The fastest way back in depends on what you remember
If you have forgotten your Windows 10 password, you have three main routes: use a password reset disk if you made one before you got locked out, reset through your Microsoft account online, or create a new local administrator account from the login screen. The route that works for you depends on whether you set up a Microsoft account, whether you created a recovery disk, and whether you can access another computer.
None of these methods will erase your files. They change or bypass your password, but your documents, photos, and programs stay where they are. The process takes anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on which method you use and how fast your internet connection is.
Key Takeaways
- A password reset disk created before you forgot your password is the fastest route — it works entirely on your locked computer with no internet needed.
- If you use a Microsoft account (not a local account), you can reset your password online from any other device, and the change takes effect the next time you restart your computer.
- If you have no reset disk and no Microsoft account, you can create a new local administrator account from the login screen using a second computer and a USB drive.
- Windows 10 does not have a built-in master password or backdoor — the methods that work are the ones you set up in advance or the ones that require a second device.
Resetting through your Microsoft account online
If your Windows 10 login uses a Microsoft account (the kind tied to an email address like yourname@outlook.com or yourname@gmail.com), you can reset the password from any other computer or phone. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Security" on the left side, then click "Change password" under the "Password" section. Enter your current password, then enter your new password twice. The next time you restart your locked computer, you can log in with the new password.
This method works even if you have never set up a recovery email or phone number. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to the email address associated with your account. Check your email, enter the code on the Microsoft website, and you can set a new password when ready.
The catch: this only works if you remember your Microsoft account email address. If you are not sure whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account, look at the login screen on your locked computer — if it shows an email address, you have a Microsoft account.
Using a password reset disk you created before
If you created a password reset disk on a USB drive or floppy disk before you forgot your password, you can use it to reset your password on the locked computer itself. Plug the USB drive into the computer, go to the login screen, and click "Reset password" below the password field. Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the disk.
This method is the fastest because it requires no internet, no second device, and no waiting for email codes. The entire process takes about five minutes. However, it only works if you actually created the disk in advance — Windows does not create one automatically.
If you are not sure whether you have a reset disk, check any USB drives or external storage you have. The disk will have a file called "userkey.psw" on it. If you find one, plug it in and follow the reset process on the login screen.
Creating a new administrator account from the login screen
If you do not have a reset disk and do not use a Microsoft account, you can create a new local administrator account from the login screen. This requires a second computer and a USB drive. On the second computer, read the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from microsoft.com/en-us/software-read/windows10, run it, and follow the prompts to create a bootable USB drive.
Plug the USB drive into your locked computer, restart it, and press the key that opens the boot menu — usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on your computer's manufacturer. Select the USB drive from the menu. When Windows Setup appears, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt. Type the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each one:
- diskpart
- list disk
- select disk 0
- list partition
- select partition 1
- assign letter=Z:
- exit
- cd Z:\Windows\System32
- ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak
- copy cmd.exe utilman.exe
- exit
Restart the computer and remove the USB drive. At the login screen, press the Windows key + U. Command Prompt will open. Type net user [newusername] [newpassword] /add, replacing the brackets with a username and password you choose. Then type net localgroup administrators [newusername] /add to make the new account an administrator. You can now log in with the new account and access your files.
This method is more technical than the others and takes longer, but it works on any Windows 10 computer regardless of account type. After you log in, you can try to reset your original account password through Settings, or straightforward use the new administrator account going forward.
What to do if you cannot remember your Microsoft account email
If you use a Microsoft account but cannot remember the email address, look at your computer's Settings. Restart your computer, log in with any account that still works (a guest account, a family member's account, or a newly created local account), then open Settings and go to "Accounts" > "Your info". The email address associated with your Microsoft account will be listed there. Once you have the email, you can use the online reset method described above.
If no other account exists on the computer, you will need to use the USB method to create a new administrator account first, then use that account to find your Microsoft email address in Settings.
Preventing this from happening again
Create a password reset disk now, while you can still log in. Open Settings, go to "Accounts" > "Sign-in options", scroll down to "Password", and click "I forgot my password". Follow the prompts to create a reset disk on a USB drive. Store the drive somewhere safe — a desk drawer or filing cabinet is fine. If you ever get locked out again, you will have a way back in that takes five minutes.
If you use a Microsoft account, make sure your recovery email and phone number are current in your Microsoft account settings. This gives you a second way to verify your identity if you forget your password.
Write your password down and store it somewhere find if you are worried about forgetting it again. A locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password are all better than trying to remember a complex password under stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Resetting or changing your password does not touch your documents, photos, programs, or any other files. They remain on your computer exactly as they were. Only your login password changes.
Can I reset my password if I do not have internet?
Yes, if you have a password reset disk. You can also use the USB method to create a new administrator account without internet. The Microsoft account method requires internet on a second device, but not on the locked computer itself.
What if I do not remember my Microsoft account password either?
Go to account.microsoft.com/security on any device with internet. Click "Security" and then "Change password". Microsoft will send a verification code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter the code and set a new password. You do not need to know your old password to change it.
Is there a master password for Windows 10?
No. Windows 10 has no built-in master password or backdoor that bypasses your login. The only ways back in are the methods described here: a reset disk you created in advance, a Microsoft account reset online, or creating a new administrator account with a bootable USB drive.
Can someone else reset my password without my permission?
Not remotely. All of these methods require physical access to your computer or access to your Microsoft account email. If you are worried about someone changing your Microsoft password, turn on two-factor authentication in your Microsoft account settings so that password changes require approval on a trusted device.