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

If you can still log in to Windows 10, resetting your password takes two minutes through Settings. If you are locked out completely, your options depend on whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account, and whether you set up a password reset disk or recovery email beforehand. The method that works fastest is the one you prepared for before you forgot the password — but there are paths forward even if you did not.

Start by identifying which type of account you have. On the Windows 10 login screen, look at the name shown. If it is an email address (like yourname@outlook.com), you have a Microsoft account. If it is just a name with no @ symbol, you have a local account. This determines which reset method will work.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password and can log in, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info and click "Change your password" to set a new one in under two minutes.
  • If you are locked out with a Microsoft account, use the "I forgot my password" link on the login screen to reset it through your recovery email or phone number.
  • If you are locked out with a local account and have no recovery method set up, you will need a password reset disk, another admin account on the machine, or Windows installation media to regain access.
  • A password reset disk created before you forgot the password is the simplest recovery method for local accounts and takes about five minutes to use.
  • If none of these options are available, you may need to reinstall Windows 10, which erases all files on the drive.

Resetting your password when you can still log in

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts on the left side. Click "Your Info" at the top of the list. You will see your account name and picture. Click the button that says "Change your password".

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 "Reenter password" field. Windows will show you the password strength as you type. Click Next, then Finish. You are done. The new password takes effect when ready.

Resetting a Microsoft account password from the login screen

On the Windows 10 login screen, look for the text "I forgot my password" below the password field. Click it. Windows will ask you to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a code by email, text message, or authenticator app — whichever method you set up when you created the account.

If you chose email, check the inbox for the recovery email address you registered. Microsoft will send a code. Enter it on the Windows screen. If you chose text message, you will receive a code on your phone. Enter it the same way. Once you enter the code correctly, Windows lets you create a new password right there on the login screen. Type your new password twice and click Next. You can then log in with the new password.

If you do not have access to the recovery email or phone number, go to the Microsoft account recovery page on another device (account.microsoft.com/security-info). Sign in with any other Microsoft account or create a temporary one. Search for the account you are locked out of and follow the steps to verify your identity through security questions or other methods Microsoft offers. Once verified, you can reset the password and return to your locked Windows machine.

Resetting a local account password with a password reset disk

A password reset disk is a USB drive you create in advance that stores a key to unlock your account. If you created one before you forgot your password, this is the fastest way back in. Insert the USB drive into the locked computer. On the login screen, enter any password (it does not have to be correct). Windows will say the password is wrong. Click "Reset password".

Windows will open the Password Reset Wizard. Click Next. The wizard will search for password reset disks on connected drives. When it finds yours, select it and click Next. Type your new password twice and click Next, then Finish. You can now log in with the new password. Remove the USB drive.

If you do not have a password reset disk yet and you are not locked out, you can create one now to protect yourself later. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Scroll down to "Password" and click "Create a password reset disk". Follow the wizard, insert a blank USB drive when prompted, and let it finish. Store the USB drive somewhere safe.

Resetting a local account password using another admin account

If another person on the same computer has an admin account and you can log in as them, they can reset your password without needing your old one. Have the admin account holder log in. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other people. Find your account in the list. Click it, then click "Change password". The admin account does not need to know your old password — they can set a completely new one for you.

Alternatively, the admin can use the Command Prompt. Have them press Windows key + R, type "cmd", right-click Command Prompt, and select "Run as administrator". Type the command: net user [your account name] [new password] — replacing [your account name] with your actual username and [new password] with whatever you want the new password to be. Press Enter. The password changes when ready. You can then log in with the new password.

Resetting a local account password with Windows installation media

If you have no password reset disk and no other admin account on the machine, you can use Windows 10 installation media (a USB drive or DVD with Windows 10 on it) to reset your password. You will need another computer to create the installation media first. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows10 on the other computer. Click "read tool now" and run the Media Creation Tool. Follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive or DVD.

Insert the installation media into the locked computer and restart it. The computer should boot from the media automatically. If it does not, restart again and press the key shown on screen to open the boot menu (usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del — it varies by manufacturer). Select the USB drive or DVD from the list. Once Windows setup loads, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt. Type the command: net user [your account name] [new password] and press Enter. Restart the computer and remove the installation media. You can now log in with the new password.

What to do if you have no recovery method set up

If you have no password reset disk, no recovery email, no phone number on file, and no other admin account, resetting your password requires reinstalling Windows 10. This erases all files on the drive, so this is a last resort. You will need another computer and a blank USB drive or DVD to create Windows installation media using the Media Creation Tool (as described in the section above).

Boot from the installation media, and when Windows setup asks where to install Windows, select the drive your current Windows is on. Windows will ask if you want to keep your files. Choose "Nothing" — this removes the old Windows installation and user accounts completely. Let the installation finish. When you restart, you will have a fresh Windows 10 with no user accounts. You can create a new account during setup and log in with a password you choose. Your old files will be gone, but you will have access to the computer again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my Windows 10 password without a password reset disk or recovery email?

Yes, if you have another admin account on the same computer, that person can reset your password through Settings or Command Prompt without knowing your old password. If no other admin account exists, you will need Windows installation media and Command Prompt access, or you will need to reinstall Windows entirely.

What is the difference between a Microsoft account and a local account password reset?

Microsoft accounts reset through your recovery email or phone number, which you can do from any device with internet access. Local accounts reset through a password reset disk, another admin account, or Windows installation media. Microsoft accounts are easier to recover if you lose access to the computer itself.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No — resetting your password through Settings, a password reset disk, another admin account, or Command Prompt keeps all your files intact. Only a full Windows reinstall deletes files, and that is a last resort when no other method works.

How long does it take to reset a Windows 10 password?

If you remember your current password and can log in, it takes about two minutes through Settings. If you are locked out but have a password reset disk, it takes about five minutes. If you need to use another admin account or Command Prompt, it takes ten to fifteen minutes. A full Windows reinstall takes one to two hours.

Can I reset my password if I forgot the email address for my Microsoft account?

If you remember the email address but forgot the password, use the "I forgot my password" link on the login screen and choose text message or authenticator app instead. If you forgot the email address itself, go to account.microsoft.com/security-info on another device and search for your account using your phone number or security questions.