text file on the computer itself — if you cannot log in, you cannot read the file.
What to do if none of these methods work
If you cannot use any of the methods above, your HP computer may have custom security settings that prevent password resets. This sometimes happens on computers managed by a workplace or school. Contact your IT department or HP support — they may be able to help you regain access.
If this is a personal computer and you have no other options, you can take it to a local computer repair shop. They have tools that can reset Windows, though the process usually takes a few hours and may cost money. Before you do that, make sure you have tried the Microsoft account recovery method — that is free and works from any device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my password without knowing my current password?
Yes, if you have a password reset disk or access to your Microsoft account recovery email. Both let you set a new password without entering the old one. If you have neither, Windows recovery mode will let you create a new account, though you will lose access to encrypted files from the old account.
What if I do not remember my Microsoft email address?
Look at your HP computer's login screen — it usually shows the email address associated with your account. If you see a local account name instead of an email, you set up a local account, not a Microsoft account, and the Microsoft recovery method will not work. Try the password reset disk or Windows recovery mode instead.
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Resetting your password through Settings, a reset disk, or Microsoft account recovery will not touch your files. Using Windows recovery mode to create a new account will keep your files, but you may not be able to open ones that were encrypted with your old password.
How long does it take to reset my password?
If you use Settings or a password reset disk, it takes a few minutes. If you use Microsoft account recovery email, it takes as long as it takes to check your email — usually a few minutes. Windows recovery mode takes 20 to 40 minutes because Windows has to reinstall parts of itself.
Can I reset my password if my HP computer is not connected to the internet?
Yes, if you use a password reset disk or Windows recovery mode. The Microsoft account method requires internet access. If your computer is offline and you do not have a reset disk, connect it to the internet or use another device to reset your Microsoft password, then log in with the new password.