How to Reset Your Windows 10 Password When You're Locked Out

The fastest way depends on what you remember

If you know your current password, you can change it in Settings in about two minutes. If you've forgotten it completely, you have three routes: use a password reset disk you made earlier, sign in with a Microsoft account instead of a local account, or create a new local account from the login screen. The method that works depends on what you set up before you got locked out.

Windows 10 does not have a built-in "forgot password" button on the login screen the way some websites do. Instead, it offers recovery options you have to prepare in advance, or it lets you switch to a different account type if you have one. If you did neither, you will need to reset Windows entirely, which erases everything on the drive.

Key Takeaways

If you remember your password, open Settings, select Accounts, then Password, and click Change to set a new one in two minutes.
If you have a password reset disk from before you forgot the password, plug it in at the login screen and click Reset Password to create a new one without erasing anything.
If you set up a Microsoft account on the computer, you can reset your password on Microsoft's website from another device and sign in with the new one.
If you have no reset disk and no Microsoft account, you must create a new local account from the login screen using another administrator account, or reset Windows entirely.
Resetting Windows erases all files, programs, and settings on the drive, so it should be your last option.

Changing your password when you still remember it

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing Settings, then press Enter. Select Accounts on the left side, then Password. Click Change under the "Your password" heading.

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

Using a password reset disk you created before

A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you create while you still know your password. It does not contain your actual password — it contains a key that lets you create a new password without erasing anything. If you made one before you forgot your password, this is the fastest recovery route.

Plug the reset disk into the computer. At the login screen, click Reset Password below the password field. A wizard will open and ask you to select the reset disk. Choose the drive letter where your disk is plugged in, then click Next. Create a new password, add a hint if you want, and click Next. Click Finish. You can now sign in with the new password.

If you never created a reset disk, you cannot create one now — Windows will not let you make a reset disk without knowing the current password. This is why creating one before you need it matters.

Signing in with a Microsoft account instead

If you set up a Microsoft account on this computer before you forgot your password, you can reset the password on Microsoft's website from another device, then use the new password to sign in here. A Microsoft account is one tied to an email address — it is different from a local account, which only exists on that one computer.

From another computer or phone, go to account.microsoft.com and click Sign In. Enter your email address. Click Forgot Password. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity — usually by sending a code to a recovery email or phone number you set up. Enter the code, then create a new password. Write down the new password.

Go back to the locked computer. At the login screen, click Sign In Options, then select the Microsoft account icon (it looks like an envelope). Enter your email address and the new password you just created. If you set up a PIN or Windows Hello (face or fingerprint), you can use those instead once you sign in once with the password.

This method only works if you set up a Microsoft account on the computer and you still have access to the recovery email or phone number. If you set up a local account instead, this route is not available.

Creating a new local account from the login screen

If you have another administrator account on the same computer, you can sign in with that account and create a new password for the locked account. This does not erase anything.

At the login screen, click the account you can still access. Sign in with that password. Open Settings, select Accounts, then Other People. Click Add Account. Choose I Don't Have This Person's Sign-In Information, then I Don't Have Their Password. Enter a username and password for the new account, add a security question and answer, then click Next. On the next screen, click Add. The new account is now created and you can sign in with it.

If you only had one account on the computer and you cannot remember its password, you cannot use this method. You will need to reset Windows.

Resetting Windows when nothing else works

If you have no reset disk, no Microsoft account, and no other administrator account you can access, you must reset Windows. This erases all files, programs, and settings on the drive and reinstalls Windows 10 from scratch. You will lose everything that was not backed up elsewhere.

You will need another computer to read Windows 10 and create a bootable USB drive. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows10 from another computer. Click read Tool Now and run the file. Select Create Installation Media for Another PC. Choose USB Flash Drive, then select your USB drive. The tool will read Windows and write it to the drive.

Plug the USB drive into the locked computer and restart it. As it boots, press Delete, F2, F10, or F12 repeatedly — the key depends on your computer's manufacturer — to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive. Windows Setup will start. Click Repair Your Computer, then Troubleshoot, then Reset This PC. Choose Remove Everything. Select Local Reinstall. Windows will erase the drive and reinstall itself. This takes 20 to 40 minutes.

After Windows finishes installing, you will create a new account and password. All your old files and programs are gone. If you have backups on an external drive or cloud storage, you can restore them after Windows is set up.

Preventing this from happening again

Create a password reset disk now, while you know your password. Open Settings, select Accounts, then Password. Click Create a Password Reset Disk. Follow the wizard, select a USB drive, and let it finish. Store the disk somewhere safe — a drawer, a safe, or a locked cabinet. If you ever forget your password again, you can use this disk to reset it in minutes without losing anything.

You can also set up a Microsoft account if you have not already. This gives you a second way to recover your password from another device. If you use a Microsoft account, make sure you remember the email address and have access to the recovery phone number or backup email you set up with Microsoft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without a reset disk or Microsoft account?

Only if you have another administrator account on the same computer that you can still access. If you have only one account and no reset disk, you must reset Windows entirely, which erases everything. This is why creating a reset disk before you need it is important.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No — changing or resetting your password does not delete files. Resetting Windows does erase everything, but that is different from resetting your password. If you can use a reset disk or Microsoft account, your files stay intact.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password too?

Go to account.microsoft.com/security and click Verify Your Identity. Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email or phone. Enter the code and create a new password. You can then use that new password to sign in to Windows.

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

Yes, if they sign in with their account and you are both present, they can create a new local account for you or help you reset your password through Settings. You will need their password to sign in as them.

How long does it take to reset Windows?

The read and USB creation takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed. The actual reset on the computer takes 20 to 40 minutes. Plan for an hour total from start to finish.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.