What you can actually do when you forget your laptop password
You have three realistic paths: use a password manager if you saved it there, reset through your operating system's built-in recovery tools, or create a new local account if you're on Windows. The fastest route depends on whether you remember any other credentials — your email address, a phone number linked to the account, or answers to security questions you set up before.
The bad news: there is no universal "retrieve password" button. The good news: the operating system itself gives you legitimate ways back in without paying for recovery software or calling a technician. What works depends on whether you use Windows or macOS, and whether your account is linked to Microsoft or Apple.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can reset a forgotten password through the login screen itself if they have access to the email or phone number attached to their Microsoft account.
- If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass, your saved passwords are stored there — but you need to remember the master password to access them.
- macOS users can reset a password using Apple ID or a recovery key if they set one up before being locked out.
- Creating a new local account on Windows bypasses the forgotten password entirely, though you will lose access to files in the old account until you regain it.
- If you cannot remember any linked email, phone, or security answers, you will need to contact the device manufacturer or use a local technician.
Using a password manager to find your saved password
If you use Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass, or another password manager, your laptop password may be stored there. Open the password manager on another device — a phone, tablet, or different computer — and search for entries labeled "laptop", "computer", or the name of your device.
The catch: you need to remember the master password to the password manager itself. If you have that, you can retrieve the laptop password in seconds. If you do not, you are back to the reset methods below. Some password managers offer account recovery options if you have access to the email address you used to create the account, but this takes days rather than minutes.
Write down the password you find, then go to your locked laptop and enter it at the login screen. If it does not work, the password may have been changed since you saved it, or the entry may be for a different account.
Windows: resetting through the login screen
On the Windows login screen, look for the text "I forgot my password" below the password field. Click it. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using either the email address or phone number linked to your Microsoft account.
If you have access to that email or phone, Windows will send you a code. Enter the code on the login screen, then create a new password. You will be logged in when ready. This works only if your Windows account is connected to a Microsoft account — if you use a local account with no email attached, this option will not appear.
If you do not have access to the email or phone number, or if you do not remember which one you used, you will need to try the local account creation method below.
Windows: creating a new local account to regain access
If the "I forgot my password" option does not work, you can create a brand new local account on the same laptop. You will need another device with internet access and a USB drive or external hard drive.
On the other device, read the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. Follow the prompts to create a bootable USB drive with Windows installation files. Plug this USB drive into your locked laptop, restart it, and boot from the USB (you may need to press F12, F2, Esc, or Del during startup — the key varies by manufacturer). Once Windows setup loads, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt. Type the commands to create a new local account, then restart the laptop and log in with the new account.
This method is technical and straightforward to get wrong. If you are not comfortable with command-line tools, a local computer repair shop can do this in under an hour for a service fee.
macOS: using Apple ID or recovery key
On the macOS login screen, if you have forgotten your password, click the question mark icon or wait for the login screen to show password hints. Then look for "If you forgot your password" or similar text.
macOS will ask you to enter your Apple ID and password. If you remember your Apple ID credentials, you can use them to reset your laptop password when ready. If you set up a recovery key before being locked out, you can use that instead — recovery keys are long alphanumeric codes Apple generates during account setup.
If you do not have your Apple ID password or recovery key, you will need to use Apple's account recovery process, which involves verifying your identity through trusted devices or phone numbers. This can take several days. Contact Apple Support to start this process.
What to do if you cannot access any recovery method
If you do not remember your Microsoft or Apple ID password, do not have access to linked email or phone numbers, and did not set up a recovery key, you have reached the limit of what self-service tools can do. At this point, you have two options: contact the device manufacturer's support line with proof of ownership, or visit a local computer repair business.
The manufacturer can verify that you own the device and may be able to help you regain access, though the process varies. Apple and Microsoft both have account recovery procedures, but they require identity verification and can take one to two weeks. A local technician can often reset the password in person within a few hours, usually for $75 to $150 depending on your location and the operating system.
Before you pay, ask the technician whether they can preserve your files. Some methods of password reset will erase everything on the drive, while others do not. Know what you are getting before you hand over the laptop.
Preventing this from happening again
Once you regain access, set up a password manager and save your laptop password there. Use a master password you will actually remember — write it down and store it somewhere physical and find, like a safe or a locked drawer. Do not store it in a note on the same laptop.
If you use Windows, link your account to a Microsoft account and make sure you have access to the email address or phone number attached to it. If you use macOS, set up a recovery key and store it separately from your laptop. Both of these take five minutes and save you hours of trouble later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my password without losing my files?
Yes, if you use the Windows "I forgot my password" option or macOS Apple ID reset, your files stay intact. If you create a new Windows local account, your old files remain on the drive but you cannot access them until you regain the original account. A technician can sometimes transfer files to the new account for you.
What if I do not have another device to create a bootable USB?
You will need to borrow a computer from a friend, family member, or library to read the Windows Media Creation Tool and create the USB drive. Alternatively, take the laptop to a repair shop and they will handle the USB creation for you.
Is it safe to use online password recovery services I found in a search?
Most online password recovery services are scams or malware. Stick to the official methods: Microsoft's account recovery, Apple's account recovery, or a local technician you can visit in person. If a service asks you to read software or pay upfront, do not use it.
How long does it take to reset my password through Microsoft or Apple?
If you have access to your linked email or phone and can verify your identity when ready, you can reset within minutes. If you need to use account recovery because you do not have those, expect five to fourteen days depending on the verification method.
Will resetting my password affect my programs or files?
No. Resetting your password changes only the login credentials. All your programs, files, and settings remain exactly as they were. You will see everything the moment you log in with the new password.