The fastest way back in depends on what you remember
If you can reach the Windows login screen but cannot remember your password, your fastest route is the password reset link that appears below the password field. Click "I forgot my password" and Windows will walk you through answering security questions or using a recovery email address — this works if you set those up when you created your account. The whole process takes five to ten minutes and you will be back at your desktop.
If that option does not appear, or if you set up your account years ago and cannot remember the answers, you have other paths depending on whether you are using a Microsoft account (the kind that syncs across devices) or a local account (one that exists only on this computer). Each one has a different recovery method, and knowing which type you have saves you an hour of trying the wrong steps.
Key Takeaways
- The "I forgot my password" link on the login screen is the fastest recovery method and works within minutes if you have access to your recovery email or remember your security questions.
- Microsoft accounts can be reset online from another device by visiting account.microsoft.com, while local accounts require either a password reset disk or access to another admin account on the same computer.
- If you have a password reset disk (a USB drive or external drive you created before losing access), insert it at the login screen and follow the Password Reset Wizard.
- Creating a password reset disk now, before you need it, takes two minutes and prevents lockouts from becoming hours-long problems in the future.
Resetting a Microsoft account password from another device
A Microsoft account is the one you use to sign into Windows, OneDrive, Outlook, and other Microsoft services — it is tied to an email address. If you have access to another computer, phone, or tablet, you can reset this password without touching the locked computer at all.
Go to account.microsoft.com on any device with internet access. Click "Sign in" and enter your Microsoft email address. When it asks for your password, click "I forgot my password." Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email address or phone number. Enter that code, create a new password, and you are done. The next time you sit down at the locked computer and enter your new password, you will get in.
This method works because Microsoft stores your account information on its servers, not on your computer. Your computer checks your password against Microsoft's records every time you log in. Change the password on Microsoft's end, and the computer accepts the new one when ready.
Using a password reset disk if you created one before
If you created a password reset disk in the past — a USB drive or external hard drive where Windows stored recovery information — you can use it to reset your password without knowing the old one. Insert the disk into the locked computer, and at the login screen, click "Reset password." Windows will detect the disk and open the Password Reset Wizard.
Follow the wizard's prompts to create a new password. You do not need to know the old password, and you do not need internet access. The whole process takes three to five minutes. Once you set the new password, remove the disk and log in normally.
The catch is that you must have created this disk before you lost access. If you did not, this option is not available to you now. However, once you regain access to your account, creating a reset disk takes two minutes and prevents this problem from happening again.
Recovering a local account when you have another admin account
A local account exists only on your computer and is not tied to an email address or Microsoft services. If you have another admin account on the same computer (perhaps a spouse's account, or one you set up years ago), you can use it to reset the forgotten password.
Log in with the other admin account. Open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. Find the account you are locked out of and click it. Select "Reset password." You will not need the old password — Windows lets you set a new one. Click "Next," create the new password, and you are finished. The locked account can now use the new password to log in.
If you do not have another admin account on the computer, this method will not work. You will need to use a password reset disk, or move to the next option.
Starting Windows in Safe Mode to access built-in accounts
Windows includes a built-in Administrator account that is usually hidden. You can sometimes access it by restarting your computer in Safe Mode, though this method is less reliable than the others and works differently depending on your Windows version.
Restart your computer and repeatedly press the F8 key before the Windows logo appears. (On newer computers, you may need to hold Shift while clicking the restart button instead.) Select "Safe Mode" from the menu. If the built-in Administrator account appears on the login screen, click it — it may have no password, or you may be able to reset your account from there.
This method is unpredictable because Microsoft has made the built-in Administrator account harder to access with each Windows version. If Safe Mode does not show an Administrator account, or if the account is password-protected, you will need to try a different recovery method.
Using Windows installation media as a last resort
If none of the above methods work, you can use a Windows installation disk or USB drive to access recovery tools. This is more technical than the other options and takes longer, but it works on almost any computer.
You will need a Windows installation disk or a bootable USB drive created on another computer. Insert it into the locked computer and restart. When prompted, choose to repair your computer instead of installing Windows. From the repair menu, open Command Prompt and use the command-line tool to reset your password or create a new admin account.
The exact commands vary by Windows version, and mistakes at the command line can cause problems. If you are not comfortable with command-line tools, this is a good time to contact a local computer repair shop or a trusted friend who knows Windows well. Most shops can recover a forgotten password in under an hour.
Creating a password reset disk to prevent this in the future
Once you regain access to your account, spend two minutes creating a password reset disk. This is the single best insurance against lockouts. You will never need it if you remember your password, but if you do forget, it will save you hours.
Insert a USB drive into your computer. Open Settings and go to Accounts > Sign-in options. Scroll down to "Password" and click "Add." Windows will ask you to enter your current password, then walk you through creating a reset disk on the USB drive. Label the drive clearly and store it somewhere safe — not in your desk at work, but at home where you can find it if you need it.
You can also create a recovery code through your Microsoft account settings. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Security," and look for "Recovery options." A recovery code is a long string of numbers that Microsoft gives you once — write it down and store it somewhere safe, separate from your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have access to my recovery email or phone number?
Contact Microsoft Support through account.microsoft.com. You will need to verify your identity by answering security questions or providing other information tied to your account. The process can take a few days, but Microsoft can reset your password once they confirm you own the account.
Can I reset my password if I am not connected to the internet?
Yes, if you have a password reset disk. You can also reset a local account using another admin account on the same computer without internet. However, resetting a Microsoft account online requires internet access on another device.
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Your files, documents, photos, and programs stay on your computer. Resetting your password only changes how you log in — it does not touch anything stored on your hard drive.
What if I forgot my password and the recovery email address is no longer active?
You can add a new recovery email or phone number to your Microsoft account if you can verify your identity another way — through security questions, a recovery code, or by answering questions about your account history. Start at account.microsoft.com and click "Help with your account."
Is there a way to recover my password without resetting it?
No. Windows does not store passwords in a way that lets you recover the original one. You can only reset it to something new. This is a security feature — it prevents someone else from reading your old password if they gain access to your computer.