The fastest way: use another account on the same computer

If you have a second user account on the same Windows 10 computer — even a guest account someone else set up — you can reset the forgotten password from that account without any special tools or recovery discs. This works because Windows stores password reset information that another administrator account can access.

Log in with the other account. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Go to Accounts, then select Other people on the left side. Find the account with the forgotten password and click on it. Select "Reset password" and follow the prompts to create a new password. You do not need the old password to do this.

Once the password is reset, log out and sign in to the locked account with the new password you just created. This method takes about five minutes and requires no downloads or external devices.

Key Takeaways

  • If another administrator account exists on your computer, you can reset the forgotten password through Settings without needing the old one.
  • A Microsoft account password reset through the web works if you remember your email address and can receive a code on a backup email or phone number.
  • A local account password reset requires either a password reset disc created before you forgot the password, or access to another administrator account.
  • If you have no other account and no reset disc, you will need to reinstall Windows 10, which erases all files on the drive.

Resetting a Microsoft account password through the web

If your Windows 10 account is linked to a Microsoft account — the kind you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox — you can reset the password from any web browser on any device, even a phone or tablet.

Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account?" at the bottom of the sign-in screen. Enter your email address. Microsoft will ask you to prove you own the account by sending a code to a backup email address or phone number you set up earlier. Enter that code, then create a new password.

Return to your Windows 10 computer and sign in with the new password. This method works even if you have no other account on the computer, but it requires that you set up a backup email or phone number before you forgot the password. If you did not, this route will not work.

Using a password reset disc if you created one before

If you created a password reset disc on a USB drive or external drive while you still had access to your account, you can use it now. Insert the disc into your computer. On the Windows sign-in screen, click "Reset password" below the password field. Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the reset disc.

This method is straightforward but only works if the disc exists. Most people do not create one until they need it, which is too late. If you do not have a reset disc and cannot remember your password, move to the next section.

What to do if you have no other account and no reset disc

If you are the only user on the computer, you did not create a password reset disc, and your account is not linked to a Microsoft account you can access, Windows 10 cannot be unlocked without reinstalling the operating system. This is by design — it prevents someone else from resetting your password without your permission.

Reinstalling Windows 10 erases everything on your hard drive. Before you do this, try one more thing: restart the computer in Safe Mode and see if you can sign in with a blank password or a straightforward password you may have used. Press F8 repeatedly while the computer is starting up. If that does not work, you will need to reinstall.

To reinstall Windows 10, you need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and a second computer to create the installation media. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows10 on the second computer, read the Media Creation Tool, and follow the steps to write Windows 10 to the USB drive. Then boot your locked computer from the USB drive and choose "Repair your computer" to access recovery options.

Preventing this from happening again

Once you have regained access to your account, take 10 minutes to set up protection against being locked out again. If your account is a Microsoft account, verify that a backup email address and phone number are registered at account.microsoft.com. Microsoft uses these to send password reset codes.

If your account is a local account (not linked to Microsoft), create a password reset disc right now. Press Windows key + R, type "diskmgmt.msc", and press Enter. In the left sidebar, select "Create a password reset disc". Insert a USB drive and follow the prompts. Store this disc somewhere safe — not on your desk, but in a drawer or safe place you will remember.

You can also add a second administrator account to your computer as a backup. If you ever forget the password on your main account, you can use the second account to reset it. This takes about five minutes to set up and costs nothing.

Why Windows locks you out without a way back

Windows 10 does not have a master password or a back door that Microsoft support can use to unlock your account. This is intentional. If such a back door existed, anyone with physical access to your computer could reset your password and read your files, even if you had set a strong password.

The trade-off is that if you forget your password and have no backup method — no second account, no reset disc, no linked Microsoft account — you are locked out permanently. There is no way around this without erasing the drive. This is why creating a password reset disc or linking to a Microsoft account matters before you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password if I remember part of it?

Windows does not have a "partial password" feature. You either know the full password or you do not. If you think you remember it but keep getting locked out, try variations with different capitalization or numbers. After a few wrong attempts, Windows may lock the account temporarily, so wait 15 minutes before trying again.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password changes only the password itself. Your files, programs, and settings stay exactly as they are. The only exception is if you reinstall Windows 10 because you have no other way to regain access — that erases everything on the drive.

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

No. A password reset disc is tied to the specific account and computer it was created on. You cannot use another person's disc to reset your password, and you cannot use your disc on a different computer.

What if I see a message about my account being locked?

An account lock is different from a forgotten password. A lock usually means you entered the wrong password too many times. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and try again. If you remember the password now, you should be able to sign in. If you still cannot remember it, use one of the methods in this guide.

Do I need to contact Microsoft support to reset my password?

Microsoft support cannot reset your Windows 10 password for you. They can help you reset a Microsoft account password through account.microsoft.com, but they cannot unlock a local account or a computer you are locked out of. The methods in this guide are the only ways forward.