The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you know your current password, you can change it to a new one in under a minute through your system settings. If you have forgotten it completely, the path is longer — you will need either a password reset disk you made earlier, a recovery email address linked to your account, or access to another administrator account on the same laptop. Windows and Mac handle this differently, so the section below matches your operating system.

The reason this matters: a forgotten password is not the same as a locked account. You are not locked out permanently. But you do need one of those three things to get back in. If you have none of them, you will need to contact the laptop manufacturer or a local technician, because the security that keeps someone else from accessing your files also keeps you from bypassing your own password without proof you own the device.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your current password, open Settings and change it to a new one in the Accounts section — this takes two minutes.
  • If you forgot your password on Windows, use another admin account on the same laptop, or a Microsoft account recovery email, or a password reset disk made before you forgot it.
  • If you forgot your password on Mac, use your Apple ID, a recovery key you saved earlier, or another admin account on the same laptop.
  • Password reset disks and recovery keys only work if you created them before you forgot your password — create one now while you still have access.
  • If you have none of these options, contact your laptop manufacturer's support line with proof of purchase.

Changing your password when you still remember it (Windows)

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts on the left side. Click Sign-in options. Under the "Password" section, click Change.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it and click Next. Then type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Reenter password" field. Add a password hint if you want (something only you would understand, like "my first dog's color"). Click Next, then Finish. You are done. Your new password takes effect when ready.

Changing your password when you still remember it (Mac)

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click General on the left, then scroll down and click Transfer or Reset. Click Reset Password. Mac will ask you to enter your current password. Type it and click Next.

Type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Verify" field. Click Reset Password. Your new password is active when ready. You can close System Settings.

Resetting a forgotten password on Windows using another admin account

If another person with an administrator account on the same laptop is present, they can reset your password without needing your old one. Have that person log in with their account. Click the Start menu and type "Settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts, then Other people. Find your account name in the list and click it. Click Reset password.

Windows will ask the other admin to create a new temporary password for you. They should type something straightforward that you can change when ready after you log in. Click Next, then Finish. You can now log in with your account using that temporary password. Once you are in, change it to something only you know by following the steps in the "Changing your password when you still remember it" section above.

Resetting a forgotten password on Windows using your Microsoft account

At the Windows login screen, click I forgot my password below the password field. Windows will ask you to enter your email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account. Type it and click Next. Windows will send a code to that email or phone number.

Check your email or text messages for the code. Type it into the field on your laptop and click Next. Windows will now let you create a new password. Type it twice and click Next. Click Finish. You can now log in with your new password.

This method only works if you set up your Windows account using a Microsoft account email address. If your account is a local account (not connected to Microsoft), this option will not appear, and you will need to use a password reset disk or another admin account instead.

Resetting a forgotten password on Mac using your Apple ID

At the Mac login screen, click If you forgot your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID (or similar text, depending on your macOS version). Mac will ask you to enter your Apple ID email address and password. Type both and click the arrow to continue.

Mac will ask you to create a new login password. Type it twice and click Reset Password. You can now log in with your new password. If you have a recovery key saved from your Apple ID account, Mac may ask you to enter it as an extra security step — check your email or Apple ID settings for this key if prompted.

Using a password reset disk (Windows only)

A password reset disk is a USB drive you create while you still have access to your account. If you made one before you forgot your password, you can use it now. Insert the USB drive into your laptop. At the login screen, click Reset password below the password field. Click Next. Windows will detect the USB drive and ask you to select it. Click it and click Next.

Windows will ask you to create a new password. Type it twice and click Next, then Finish. You can now log in with your new password. If you do not see a "Reset password" option at the login screen, you did not create a password reset disk before you forgot your password. You will need to use another method instead.

Creating a password reset disk or recovery key for the future

Now that you are back in your account, create a password reset disk (Windows) or recovery key (Mac) so you never face this problem again. On Windows, open Settings, click Accounts, click Sign-in options, scroll down to "Password", and click Create a password reset disk. Follow the steps to save it to a USB drive. Store that USB drive somewhere safe — a desk drawer, a safe, or with a trusted family member.

On Mac, click the Apple menu, select System Settings, click General, then Transfer or Reset, then Create a Recovery Key. Mac will display a long code. Write it down or take a screenshot and store it somewhere safe — not on your laptop. You will need this key if you ever forget your password again.

What to do if you have no way back in

If you have no password reset disk, no recovery key, no other admin account, and no access to a recovery email, you cannot reset your password yourself. Contact your laptop manufacturer — Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, Asus, or whoever made your device — and explain that you have forgotten your password and have no recovery method. They will ask for proof of purchase (a receipt, a credit card statement, or the serial number on the device itself).

The manufacturer can verify that you own the laptop and may be able to help you regain access. This process can take several days and may involve sending the laptop in for service. This is why creating a recovery method now, while you have access, is worth the five minutes it takes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On Windows, if your account is linked to a Microsoft account, you need access to that email address to use the password reset option. If you no longer have access to that email, you will need a password reset disk or another admin account. On Mac, you need access to your Apple ID email. If you have lost access to either, contact the manufacturer.

What if I created a password reset disk but I cannot find it?

A password reset disk only works if you have the physical USB drive. If you cannot find it, you will need to use another method — a Microsoft account recovery email on Windows, an Apple ID on Mac, or another admin account on the same laptop.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password only changes how you log in. All your files, photos, documents, and programs stay exactly where they are. You will see everything once you log in with your new password.

How long does it take to reset a password through the manufacturer?

It varies by manufacturer and how busy they are. Most can give you an answer within one business day, but the full process — including verification and potentially sending the laptop in — can take one to two weeks. This is why having a recovery method set up beforehand is much faster.

Can I use someone else's password reset disk on my account?

No. A password reset disk is tied to the specific account and laptop it was created on. It will not work on a different account or a different laptop.