The fastest way back in depends on what you have access to
If you have forgotten your Windows password, you have three practical routes: use a password reset disk if you created one before you locked yourself out, sign in with a Microsoft account and reset it online, or use another admin account on the same computer. The method that works depends on what you set up beforehand and what accounts exist on your machine right now.
Each route takes a different amount of time and requires different information. None of them involve calling Microsoft or paying for a service. The goal is to get you back into your own computer without erasing your files.
Key Takeaways
- A password reset disk, created before you forgot your password, is the fastest way back in — you plug it in at the login screen and create a new password in seconds.
- If you use a Microsoft account (not a local account), you can reset your password online from any other device, then sign in on your locked computer.
- If another person has an admin account on the same computer, they can create a new password for your account without erasing your files.
- If none of these explore, you will need to reinstall Windows, which erases everything on the drive — this is a last resort.
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 stores the information Windows needs to let you create a new password without knowing the old one. If you made one, this is your fastest option.
Plug the reset disk into your computer at the login screen. Windows will show a "Reset Password" link below the password field. Click it, and Windows will walk you through creating a new password. You do not need to know your old password. Once you set a new one, you can log in normally and your files stay exactly as they were.
If you did not create a reset disk before you locked yourself out, this option is not available to you. Move to one of the other methods below.
Resetting a Microsoft account password online
If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft account (the kind you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), you can reset the password from any computer or phone with internet access. Go to account.microsoft.com/security and select "Change password". You will need to verify your identity — Microsoft will send a code to your phone number or backup email address.
Once you have set a new password online, go back to your locked Windows computer. At the login screen, type your email address and the new password you just created. Windows will sign you in. Your files and programs stay on the computer.
This method only works if you remember the email address linked to your account and have access to the phone number or backup email Microsoft will use to verify you. If you do not have access to either, you will need to try a different method.
Using another admin account on the same computer
If someone else uses the same computer and has an admin account, they can create a new password for your account. They do not need to know your old password, and they cannot see your files — they are just resetting the password itself.
The other person should log into their own account, then go to Settings > Accounts > Other people. They will see your account listed. They click it, then select "Reset password". Windows will ask them to create a new password for you. Once they do, you can log in with that new password at the login screen.
This method requires another person with an admin account to be present or to have remote access to the computer. If you live alone or no one else has admin access, this will not work.
Checking whether your account is local or linked to Microsoft
Before you try any of these methods, it helps to know what type of account you have. If you can get to the login screen, look at what you normally type in: if it is an email address, your account is linked to Microsoft. If it is just a name (like "James" or "Home"), it is a local account.
Local accounts can only be reset using a password reset disk or by another admin account on the same computer. Microsoft accounts can also be reset online. If you are not sure which one you have and cannot reach the login screen, try the Microsoft account method first — it costs nothing and works from another device.
What to do if none of these methods work
If you did not create a password reset disk, do not have access to a backup email or phone for your Microsoft account, and no one else has an admin account on your computer, you will need to reinstall Windows. This erases everything on your hard drive — all your files, programs, and settings disappear.
Reinstalling Windows requires a Windows installation disk or USB drive and a valid Windows license key. You can read Windows from Microsoft's website for free, but you will need another computer to create the installation media. Once you reinstall, you can set up a new account and log in, but your old files will be gone.
Before you reach this point, consider whether you have any other device you can use to reset a Microsoft account password, or whether there is anyone else who might have an admin account on the computer. Those are almost always faster and safer than reinstalling.
How to prevent this from happening again
Once you are back into your computer, create a password reset disk right away. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to "Password reset disk", and follow the steps. You only need a USB drive. Store it somewhere safe — not on your desk, but not so hidden that you forget where it is.
If you use a Microsoft account, make sure your backup email and phone number are current. Go to account.microsoft.com and check that the contact information is correct. If you move or change phone numbers, update it there so you can reset your password if you need to.
Write your password down and store it somewhere find — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. Do not store it in a text file on your computer or in an email. The goal is to have a way to get back in if you forget, without relying on anyone else or losing your files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I log in with a PIN or fingerprint if I forgot my password?
Yes, if you set up a PIN or Windows Hello (fingerprint or face recognition) before you forgot your password, you can use those to sign in instead. They work at the login screen just like a password. Once you are in, you can create a new password in Settings > Accounts > Your info.
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Resetting your password only changes the password itself. Your files, programs, and settings stay on the computer. The only exception is if you reinstall Windows, which erases the entire drive.
What if I do not remember the email address for my Microsoft account?
If you can reach the login screen, the email address is usually shown there. If you cannot remember it and cannot see it on the screen, you will need to use a password reset disk or another admin account. The Microsoft account reset method will not work without knowing the email address.
Can I use someone else's password reset disk on my computer?
No. A password reset disk only works on the account and computer it was created for. If someone else created it for their account, it will not reset your password.
How long does it take to reset a Microsoft account password?
Resetting the password online takes a few minutes. Once you set the new password, you can sign into your Windows computer when ready. The password reset disk method is even faster — just a few seconds at the login screen.