The fastest way depends on what you remember and what you set up before
If you can still sign in to your Microsoft account online, you can reset your Windows password from any web browser, even on a phone or another computer. If you cannot access your Microsoft account, or if you use a local account instead, you have other routes — but they take longer and require either a password reset disk you made earlier, another admin account on the same computer, or access to the Windows installation media.
The method that works fastest for you depends on three things: whether your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft account, whether you have a password reset disk, and whether another person with admin rights can help you on that computer.
Key Takeaways
- If you use a Microsoft account and can reach another device, you can reset your password online at account.microsoft.com and sign back in within minutes.
- A password reset disk created before you forgot your password is the fastest local fix, but only if you still have the USB drive or floppy disk you saved it to.
- If another admin account exists on your computer, that person can create a new password for you without erasing your files.
- Windows installation media can reset a local account password, but requires a blank USB drive and takes 20 to 30 minutes to set up.
- If you use Windows 11 or 10 and have a phone number or backup email on file with Microsoft, you may be able to reset your account without leaving your computer.
Resetting a Microsoft account password from another device
Go to account.microsoft.com on any web browser — phone, tablet, or another computer. Click "Sign in" and then "Can't access your account?" at the bottom. Enter the email address or phone number tied to your Microsoft account.
Microsoft will ask you to prove you own the account. You can choose to receive a code by email, text message, or a call to a phone number on file. Enter the code when it arrives. Then create a new password — it must be at least 8 characters and include uppercase, lowercase, and a number or symbol.
Once you have reset your password online, go back to your locked Windows computer and sign in with your new password. Your files stay exactly where they were.
Using a password reset disk if you made one before
Insert the USB drive or floppy disk you created as a password reset disk into your computer. On the Windows sign-in screen, click "Reset password" below the password field. Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the disk.
This method works even if you cannot reach Microsoft's servers or if your account is local rather than linked to Microsoft. The disk itself is not encrypted — anyone with physical access to it can reset your password — so keep it in a safe place.
If you do not have a reset disk and did not create one before, this route is closed to you now. You cannot create a password reset disk after you have forgotten your password.
Having another admin account holder reset it for you
If another person with an admin account on your computer is present, they can create a new password for you without erasing your files or programs. They sign in with their own account, then go to Settings > Accounts > Other people. They select your account name and click "Reset password." They create a new temporary password and give it to you.
You then sign in with that temporary password and when ready change it to something only you know. Your files, programs, and settings remain untouched.
This method requires the other person to be physically present at the computer and to remember their own password. If no other admin account exists on the computer, this option is not available.
Using Windows installation media to reset a local account
If you use a local account (not linked to Microsoft) and have no password reset disk, you can use Windows installation media to reset your password. You will need a blank USB drive at least 8 GB in size and access to another computer with internet.
On the other computer, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows and read the Windows installation tool that matches your version (Windows 10 or Windows 11). Run the tool, select "Create installation media for another PC," and follow the prompts to write the installation files to your USB drive. This takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Insert the USB drive into your locked computer and restart it. Press the key that opens the boot menu — usually F12, Esc, or Del, depending on your computer's brand — and select the USB drive. When the Windows setup screen appears, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt. Type the commands to reset your password (the exact commands vary by Windows version, so search for "reset local account password command prompt" and your Windows version number). Once the password is reset, restart normally and sign in.
This method is more technical than the others and takes 20 to 30 minutes total. It works only if you can access another computer and have a blank USB drive.
What to do if you cannot use any of these methods
If you have no password reset disk, no other admin account, no access to another computer, and cannot reach your Microsoft account, your options narrow significantly. You cannot reset the password yourself without erasing the entire Windows installation and losing your files.
Contact the computer manufacturer's support line — Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others have account recovery processes for their own machines. They may ask for proof of ownership. Some will walk you through a reset; others may require you to mail the computer in.
If the computer is a work or school machine, contact your IT department or help desk. They have tools to reset passwords for accounts on their network.
Preventing this from happening again
Create a password reset disk now, while you can still sign in. On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > "I forgot my password" and follow the prompts. Save the disk to a USB drive and store it somewhere safe — a drawer at home, a safe, or a trusted friend's house.
If you use a Microsoft account, make sure your recovery email and phone number are current. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and check "Security info" under your account settings. Add or update a phone number and backup email address. This way, if you forget your password, you can reset it from any device in minutes.
Write your password down and store it securely — 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 account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my Windows password without losing my files?
Yes, if you use any method other than a full Windows reinstall. Resetting your password through Microsoft's website, using a password reset disk, or having another admin account holder reset it all leave your files untouched. Only a complete Windows reinstall erases your files.
What if I do not remember the email address or phone number linked to my Microsoft account?
Check any email accounts you use regularly for a welcome message from Microsoft when you first set up Windows. The message will show which email is linked to your account. If you cannot find it, contact Microsoft Support directly — they can verify your identity through other means and help you recover your account.
How long does it take to reset my password using installation media?
Plan for 20 to 30 minutes total: 10 to 15 minutes to create the installation media on another computer, and 10 to 15 minutes to run the reset commands on your locked computer. The exact time depends on your internet speed and how familiar you are with command-line tools.
Is it safe to store my password in a password manager?
Yes, if the password manager itself is encrypted and you use a strong master password. Bitwarden, 1Password, and KeePass all encrypt your stored passwords. The trade-off is that you must remember your master password — if you forget it, you cannot recover your stored passwords.
Can someone else reset my Windows password without my permission?
Only if they have physical access to your computer and either know another admin password, have your password reset disk, or can restart your computer with Windows installation media. If you are concerned about unauthorized access, enable Windows Hello (fingerprint or face recognition) or a PIN in addition to your password, and keep your computer physically find.