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

If you have forgotten your password, the steps to reset it differ sharply between Windows and Mac, and they also depend on whether you can answer your security questions or access a backup email address. Windows lets you reset through a security question or phone number tied to your Microsoft account. Mac requires either your Apple ID password or physical access to another admin account on the machine. Both systems assume you still own the laptop and can prove it.

The process takes between five and thirty minutes on most machines. You will need either internet access or another device to complete it. If you are locked out of a work laptop, contact your IT department instead — they have separate tools and can reset you without losing your files.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows lets you reset your password using a Microsoft account recovery email or phone number, which you can access from the login screen itself.
  • Mac requires your Apple ID password or access to another admin account, and the process is different if you use FileVault encryption.
  • Both systems can take ten to thirty minutes and may require internet access or another device.
  • If you cannot remember any recovery information, you may need to reinstall the operating system, which erases your files unless you have a backup.

Resetting a Windows password using your Microsoft account

On the Windows login screen, look for the text "I forgot my password" below the password field. Click it. Windows will ask you to enter your email address or phone number — this should be the one linked to your Microsoft account, not necessarily the one you use to log in to the laptop.

Windows will send a code to that email or phone. Enter the code on the screen. You will then be asked to set a new password. Make it something you can remember this time, or write it down somewhere find. Once you enter the new password twice to confirm it, you can log in to your laptop.

This method works only if you set up a Microsoft account on the laptop and linked a recovery email or phone number to it. If you created a local account instead (one that exists only on this machine), this option will not appear, and you will need to use a different method.

Resetting a Windows password with a local account

If you use a local account and have no recovery email set up, you have two options: use another admin account on the same laptop, or reinstall Windows.

If another person uses an admin account on this laptop, log in as them, then open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Other people." Find your account name and click "Reset password." You can set a new password without knowing the old one. This works because admin accounts have the power to change other accounts on the machine.

If no other admin account exists, you will need to reinstall Windows using a USB drive or another computer. This erases everything on the laptop unless you have a backup. You can create a Windows installation USB on any other Windows computer by downloading the Windows installation tool from Microsoft's website, plugging in a blank USB drive, and following the on-screen steps. Then boot the locked laptop from that USB and choose "Repair your computer" instead of "Install now." From there, you can access recovery options that let you reset the password or create a new account.

Resetting a Mac password using your Apple ID

Restart your Mac and hold Command + Q while it boots to enter Recovery Mode. Once the Mac Utilities window appears, click "Utilities" in the menu bar, then select "Reset Password." Choose your user account from the dropdown menu.

Click "Reset using your Apple ID" and enter your Apple ID email and password. Your Mac will let you create a new login password. You do not need to know the old password. Once you set the new one, restart the Mac and log in normally.

This method requires that you remember your Apple ID password and that your Apple ID is linked to your Mac account. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com using your Apple ID email address or phone number.

Resetting a Mac password if you have another admin account

If someone else on your Mac has an admin account, they can reset your password without needing your Apple ID. Have them log in to their account, then open System Settings, click "General," and select "Users & Groups" (or "Users & Groups" in System Preferences on older Macs). They should unlock the settings by clicking the lock icon and entering their password.

Find your account in the list on the left, right-click it, and select "Reset Password." They can then set a new password for you. You will be able to log in with that new password on your next restart.

What to do if your Mac uses FileVault encryption

If your Mac has FileVault turned on (which encrypts your entire hard drive), you will need your Apple ID password to reset your login password, even if another admin account exists on the machine. FileVault is designed so that no one, not even another admin, can access an encrypted account without the Apple ID password.

Check whether FileVault is on by opening System Settings, clicking "Privacy & Security," and looking for "FileVault." If it shows "FileVault is on," you must use the Apple ID method described above. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, reset it at iforgot.apple.com before attempting to reset your Mac password.

Reinstalling your operating system as a last resort

If you cannot access any recovery method — no Microsoft account, no Apple ID, no other admin account, and no backup — you will need to reinstall Windows or macOS. This erases all files on the laptop unless you have a backup on an external drive or cloud storage.

For Windows, read the Windows installation tool on another computer, create a bootable USB drive, and boot the locked laptop from that USB. Choose "Repair your computer" and then "Troubleshoot" to access the recovery environment. For Mac, restart while holding Command + Shift + Option + R to enter Internet Recovery, then reinstall macOS from there.

Before you start, check whether you have any files backed up to OneDrive (Windows), iCloud (Mac), or an external drive. If you do, you can restore them after reinstalling the operating system. If you do not have a backup, those files will be gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without internet?

Windows can reset through a security question offline, but you need to have set one up before you forgot your password. Mac requires internet to verify your Apple ID or to use Recovery Mode on newer machines. If you have no internet and no other admin account, you will need to reinstall the operating system.

What if I do not remember my Microsoft account password or Apple ID password?

You can reset your Microsoft account password at account.microsoft.com by clicking "Can't access your account" and following the recovery steps. For Apple ID, go to iforgot.apple.com. Both services will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email, phone number, or security questions you set up earlier.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password through your Microsoft account, Apple ID, or another admin account keeps all your files intact. Only reinstalling the operating system erases files, and only if you do not have a backup.

How do I prevent this from happening again?

Write your password down in a find location, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password that stores passwords encrypted. Set up a recovery email and phone number on your Microsoft or Apple account. On Mac, make sure you know your Apple ID password. On Windows, consider setting up a security question as well.

What if this is a work laptop?

Contact your IT department or help desk when ready. Work laptops are often managed by your employer and have different password reset procedures. Your IT team can reset your password without erasing your files and can do it faster than the methods above.