The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you can still log in but want to change your password, you can do that in Settings in under two minutes. If you are locked out completely, the path forward depends on whether you set up a password reset disk, linked a Microsoft or Apple account, or have access to another admin account on the same machine. Windows and Mac handle this differently, so the section for your system will tell you which route is fastest for your situation.

The key difference: Windows lets you reset through a Microsoft account or a security question if you set one up beforehand. Mac requires either an Apple ID, a recovery key you saved, or physical access to another admin account. Neither system will let you reset a password you have completely forgotten without one of these backups in place.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password but want to change it, go to Settings and look for "Change password" — this takes two minutes on either system.
  • If you are locked out on Windows, try signing in with your Microsoft account email instead of your username, or answer the security question you set up.
  • If you are locked out on Mac, you can reset through your Apple ID, a recovery key, or by using another admin account on the same computer.
  • If you have no backup method set up and cannot log in, you will need to reinstall the operating system, which erases everything on the drive.

Resetting your password on Windows when you can still log in

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click "Accounts" on the left side. Click "Sign-in options" in the menu that appears. Under "Password", click "Change". Type your current password and click "Next".

Type your new password twice — once in the first box and again in the second to confirm it matches. Add a password hint if you want (this is optional and only you will see it). Click "Next", then "Finish". You are now signed in with your new password. The next time you restart your laptop, use the new password to log in.

Resetting a forgotten Windows password using your Microsoft account

At the login screen, click "Sign-in options" at the bottom left. If you see a "Reset password" link, click it — this appears if you linked your account to a Microsoft email. You will be sent a code to that email address. Check your email on another device, copy the code, and enter it on the login screen. You can then create a new password.

If you do not see a "Reset password" link, look for a security question you set up when you created your account. Click "Answer security questions" and answer the question. If you answer correctly, you will be able to set a new password right there on the login screen.

If neither of these options appears, you have no password recovery method set up. Move to the section on reinstalling Windows below.

Resetting a forgotten Windows password using another admin account

If someone else uses the same laptop and has an admin account, they can reset your password for you. That person should log in with their own account, then open Settings and click "Accounts". Click "Other people" on the left. Find your account in the list and click it. Click "Reset password". They do not need your old password — they can set a new one directly. You can then log in with that new password.

This only works if the other person has an admin account. A standard user account cannot reset another account's password.

Resetting your password on Mac when you can still log in

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings". Click "General" on the left side, then scroll down and click "Login Items & Extensions". Scroll down further and click "Change Password". Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click "Change Password". You are done — your new password takes effect when ready.

If you do not see a "Change Password" option, your Mac may be set up differently. Try clicking the Apple menu, then "System Settings", then "General", then look for "Users & Groups" or "Accounts" — the exact name varies by Mac version.

Resetting a forgotten Mac password using your Apple ID

At the login screen, wait for the screen to show a message about too many failed attempts. Click "Reset it using your Apple ID". Enter your Apple ID email and password. You will be asked to set a new login password. Type it twice and click "Reset Password". You can then log in with your new password.

If you do not see this option, or if you do not remember your Apple ID password, you will need to use a recovery key or another method below.

Resetting a forgotten Mac password using a recovery key or another admin account

If you saved a recovery key when you set up your Mac, you can use it to reset your password. At the login screen, click "Reset it using your Apple ID" (if that option appears), then look for a link that says "Don't have access to your Apple ID?" Click it and enter your recovery key. You will then be able to set a new password.

If you have another admin account on the same Mac, that person can reset your password. They should log in with their own account, then open System Settings, click "General", and look for "Users & Groups" or "Accounts". Find your account and click it. Look for an option to reset your password — the exact wording varies by Mac version. They can set a new password without knowing your old one.

What to do if you have no recovery method and cannot log in

If you have no Microsoft account linked, no security question set up, no recovery key saved, and no other admin account on the machine, the only way forward is to reinstall your operating system. This erases everything on the drive — all files, programs, and settings. You will need an installation disk or USB drive and will have to set up the system from scratch.

For Windows, you can create an installation USB on another computer by downloading the Windows installation tool from Microsoft's website. For Mac, you can restart while holding Command and R to enter Recovery Mode, then choose "Reinstall macOS". Both processes take an hour or more. If you have important files on the drive, consider taking the laptop to a repair shop — they may be able to recover the files before reinstalling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without knowing my old one?

Yes, if you set up a recovery method beforehand — a Microsoft account, Apple ID, security question, or recovery key. If you did not set up any of these, you cannot reset the password without reinstalling the operating system.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password too?

Go to account.microsoft.com on another device and click "Can't access your account". Follow the steps to verify your identity using a phone number or backup email. Once you reset your Microsoft account password, you can use it to reset your laptop password.

How long does it take to reinstall Windows or macOS?

The read and installation usually takes one to three hours, depending on your internet speed and how old your laptop is. You will need to set up the system again afterward, which adds another 30 minutes to an hour.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No — changing or resetting your password does not touch your files. Only a full operating system reinstall erases the drive.

Can I use a password manager to avoid this in the future?

A password manager stores your passwords, but it cannot help you log in to your laptop if you forget the password to the laptop itself. The best prevention is to set up a Microsoft account or Apple ID, save a recovery key, or write your password down and store it somewhere safe.