The fastest way depends on what you remember and what you set up before

If you know your current password, you can change it through Settings in under a minute. If you're locked out completely, your options narrow — but you have them. The path forward depends on whether you set up a password reset disk, a recovery email, or a PIN before you got stuck. If you set up none of those, you can still get back in, but it takes longer and requires either another device or physical access to your computer.

Start by trying the easiest route: if you have any way to reach your email or phone, Windows can send you a reset link. If that doesn't work, the next step is usually a local account reset using another admin account on the same computer. Only after those options are exhausted do you need to use a password reset disk or reinstall Windows.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Change your password — no tools needed.
  • If you're locked out but have access to your recovery email or phone number, use the "I forgot my password" link on the login screen to get a reset code sent to you.
  • If you have another admin account on the same computer, you can reset the locked account's password through Settings > Accounts > Other people.
  • A password reset disk created before you got locked out will let you reset your password at the login screen without needing another account or email access.
  • If none of those work, you can reinstall Windows while keeping your files, though this erases all your programs and settings.

Resetting your password when you still know it

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts, then Your info on the left side. Under "Your password", click Change.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in and click Next. Then type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Confirm password" field. You can add a password hint if you want, though the hint will be visible to anyone at your login screen. Click Next, then Finish.

Your password changes when ready. You don't need to restart your computer, though you will need to use the new password the next time you sign in.

Using your recovery email or phone to reset a forgotten password

At the Windows 10 login screen, click I forgot my password. Windows will ask which account you're trying to access — select yours. On the next screen, choose whether you want to receive a reset code by email or text message. If you set up a recovery email or phone number before you got locked out, you should see at least one option available.

If you choose email, Windows sends a code to your recovery email address. Check that email (you may need to use another device), copy the code, and enter it on the reset screen. If you choose text, the code goes to your recovery phone number. Either way, once you enter the code, you can create a new password right there at the login screen.

This method only works if you set up a recovery email or phone number before you forgot your password. If you never added either one, this option won't appear, and you'll need to try a different route.

Resetting the password from another admin account on the same computer

If someone else has an admin account on your computer, they can reset your password without needing your recovery email or a reset disk. Have that person sign in with their account. Then they should open Settings, click Accounts, and select Other people on the left side.

They'll see a list of accounts on the computer. They should click your account name, then click Reset password. Windows will ask them to create a new password for your account. They type it in twice, optionally add a hint, and click Next. Your password is now reset, and you can sign in with the new one.

This only works if the other person has an admin account — a standard user account won't have the "Reset password" option. If you're the only admin account on the computer, this route is closed to you.

Using a password reset disk you created before

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it at the login screen. You'll need the USB drive or other removable media the disk was saved to. Plug it into your computer, then at the login screen click Reset password.

Windows will launch the Password Reset Wizard. Click Next, then select the removable media device that contains your reset disk. Click Next again. The wizard will ask you to create a new password. Type it twice, optionally add a hint, and click Next, then Finish.

If you never created a reset disk before you got locked out, you can't use this method now — you can only create a reset disk when you're already signed in. This is why creating one ahead of time is worth the five minutes it takes.

Creating a password reset disk for the future

If you get back into your account, create a reset disk right away so you're never in this position again. You'll need a USB drive or other removable media. Plug it in, then open Settings, click Accounts, and select Sign-in options on the left. Scroll down to "Password" and click Create a password reset disk.

Windows will open the Forgotten Password Wizard. Click Next, then select your removable media device from the dropdown. Click Next again. Windows will ask for your current password — type it in and click Next. The wizard creates the disk and shows you a confirmation screen. Click Finish. Keep that USB drive somewhere safe and accessible — not in a place you'll lose it, but also not somewhere you'll forget about it.

Reinstalling Windows if you're completely locked out

If you have no recovery email, no other admin account, and no reset disk, you can reinstall Windows 10. This erases all your programs and settings but keeps your personal files. You'll need another computer or device to read Windows 10 and create installation media on a USB drive.

Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows10 on another computer. Click read tool now and run the Media Creation Tool. Select Create installation media for another PC, choose your language and edition, and select USB flash drive as your media type. Follow the prompts to create a bootable USB drive.

Plug that USB drive into your locked computer and restart it. You may need to press a key like F12, Esc, or Del during startup to enter the boot menu — the key varies by computer manufacturer. Select the USB drive from the boot menu. Windows Setup will launch. Click Install now, accept the license terms, and when asked where to install, select your main drive. Windows will reinstall, and you'll set up a new password during the process. Your personal files stay, but programs and settings are gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without another device or email access?

Only if you created a password reset disk before you got locked out, or if another person with an admin account is on your computer. Otherwise, you need either a recovery email, a recovery phone number, or another device to read Windows installation media. This is why setting up recovery options before you need them matters.

What's the difference between a PIN and a password in Windows 10?

A PIN is a number-only code, usually four digits, that's faster to type than a password. You can have both a password and a PIN on the same account. If you forget your PIN, you can reset it using your password — go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN, then click I forgot my PIN. If you forget your password, you can't use your PIN to reset it.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Changing your password or resetting it through any of these methods only changes how you sign in. Your files, documents, photos, and downloads all stay where they are. Only a full Windows reinstall affects your files, and even then, it keeps them — it just erases programs and settings.

How long does it take to get a password reset code by email?

Usually a few minutes, sometimes when ready. Check your inbox and your spam folder — recovery codes sometimes get filtered. If you don't see it after 10 minutes, try requesting the code again. If email isn't working, try the text message option if you set up a recovery phone number.

Can I use a password reset disk on a different computer?

No. A password reset disk only works on the computer where it was created. If you get a new computer or use a different one, you'll need to use your recovery email or phone number instead.