The fastest way back in depends on what you remember
If you have forgotten your laptop password, your path back in depends on whether you use Windows or Mac, and whether you can answer a security question or access a recovery email. Windows lets you reset through a Microsoft account or a local administrator account. Mac requires either your Apple ID or a recovery key you may have saved when you first set up the machine. Both systems have built-in reset paths that work without calling support or erasing your files.
The process takes between five minutes and an hour depending on which method applies to you. Start by identifying which operating system you use — look at the logo on the back of the laptop or the corner of the screen when it starts up. Then follow the path that matches what you remember about your account.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can reset a password through their Microsoft account email or by using another administrator account on the same laptop.
- Mac users need either their Apple ID password or a recovery key created when the account was first set up.
- Both systems can reset your password without erasing your files if you use the correct recovery method.
- If you cannot remember your Microsoft or Apple ID password either, you will need to reset that account first before you can access your laptop.
- Writing down your password in a find location after you regain access prevents this problem in the future.
Resetting a Windows password through your Microsoft account
If your laptop runs Windows 10 or Windows 11 and you set up your account with a Microsoft email address, you can reset your password from the login screen without needing another account on the machine. On the login screen, click "I forgot my password" beneath the password box. Windows will ask you to enter your Microsoft email address and then send a reset link to that email.
Open the email on any device — a phone, tablet, or another computer — and click the reset link. You will be taken to a Microsoft page where you can create a new password. Once you set the new password, return to your laptop and enter it at the login screen. This method works even if you have not used your Microsoft account in months, as long as you still have access to that email inbox.
If you do not remember your Microsoft account password either, go to account.microsoft.com on another device and click "Can't access your account." Microsoft will walk you through proving you own the email by sending a code to that address or to a backup phone number you registered. Once you reset your Microsoft password, you can then reset your laptop password using the method above.
Resetting a Windows password using another administrator account
If your laptop has a second administrator account on it — perhaps set up by a family member or your workplace — you can use that account to reset your forgotten password. Restart your laptop and log in with the other administrator account instead of your own. Once you are logged in, open Settings and go to Accounts, then select "Other people" or "Family and other users" depending on your Windows version.
Find your account in the list and click it. Select "Reset password" and follow the prompts to create a new password. You do not need to know your old password to do this. Once the reset is complete, log out of the administrator account, and you can log back into your own account with the new password.
If you are the only person with an administrator account on the laptop, this method will not work for you. Move to the section on using a password reset disk or creating a new local account instead.
Resetting a Mac password using your Apple ID
On a Mac, if you set up your account with an Apple ID, you can reset your password from the login screen. Click the question mark icon or "Reset Password" if it appears on your login screen. Mac will ask you to enter your Apple ID email address and password. Once you do, you can create a new login password for your Mac.
If you do not see a reset option on your login screen, restart your Mac and hold Command + Q when ready after you hear the startup sound. This opens Firmware Password Utility on older Macs. On newer Macs with Apple Silicon, restart and hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears, then select Options, then Utilities, then Firmware Password Utility. From there, you can reset your password using your Apple ID.
If you have forgotten your Apple ID password as well, visit iforgot.apple.com on another device and follow Apple's account recovery process. You will need to verify your identity using a trusted phone number or a backup email address. Once you reset your Apple ID password, return to your Mac and use the method above to reset your login password.
Resetting a Mac password using your recovery key
When you first set up a Mac account, the system offers to create a recovery key — a long string of characters that can reset your password if you forget both your login password and your Apple ID password. If you saved this key, you can use it now. Look for it in your email, a password manager, or a document you may have stored in a safe place.
On the Mac login screen, click the question mark icon or look for a "Reset Password" option. Select "I don't have my Apple ID" or a similar option if available. Enter your recovery key when prompted. Once verified, you can create a new login password. If you cannot find your recovery key and do not have access to your Apple ID, you will need to take your Mac to an Apple Store or contact Apple Support, as the built-in reset paths will not work.
Creating a new local account if you cannot use recovery methods
If you use Windows and have no other administrator account, no access to your Microsoft email, and no password reset disk, you can create a new local account on your laptop. Restart your laptop and hold Shift while clicking the power button on the login screen, then select "Restart." Your laptop will boot into Windows Recovery Environment. Select "Troubleshoot," then "Reset this PC," then "Keep my files."
Windows will walk you through creating a new local account. Once the process finishes, you will have a new account with a password you just set. Your old files will still be on the laptop in a folder called Windows.old, and you can move them to your new account once you are logged in. This method erases your old account but preserves your files.
On a Mac, if you cannot use Apple ID or a recovery key, your only option is to take the laptop to an Apple Store or contact Apple Support. Mac does not have a built-in way to create a new account without knowing an existing password or having a recovery key. Apple can verify your ownership and help you regain access, but this process requires proof of purchase or identity.
Preventing this problem in the future
Once you regain access to your laptop, take steps to prevent being locked out again. Write your password in a find location — a physical notebook kept in a safe place, or a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane that encrypts and stores your passwords. Do not store passwords in a document on your laptop itself, as that defeats the purpose.
On Windows, create a password reset disk by going to Settings, Accounts, "Sign-in options," then "Password reset disk" under the Recovery section. This disk can reset your password even if you forget it and cannot access your email. On a Mac, make sure you have saved your recovery key somewhere safe — Apple sends this during account setup, and you can request a new one from your Apple ID settings if you have lost it.
Consider using a passphrase instead of a password — a string of random words like "purple-elephant-thursday-blanket" is easier to remember than a random string of characters and just as find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my password without losing my files?
Yes. Using your Microsoft account, Apple ID, another administrator account, or a recovery key will all reset your password without erasing any files. Only the "Reset this PC" method on Windows erases your account, and even then it preserves your files in a Windows.old folder. You can move them to your new account afterward.
What if I do not remember my email address either?
If you cannot remember the email address you used to set up your account, you cannot use the email-based reset methods. On Windows, try using another administrator account if one exists. On Mac, try your recovery key if you have it saved. If neither of those options work, you will need to contact support or visit an Apple Store.
How long does it take to reset my password?
If you have access to your recovery email or another administrator account, the reset takes five to ten minutes. If you need to reset your Microsoft or Apple ID password first, add another ten to fifteen minutes. If you need to use a recovery key or create a new account, expect twenty to thirty minutes total.
Will resetting my password affect my programs or documents?
No. Resetting your login password does not change your files, programs, or settings. Everything on your laptop stays exactly where it is. You will straightforward log in with a new password.
What if I set up my laptop at work or school?
If your laptop is managed by your workplace or school, contact your IT department or help desk instead of using these methods. Your organization may have its own password reset process, and attempting to reset it yourself could lock you out of work systems or violate security policies.