The fastest way back in: use your Microsoft account

If you signed into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account (the email address you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), you can reset your password from the login screen without needing a recovery disk or another computer. Click "I forgot my password" on the login screen, and Windows will walk you through verifying your identity using a phone number or backup email address you set up with that account.

Microsoft will send you a code to that phone or email. Enter the code, create a new password, and you're back in. This works even if you can't remember the old password at all. The whole process takes about five minutes if you have access to the phone number or email address tied to your account.

If you don't see "I forgot my password" on your login screen, your account may be a local account instead of a Microsoft account. Local accounts don't have this option built in, and you'll need to use one of the methods below.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account holders can reset directly from the login screen by clicking "I forgot my password" and verifying their identity through email or phone.
  • Local account passwords require a password reset disk created beforehand, or access to another administrator account on the same computer.
  • If you have neither a reset disk nor another admin account, you can use a bootable Windows installation media and the command prompt to reset the password.
  • Windows password hints you set up during account creation may remind you of the password without requiring a full reset.

Resetting a local account password with a password reset disk

A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you create ahead of time, before you get locked out. If you made one when you first set up Windows, plug it in at the login screen, click "Reset password", and Windows will guide you through creating a new one. You don't need to remember the old password.

If you never created a reset disk and don't have one, this method won't work for you. You'll need to try another approach. Creating a reset disk now won't help you get in—it only works if you made it before you forgot the password.

Using another administrator account on the same computer

If someone else on your household uses the same computer and has an administrator account, they can reset your password for you. Have them log in with their account, open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Other people". They'll find your account in the list and can click "Reset password" without needing your old password.

This only works if the other account has administrator rights. A standard user account can't reset another account's password. If you're not sure whether an account is an administrator, the person using it can check by opening Settings, going to Accounts, and looking at the account type listed under their name.

Resetting the password using Windows installation media and command prompt

If you don't have a reset disk and no other administrator account exists on the computer, you can use a Windows 10 installation disk or USB drive to access the command prompt and reset your password. You'll need another computer to create the installation media first.

On another computer, read the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. Run it, choose "Create installation media for another PC", and follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive. Then plug that USB drive into your locked computer, restart it, and press the key that opens the boot menu (usually F12, Esc, or Del—the exact key appears briefly on the startup screen).

Select the USB drive from the boot menu. When the Windows setup screen appears, press Shift + F10 to open the command prompt. Type the command net user [your username] [new password], replacing [your username] with your actual account name and [new password] with what you want the new password to be. Press Enter, and Windows will reset your password when ready. Restart the computer and log in with your new password.

This method works but requires technical steps. If you're not comfortable using the command prompt, consider asking someone with more experience to help you through it, or contact a local computer repair shop.

Checking your password hint before resetting

Before you reset your password, look at the login screen carefully. Below the password field, you may see a hint you created when you first set up the account. This hint is meant to jog your memory without giving away the actual password. If the hint reminds you what your password is, you can just log in normally without resetting anything.

Hints are optional and many people skip them, so you may not see one. If there's no hint or it doesn't help, move on to one of the reset methods above.

What to do if none of these methods work

If you don't have a reset disk, no other administrator account exists, and you can't create installation media, your options are limited. Some third-party password recovery tools claim to reset Windows passwords, but many require you to buy them first, and their effectiveness varies widely. Before spending money, contact Microsoft Support or a local computer repair shop to discuss what's possible with your specific situation.

Going forward, set up a Microsoft account if you haven't already—it gives you the "I forgot my password" option on the login screen. If you use a local account, create a password reset disk and store it somewhere safe. These steps take just a few minutes and can save you hours of trouble later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password if I don't remember the email address or phone number for my Microsoft account?

If you can't access the email or phone number tied to your Microsoft account, you won't be able to use the "I forgot my password" option on the login screen. You'll need to use a password reset disk, another administrator account, or installation media with command prompt access instead.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password only changes the password itself. Your documents, photos, and programs stay exactly where they are. You'll be able to access everything once you log in with the new password.

What's the difference between a local account and a Microsoft account?

A local account is stored only on your computer. A Microsoft account is tied to an email address and syncs across devices. Microsoft accounts have the "I forgot my password" option at the login screen; local accounts don't. You can check which type you have by opening Settings and going to Accounts.

Can I reset someone else's password without their permission?

Only if you have administrator rights on that computer. If you do, you can reset their password through Settings, but they'll know it was changed when they try to log in. This is by design—Windows doesn't allow one person to secretly change another person's password.

How long does it take to reset a Windows password?

If you use the Microsoft account method, it takes about five minutes. Using a password reset disk takes a few minutes. Using installation media and command prompt takes longer—usually 15 to 30 minutes if you're doing it for the first time, since you need to create the media on another computer first.