The fastest way depends on whether you remember any password at all

If you remember your Microsoft account password, you can reset your Windows login from the sign-in screen itself — no special tools needed. If you do not remember any password and cannot sign in, you have two main paths: use another admin account on the same computer, or use a password reset disk if you made one before you forgot the password. If neither of those exists, you will need to reinstall Windows, which erases everything on the drive.

The method that works for you depends on what you set up before the lockout happened. Most people find out too late that they should have created a password reset disk or linked their account to a Microsoft email address. This guide walks through each scenario in the order you should try them.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your Microsoft account email and its password, click "I forgot my password" on the Windows sign-in screen and reset it through Microsoft's website.
  • If another person has an admin account on the same computer, they can reset your password through Settings without needing your old one.
  • A password reset disk created before you forgot the password will let you create a new one at the sign-in screen, even if you have no other admin accounts.
  • If none of these explore, reinstalling Windows is the only option, and it will erase all files on the drive unless you back them up first.
  • Windows 11 and Windows 10 use the same reset methods, but the exact screen layouts differ slightly.

Resetting through your Microsoft account email

On the Windows sign-in screen, look for the text "I forgot my password" or a question mark icon below the password field. Click it. Windows will ask you to enter your Microsoft account email address — the one you use to sign into Windows, not a local account name.

You will then be sent a code to that email address or to a phone number linked to your account. Enter the code on the screen, and Microsoft will let you create a new password. Once you do, you can sign into Windows with the new password when ready.

This method works only if you set up Windows with a Microsoft account (not a local account) and if you still have access to that email address or phone number. If your email account is also locked, you will need to recover that first through Microsoft's account recovery page before you can reset Windows.

Using another admin account on the same computer

If someone else uses the computer and has an admin account, they can reset your password without knowing your old one. They should sign in with their own account, then go to Settings, select Accounts, and choose "Other people" or "Family and other users" depending on Windows version.

They will see a list of accounts on the computer. They should click your account name, then click "Change password" or "Reset password". Windows will ask them to create a new password for you. Once they do, you can sign in with that new password.

This requires that the other person has admin rights on the computer. If everyone on the computer has a standard user account (not admin), this method will not work.

Using a password reset disk you created before

If you created a password reset disk on a USB drive or external drive before you forgot your password, you can use it now. Plug the drive into the computer, go to the Windows sign-in screen, and look for "Reset password" or a key icon. Click it, and Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the reset disk.

The reset disk does not need to be plugged in during normal use — it only matters when you are at the sign-in screen and locked out. If you never created one, this option is not available to you now.

To create a reset disk for the future, sign into Windows, go to Settings, search for "password reset disk", and follow the prompts. You will need a USB drive or external drive with at least 1 GB of space. Keep it in a safe place separate from your computer.

Reinstalling Windows when other methods are not available

If you do not remember your Microsoft account password, no other admin account exists on the computer, and you never created a reset disk, reinstalling Windows is the only way forward. This erases everything on the drive — all files, programs, and settings — and installs a fresh copy of Windows.

To reinstall, you will need another computer to read Windows and create installation media on a USB drive. Go to Microsoft's Windows read page, select your Windows version (10 or 11), and follow the steps to create a bootable USB. Then plug that USB into the locked computer, restart it, and boot from the USB drive. Windows will walk you through the reinstall process.

Before you reinstall, consider whether you can recover files from the drive afterward. If you reinstall Windows, your old files will be moved to a folder called Windows.old, but they may not be readable depending on your setup. If you have important files on the drive, consult a data recovery service before reinstalling.

Preventing lockouts in the future

The best time to prepare for a forgotten password is before you forget it. Create a password reset disk now and store it somewhere safe — a drawer, a safe, or a trusted friend's house. The disk takes five minutes to make and can save you hours of trouble later.

If you use a Microsoft account, write down your email address and keep your recovery email and phone number current in your Microsoft account settings. If you use a local account (not linked to Microsoft), consider switching to a Microsoft account so you have a recovery path through email.

Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass to store your Windows password along with other passwords. A password manager stores encrypted passwords in one place, so you only have to remember one strong master password. If you forget that one, most managers have account recovery options through email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password if I do not have a Microsoft account?

If you set up Windows with a local account (a username and password stored only on your computer), you cannot use the "I forgot my password" link on the sign-in screen. You will need another admin account on the computer, a password reset disk, or you will need to reinstall Windows. Consider switching to a Microsoft account in the future so you have an email-based recovery option.

How long does it take to reset a password through Microsoft?

If you use the "I forgot my password" link and receive a code by email or text, the reset usually takes less than five minutes. If you need to recover your Microsoft email account first because it is also locked, that process can take longer depending on Microsoft's security checks — sometimes a few hours, sometimes a day or more.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password through any method except reinstalling Windows will not delete files. Your documents, photos, and programs stay on the computer. Only reinstalling Windows erases the drive, and that is a last resort when no other method works.

What if I do not remember my Microsoft email password either?

Go to the Microsoft account recovery page on another computer and follow the steps to recover your email account. You will need to verify your identity through a backup email, a phone number, or security questions you set up. Once you recover your email, you can use it to reset your Windows password.

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

No. A password reset disk is tied to the specific account it was created for. You cannot use another person's reset disk to unlock your own account. Each account needs its own reset disk if you want that recovery option.