The fastest way back in: using your Microsoft account

If you signed into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account (the email address you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), the quickest path is the password reset page Microsoft hosts online. You do not need to be at your computer — you can use a phone, tablet, or another person's computer to do this.

Go to account.microsoft.com/security and select "Change password" or "Reset password" depending on what you see. You will need to prove you own the account by entering a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier. Microsoft will send a code to that email or phone, you enter the code, and then you create a new password. Once that is done, restart your locked Windows 10 computer and sign in with your new password.

This method works even if you have not used your computer in months. The new password takes effect when ready across all your devices.

Key Takeaways

  • If you use a Microsoft account, reset your password at account.microsoft.com using a recovery email or phone number, then sign in on your computer with the new password.
  • If you use a local account (not tied to an email), you will need a password reset disk you created before, or you can answer security questions you set up during account creation.
  • Windows 10 allows you to reset your password from the sign-in screen itself if you have a recovery method already in place.
  • If you have no recovery method and no reset disk, you will need to reinstall Windows 10, which erases the drive.

Resetting a local account password from the sign-in screen

A local account is one that exists only on your computer, not tied to an email address. If this is what you use, look at the sign-in screen for a link that says "Reset password" or "I forgot my password." Click it.

Windows will ask you security questions you answered when you created the account — things like "What is your mother's maiden name?" or "What was the name of your first pet?" Answer three of them correctly, and Windows lets you create a new password right there. You can then sign in normally.

This only works if you actually set up those security questions when you made the account. If you skipped that step, this path will not be available to you.

Using a password reset disk

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it now. This is a USB drive or external drive you made specifically for this purpose. Plug it into your computer at the sign-in screen.

On the sign-in screen, click "Reset password." Windows will detect the reset disk and walk you through creating a new password. Once you finish, you can sign in normally. The reset disk itself is not damaged by this — you can use it again if needed in the future.

If you do not have a reset disk and did not create one before, you cannot use this method. You would need to create one now from another Windows 10 computer where you can sign in, but that does not help you get into your current computer.

What to do if you have no recovery method

If you have no recovery email, no phone number on file, no security questions set up, and no reset disk, Windows 10 cannot let you back in without reinstalling the operating system. This is by design — it prevents someone else from resetting your password and taking over your account.

Reinstalling Windows 10 erases everything on your drive. Before you do this, try one more thing: restart your computer and watch for a prompt to enter a PIN or use Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint). If you remember either of those, you can sign in that way and then reset your password normally from Settings.

If you need to reinstall, you will need another computer to read the Windows 10 installation tool from Microsoft's website, create a bootable USB drive, and then boot your locked computer from that drive. This is a longer process, but it does work.

Preventing this from happening again

Once you are back in, set up recovery options so you never get stuck again. Open Settings, go to "Accounts," then "Security options." Add a recovery email address and a phone number if you use a Microsoft account. If you use a local account, go to "Security options" and create a password reset disk — plug in a USB drive and follow the prompts.

You can also set up a PIN or Windows Hello (face or fingerprint sign-in) so you have another way into your computer if you forget your password. These take only a few minutes to configure and can save you hours of trouble later.

When to contact Microsoft support

If you cannot reset your password through account.microsoft.com because you do not remember the recovery email or phone number, or because you cannot access them, contact Microsoft support directly. They can verify your identity through other means — like asking about your purchase history or previous sign-in locations — and help you regain access to your account.

Microsoft support is available through their website at support.microsoft.com. Have your computer's serial number or product key ready if you have it, though it is not always required. Support can take a few hours to respond, so this is not the fastest option, but it works when other paths are closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if you set up security questions or created a password reset disk beforehand. If you have neither, you will need to contact Microsoft support or reinstall Windows 10. Setting up recovery options now prevents this problem in the future.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password through account.microsoft.com or from the sign-in screen does not touch your files, photos, or programs. They stay exactly where they are. Only a full Windows 10 reinstall erases the drive.

How long does it take to reset a password through Microsoft's website?

Usually a few minutes. You enter your recovery email or phone, receive a code, enter the code, and create a new password. The new password works when ready on your Windows 10 computer once you restart and sign in.

What if I remember my password but Windows says it is wrong?

Caps Lock might be on — Windows passwords are case-sensitive. Check that. If you are certain the password is correct, try resetting it through account.microsoft.com anyway. Your password may have been changed by someone else, or there may be a sync issue between your account and your computer.

Can I use someone else's computer to reset my password?

Yes. Go to account.microsoft.com from any computer or phone and reset your password there. Once you create a new one, go back to your own computer and sign in with it. You do not need to be at your own machine to change the password itself.