The fastest way depends on what you remember and what system you use

If you have forgotten your laptop password, your options split into two paths: using a password recovery method built into your system, or creating a new administrator account. Windows and Mac both have built-in recovery routes that work without losing your files. The method you use depends on whether you have a recovery email set up, a phone number on file, or access to another administrator account on the same machine.

The key difference is that Windows and Mac handle password recovery differently. Windows lets you reset through a Microsoft account recovery email or phone number. Mac requires either an Apple ID, a recovery key you saved earlier, or another administrator account. Both systems preserve your files — you are not erasing the drive, just regaining access to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows lets you reset your password using a recovery email or phone number linked to your Microsoft account, which you can do from the login screen itself.
  • Mac requires your Apple ID password, a recovery key saved during setup, or another administrator account on the same machine.
  • If you have no recovery method set up, you may need to create a new administrator account using a bootable USB drive or recovery mode.
  • Both Windows and Mac preserve your files during a password reset — you keep everything in your user folder.

Resetting a Windows password using your Microsoft account

On the Windows login screen, select I forgot my password below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number linked to your Microsoft account. If you set up either of these during setup, you will receive a code to that email or phone.

Enter the code, then create a new password. Windows will let you back in when ready. This method works on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine where you logged in with a Microsoft account (not a local account). If you do not see the I forgot my password option, your account is a local account, not a Microsoft account, and you will need to use a different method.

Resetting a Mac password using your Apple ID

Restart your Mac and hold down Command + Q when you see the login window. This opens the reset password utility. Select your user account, then click Reset Password. Mac will ask you to enter your Apple ID password — the same one you use for the App Store and iCloud.

After you enter your Apple ID password, create a new login password. Your Mac will restart and you can log in with the new password. Your files remain untouched. This method works if you remember your Apple ID password. If you do not, you can reset your Apple ID password at iforgot.apple.com before attempting this step.

Using a recovery key if you saved one during setup

When you first set up your Mac, the system offered to save a recovery key — a long string of characters that looks like XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX. If you saved this key and kept it somewhere safe, you can use it to reset your password without needing your Apple ID.

At the login screen, hold Command + Q, select your account, and click Reset Password. Instead of entering your Apple ID, select Can't access your Apple ID? and enter your recovery key. You can then create a new password. If you did not save your recovery key, this method is not available to you.

Creating a new administrator account on Windows

If you do not have a recovery email or phone number set up, you can create a new administrator account using another computer and a USB drive. On another Windows machine, read the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. Follow the prompts to create a bootable USB drive with Windows installation files.

Insert the USB drive into your locked laptop and restart it. Press the key that opens the boot menu — usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on your laptop model. Select the USB drive from the menu. When Windows setup appears, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt. Type net user newadmin password /add (replacing "newadmin" and "password" with your choices), then press Enter. Restart your laptop, log in with the new account, and you can access your files.

Creating a new administrator account on Mac

If you do not have an Apple ID or recovery key, restart your Mac and hold Command + S to enter Single User Mode. At the prompt, type fsck -fy and press Enter. Wait for the check to finish, then type mount -uw / and press Enter.

Next, type dscl . -create /Users/newadmin UserShell /bin/bash (replacing "newadmin" with your chosen username). Press Enter. Then type dscl . -create /Users/newadmin RealName "New Admin" and press Enter. Finally, type dscl . -passwd /Users/newadmin password (replacing "password" with your chosen password) and press Enter. Type reboot to restart. You can now log in with the new account and access your files.

What to do if you cannot remember your recovery information

If you have no recovery email, phone number, Apple ID, recovery key, or access to another administrator account, your options narrow significantly. You can still create a new account using the methods above (bootable USB on Windows, Single User Mode on Mac), but you cannot access the password-protected account itself without that account's password.

Your files remain on the drive, but you cannot open them from the locked account. If the files are important and you cannot create a new account, you may need to take your laptop to a repair shop that can access the drive directly or help you recover the account. This is rare and usually costs money, so it is worth trying the account creation methods first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password only changes how you log in. All your files in your user folder remain exactly where they are. You will see them as soon as you log in with your new password.

Can I reset my password if I do not have internet access?

On Windows, you need internet to receive a recovery code by email or text, so you will need to connect to Wi-Fi or use a phone hotspot. On Mac, you can use a recovery key offline, but if you do not have one saved, you will need to create a new account instead.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password too?

Go to iforgot.apple.com on another device and reset your Apple ID password using your recovery email or phone number. Once you have your Apple ID password back, you can use it to reset your Mac login password.

How long does it take to reset a password?

Using a recovery email or phone number takes about five minutes. Creating a new administrator account takes longer — usually 15 to 30 minutes — because you need another computer and a USB drive.

Can I reset my password without another computer?

Yes, if you have a recovery email, phone number, Apple ID, or recovery key set up. If you have none of these, you will need another computer to create a bootable USB drive or access recovery mode tools.