The fastest way depends on whether you remember any password at all

If you can log in to Windows 10 but want to change your password, use Settings. If you're locked out entirely, you have three routes: use a password reset disk you made before, answer security questions you set up, or create a new local account and transfer your files. The method that works depends on what you prepared ahead of time and what type of account you use — Microsoft account or local account.

Start by looking at your login screen. If you see your email address, you have a Microsoft account. If you see only a username, you have a local account. This matters because Microsoft accounts can reset through the web; local accounts cannot.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your current password, go to Settings > Accounts > Password and click "Change your password" — this takes two minutes.
  • If you're locked out of a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com on another device, click "Can't access your account", and follow the recovery steps using your phone or backup email.
  • If you're locked out of a local account and have no recovery method set up, you must create a new local account on the same computer, then copy your files from the old account folder.
  • A password reset disk created before you were locked out is the fastest unlock method for a local account — insert the disk at the login screen and click "Reset password".
  • Windows 10 does not have a built-in way to recover a local account password without advance preparation or creating a new account.

Changing your password when you can still log in

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts in the left sidebar.

Click Password in the left menu. Click the blue Change button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first — type it and click Next. Then enter your new password twice (once to set it, once to confirm), add a password hint if you want one, and click Next. Click Finish to complete the change.

Your new password takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your computer.

Recovering a Microsoft account when you're locked out

Go to account.microsoft.com on any other device — a phone, tablet, or another computer. Click Sign in, then click Can't access your account? below the password field.

Enter your email address and the characters shown in the image (the CAPTCHA). Microsoft will ask you to choose a recovery method: receive a code by text to your phone number, receive a code by email to your backup email address, or answer security questions you set up. Choose whichever method you have access to.

Follow the prompts to verify your identity. Once verified, you can set a new password right there on the website. Return to your locked Windows 10 computer and log in with your new password.

If you do not have access to your phone number or backup email, and you do not remember your security questions, Microsoft has a form at account.microsoft.com/account/Account/ManageMyAccount where you can request account recovery. This process can take several days.

Using a password reset disk for a local account

A password reset disk is a USB drive you create in advance, before you forget your password. If you have one, this is the fastest way to unlock a local account.

Insert the USB disk into your locked computer. At the Windows 10 login screen, click Reset password below the password field. Windows will walk you through selecting the disk and creating a new password. Once you set the new password, you can log in when ready.

If you do not have a reset disk and cannot create one now (because you are locked out), you will need to use the new account method described below.

Creating a new local account to regain access

If you are locked out of a local account and have no reset disk or recovery method, you must create a fresh local account on the same computer. This account will have full access to Windows, and you can then copy your files from the old account.

At the login screen, click Sign-in options at the bottom left. Click Password to see password recovery options. If none of those work, restart your computer and try again — sometimes the recovery options appear on the second attempt.

If recovery options still do not appear, you will need to use another computer to create a Windows 10 installation disk or USB drive using the Windows Media Creation Tool (available free from microsoft.com). Boot your locked computer from that disk, choose Repair your computer, then Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. You can choose to keep your files or remove them. This process erases your password but preserves your documents, photos, and downloads in a folder called Windows.old.

Copying files from your old account after a reset

After you create a new account and log in, your old account folder still exists on the computer. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users. You will see a folder with your old account name. Open it to find your Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and Desktop folders.

Copy any files you need to your new account's folders. You can then delete the old account folder if you want to free up space. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, click the old account name, and click Delete. Windows will ask whether to keep or delete the account's files — choose based on whether you have already copied what you need.

Setting up recovery methods so this does not happen again

Once you are back in your account, take 10 minutes to prepare for the next time you forget your password.

For a Microsoft account: Go to account.microsoft.com, click Security, then Advanced security options. Add a phone number and backup email address. Set up security questions. These are your lifelines if you get locked out again.

For a local account: Go to Settings > Accounts > Password and click Create a password reset disk. Insert a blank USB drive and follow the prompts. Store this disk somewhere safe — a drawer, a safe, or with important documents. If you ever forget your password, this disk will unlock your account in under a minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without another device?

Not if you are completely locked out of a local account with no reset disk. You need either another computer to create a Windows installation disk, or you need to have set up a recovery method (phone number, backup email, or security questions) before you were locked out. Microsoft accounts can recover through the web on any device.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Changing your password in Settings keeps all your files intact. Creating a new account and copying files also preserves everything. Only if you use the full "Reset this PC" option from the Windows installation disk do you get a choice to delete files — and you can choose to keep them.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password and my phone number changed?

Use your backup email address to recover your account at account.microsoft.com. If you no longer have access to that email either, Microsoft's account recovery form can help, but it requires you to answer questions about your account history and may take several days.

Is there a master password for Windows 10?

No. Windows 10 has no built-in master password or backdoor. This is intentional — it protects your data if someone steals your computer. Your only options are the recovery methods you set up in advance, or creating a new account.

Can I reset someone else's password on their computer?

Only if you have physical access to the computer and you are willing to create a new account (which means you can see their files but they will know the computer was accessed). You cannot remotely reset another person's password without their recovery information. If you are the administrator of a work computer, your IT department may have tools to reset it, but they cannot do it for a personal device.