The fastest way back in depends on what you remember
If you have forgotten your Windows password, your path back in depends on whether you remember your Microsoft account email, have a password reset disk from before you locked yourself out, or can access another admin account on the same computer. Windows offers three main routes, and the one that works fastest is the one that matches what you still have access to.
The most common scenario — you remember your Microsoft account email but not your password — can be solved in minutes from the login screen itself. If you set up a security key, phone number, or backup email before you forgot your password, those methods work even faster. If you have none of those, you will need either a password reset disk (a USB drive you created earlier) or access to another admin account on the machine.
Key Takeaways
- If you remember your Microsoft account email, click "I forgot my password" on the Windows login screen and follow the recovery steps using your phone or backup email.
- A password reset disk created before you locked yourself out will let you reset your password from the login screen without needing internet or another account.
- If you have another admin account on the same computer, you can use it to reset the forgotten password through Settings or the command line.
- Local accounts (not linked to Microsoft) can only be reset with a password reset disk or from another admin account — there is no online recovery route.
- Creating a password reset disk or backup recovery options now prevents this problem later and takes less than five minutes.
Reset using your Microsoft account recovery options
On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to enter your Microsoft account email address. From there, you choose how to receive a recovery code: text message to a phone number you registered, email to a backup address, or answers to security questions you set up earlier.
Once you receive the code, enter it on the next screen. Windows will then let you create a new password right there. This entire process takes about five minutes if you have access to your phone or backup email. If you registered a security key (a physical USB device), that option appears first and is the fastest — you just plug it in and Windows unlocks when ready.
This method only works if your account is linked to a Microsoft account. If you set up Windows with a local account (username and password only, no email), this route is not available and you will need to use one of the other methods below.
Use a password reset disk if you created one before
If you created a password reset disk on a USB drive before you forgot your password, plug it into the computer now. On the Windows login screen, click "Reset password" (the exact wording varies by Windows version, but it appears near the password field). Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the disk.
You do not need internet for this method, and it works for both Microsoft accounts and local accounts. The disk itself is not encrypted — anyone with the disk can reset the password — so keep it in a safe place, not in a desk drawer next to the computer.
If you did not create a reset disk before, you cannot create one now while locked out. You will need to use one of the other methods on this page.
Reset from another admin account on the same computer
If another person has an admin account on the same Windows computer, they can reset your password without needing your email or a reset disk. Have them log in with their account, then open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. They will see your account listed. Click your account, then click "Reset password". Windows will ask them to create a new password for you, which you can then change to something only you know the next time you log in.
Alternatively, an admin can open Command Prompt as administrator and type net user [your username] [newpassword], replacing the bracketed parts with your actual username and a temporary password. You can then log in and change it to something you prefer.
This method works for both Microsoft and local accounts. It requires physical access to the computer and an admin account that is not locked out.
Create a password reset disk now to prevent this later
The easiest way to avoid this problem is to set up a password reset disk before you need it. Plug in a USB drive, open Settings, and search for "password reset disk" or "create a password reset disk". Follow the wizard — it takes about three minutes and creates a small file on the drive that Windows can use to unlock you later.
You can also set up backup recovery options in Settings > Accounts > Security options. Add a phone number, backup email, or security questions. Any of these will let you recover your account from the login screen if you forget your password.
If you use a Microsoft account, you can also register a security key — a physical USB device that acts as a second factor. Windows will ask for it during login, making your account much harder to lock yourself out of by accident.
What to do if none of these methods work
If you have no password reset disk, no access to another admin account, and no recovery options set up on a Microsoft account, you will need to reinstall Windows. This erases everything on the drive, so it should be your last resort. You can create Windows installation media on another computer using the Windows Media Creation Tool (available free from Microsoft's website), boot from it, and choose to do a clean install.
Before you do that, check whether the computer is part of a workplace domain. If it is, contact your IT department — they may be able to reset your password remotely without erasing the drive. If the computer is personal and you have important files on it, consider taking it to a local repair shop first to back up your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my password without internet?
Yes, if you have a password reset disk or another admin account on the same computer. Both work completely offline. If you only have a Microsoft account with no reset disk, you will need internet to receive a recovery code by email or text.
What if I remember part of my password but not all of it?
Windows does not have a "hint" system that shows you what you typed. You will need to use one of the reset methods on this page — password reset disk, Microsoft account recovery, or another admin account.
Can I reset someone else's password on my computer?
Only if you have an admin account. If you do, you can reset any other account's password through Settings or Command Prompt. The person whose password you reset can change it to something new the next time they log in.
Is a password reset disk the same as a recovery drive?
No. A password reset disk is a small file that lets you reset a forgotten password. A recovery drive is a bootable USB that lets you repair or reinstall Windows. You need both for full protection, and they are created separately.
What happens to my files if I reinstall Windows?
A clean install erases the entire drive. If you have important files, back them up first using another computer or external drive. If you cannot access your files because you are locked out, a repair shop can usually retrieve them before reinstalling.