The fastest way depends on how you set up your account
If you forgot your Windows password, the speed of recovery depends on whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account, and whether you set up a recovery email or phone number. A Microsoft account with a recovery email attached can be reset in minutes from another device. A local account with no recovery method can take longer and may require you to prove you own the computer.
The method also changes if you are locked out right now versus trying to prevent lockout later. If you are sitting at the login screen unable to enter your password, your options are different from someone who wants to set up a backup recovery method today.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft accounts can be reset from any web browser by visiting account.microsoft.com and using your recovery email or phone number.
- Local accounts require you to use a password reset disk (if you made one earlier) or answer security questions you set up beforehand.
- If you have no recovery method set up, you may need to prove ownership of the computer to Microsoft or use Windows installation media to reset the account.
- Setting up a recovery email and phone number now takes five minutes and prevents most lockout situations later.
- Never share your recovery email or phone number with others, as they can use it to lock you out of your own account.
Resetting a Microsoft account password from another device
If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft account (you log in with an email address), you can reset your password from any computer, phone, or tablet with internet access. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Sign in," then click "Can't access your account?" at the bottom of the login box.
Microsoft will ask you to enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. You will then choose a recovery method: either a code sent to your recovery email address or a code sent to your recovery phone number. Enter the code you receive, create a new password, and you can log back into your Windows computer within minutes.
This method works even if you are locked out of your computer right now. You do not need to be at the Windows login screen. The only requirement is that you set up a recovery email or phone number before you forgot your password.
Using a password reset disk for a local account
A local account is one that exists only on your computer, not linked to Microsoft. If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it to create a new password at the login screen.
Insert the reset disk (usually a USB drive) into your computer. At the Windows login screen, click "Reset password" below the password box. Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the disk. Once you finish, you can log in with the new password.
If you did not create a reset disk before, this method will not work. You will need to use security questions (if you set them up) or contact Microsoft to verify you own the computer.
Answering security questions to unlock a local account
When you set up a local Windows account, you may have chosen security questions like "What is your mother's maiden name?" or "What was the name of your first pet?" If you did, you can use those answers to reset your password at the login screen.
At the Windows login screen, enter your username and click "Reset password." Windows will display the security questions you chose. Answer them correctly, and you will be able to create a new password. This method only works if you actually set up security questions when you created the account — many people skip this step.
Proving ownership to Microsoft when you have no recovery method
If you use a Microsoft account but never set up a recovery email or phone number, or if you cannot access either one, Microsoft can help you regain access. Go to account.microsoft.com/security and select "I forgot my password." Click "I can't use any of these options" at the bottom of the recovery choices.
Microsoft will ask you to verify you own the account by answering questions about your account history, recent activity, or devices you have used. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how much information Microsoft needs to confirm your identity. Have your credit card or phone number handy — Microsoft may ask for the last four digits of a card you used to purchase something, or the last four digits of a phone number you registered.
This verification step exists to prevent someone else from taking over your account. It is slower than using a recovery email, but it is the built-in backup when you have no other recovery method.
Using Windows installation media to reset a local account
If you have a local account with no password reset disk and no security questions set up, you can use Windows installation media to reset your password. This method requires a USB drive or DVD with Windows installation files, which you can create on another computer using the Windows Media Creation Tool (available free from Microsoft's website).
Insert the installation media, restart your computer, and boot from the media (usually by pressing F12, Del, or Esc during startup — the key varies by computer). When the Windows setup screen appears, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt. From there, you can use command-line tools to reset your local account password. The exact commands depend on your Windows version, so search for "reset local account password Windows [your version]" and follow a guide from Microsoft's official documentation.
This method is more technical than the others and requires you to have access to another computer to create the installation media. It is a last resort when no other recovery method is available.
Setting up recovery options now to avoid lockout later
The easiest way to handle a forgotten password is to prevent the situation in the first place. If you use a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com/security and add a recovery email address and phone number. Microsoft will send a verification code to each one — make sure you can access both before you finish.
If you use a local account, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Security options." You can set up security questions here. You can also create a password reset disk by searching for "Create a password reset disk" in the Start menu and following the wizard. Store the reset disk somewhere safe — a drawer at home, not in your wallet.
Both of these steps take less than five minutes and can save you hours of trouble if you forget your password later. They also protect you if someone else tries to lock you out of your account, because you will be able to regain access quickly without proving ownership to Microsoft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my password if I do not remember my recovery email address?
If you set up a recovery email but cannot remember what it is, go to account.microsoft.com and try logging in with your username or phone number instead. If that does not work, use the "Can't access your account?" option and select the phone number recovery method if you have one set up. If you have neither, you will need to verify ownership through Microsoft's account recovery process.
What if someone else has access to my recovery email or phone number?
Change your recovery email and phone number when ready at account.microsoft.com/security. If you are already locked out, use the account recovery process to regain access, then change these details right away. Consider whether the person who has access should have it — if not, change your email password and enable two-factor authentication on your email account.
How long does it take to reset a password through Microsoft's account recovery?
If you have a recovery email or phone number set up, you can reset your password in minutes. If you need to verify ownership through Microsoft, the process typically takes a few hours, though it can be faster if Microsoft can quickly confirm your identity. In rare cases, it may take up to 24 hours.
Can I use someone else's computer to reset my password?
Yes. Go to account.microsoft.com on any web browser and use the password reset process. You do not need to be at your own computer. Just make sure you log out when you are done, and do not save your password in the browser.
What if I set up a password reset disk but I cannot find it?
If you cannot locate the disk, you will need to use another recovery method: your recovery email, phone number, security questions, or Microsoft's account recovery process. You can create a new password reset disk anytime by searching for "Create a password reset disk" in the Start menu, but you will need to know your current password to do so.