The fastest way back in depends on what you remember
If you forgot your Windows password, you have a working path back into your computer — but which one depends on whether you set up a password reset disk, linked your account to an email address, or have another user account on the machine. The quickest route for most people is the password reset screen itself, which appears when you enter the wrong password three times. If that does not work, a password reset disk (if you made one) gets you in within minutes. Without either of those, you will need to use your Microsoft account email or a local administrator account, and the process takes longer.
The method you choose also depends on whether you have access to another device right now. If you do, resetting through your Microsoft account email is often faster than any method that requires you to stay at the locked computer. If you do not have another device available, the password reset screen or a reset disk are your best options.
Key Takeaways
- The Windows login screen offers a "Reset password" link after three wrong attempts, which works if you set up security questions or linked your account to an email address.
- A password reset disk created before you forgot the password is the fastest recovery method and works even if you have no other account on the machine.
- If your account is linked to a Microsoft email, you can reset your password from another device and sign back in without touching the computer itself.
- A second administrator account on the same computer lets you create a new password for the locked account, but only if that second account still works.
- If none of these options exist, you will need to reinstall Windows, which erases everything on the drive.
Using the password reset screen on your computer
When you enter an incorrect password on the Windows login screen, a message appears saying the password is wrong. Enter a wrong password two more times — three total — and a link labeled "Reset password" will appear below the password field. Click it.
This link only works if you set up security questions when you created your account, or if your account is connected to a Microsoft email address. If you see the link, Windows will ask you to answer the security questions you chose during setup (such as "What was the name of your first pet?") or send a code to your linked email address. Answer the questions correctly or retrieve the code from your email, and Windows will let you create a new password when ready.
If the "Reset password" link does not appear, you did not set up either security questions or a linked email address. Move to the next method.
Using a password reset disk if you created one
A password reset disk is a USB drive you create in advance, before you forget your password. If you made one, plug it into your computer now. On the Windows login screen, click "Reset password" (or if that link does not appear, look for a link that says "I forgot my password"). Windows will ask you to insert the reset disk, and it will let you create a new password without answering any questions.
If you do not remember creating a reset disk, you probably did not make one. Check any USB drives you have lying around by plugging them in one at a time — if one of them works, Windows will recognize it automatically. If none of them work, move to the next method.
Resetting your password from another device using your Microsoft account
If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft email address (you can check this by looking at the account name on the login screen — if it is an email address, it is a Microsoft account), you can reset your password from any other computer or phone without touching the locked machine.
Go to account.microsoft.com on another device and click "Sign in". Enter your Microsoft email address. When it asks for your password, click "Forgot my password?" and follow the steps to verify your identity — Microsoft will send a code to your backup email or phone number. Once you verify, you can create a new password. Return to your locked Windows computer, and sign in with your email address and your new password.
This method works even if you have no other account on the computer and never created a reset disk. The only requirement is that your account was linked to a Microsoft email when you set it up.
Using another administrator account on the same computer
If another person uses your computer and has their own administrator account, they can create a new password for your account without knowing the old one. Have that person sign in with their account, then open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings". Click "Accounts", then "Other people", then "Add someone else to this PC". Find your account in the list, click it, and select "Change password". They can then create a new password for you without entering the old one.
This only works if the other account is still accessible and has administrator rights. If you are the only person who uses the computer, or if the other account is also locked, this method will not work. In that case, you will need to try one of the earlier methods or move to the final option.
What to do if none of these methods work
If you did not create a password reset disk, your account is not linked to a Microsoft email, you have no other working account on the computer, and the "Reset password" link does not appear on the login screen, you will need to reinstall Windows. This erases everything on your hard drive — all your files, programs, and settings — and returns the computer to factory condition.
To reinstall Windows, you need another computer to read the Windows installation tool from microsoft.com/software-read/windows. Follow Microsoft's steps to create a bootable USB drive, plug it into your locked computer, restart the computer, and boot from the USB drive. The installation process will guide you through wiping the drive and reinstalling Windows. You will then set up a new account with a new password.
Before you do this, check whether your computer manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others) offers a recovery tool specific to your model — some manufacturers provide an easier path that does not require a second computer. Search for "[your computer brand] password recovery" to see what options exist.
Preventing this from happening again
Once you are back in your computer, create a password reset disk when ready so you never face this situation again. Press the Windows key, type "Create a password reset disk", and follow the steps. You will need a USB drive. Store it somewhere safe — not in the same place as your computer, because if someone steals both, the disk becomes useless as a security measure.
You should also verify that your account is linked to a Microsoft email address. Open Settings, click "Accounts", and look at the top of the page. If you see an email address, your account is linked. If you see a local account name (like "Marcus" instead of an email), click "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead" and follow the steps to link your account to an email address you check regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my password if I do not have another computer?
Yes, if your account is linked to a Microsoft email address. Use any smartphone, tablet, or computer that belongs to someone else to visit account.microsoft.com, reset your password, and then return to your locked computer and sign in with the new password. You do not need physical access to another Windows machine.
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Resetting your password through any of the first four methods in this guide leaves all your files, programs, and settings exactly as they are. Only a full Windows reinstallation erases your drive, and that is a last resort when no other method works.
What if I remember part of my password but not all of it?
Windows does not have a "hint" feature that shows you what you typed. Your best option is to use the "Reset password" link on the login screen (if it appears) or a password reset disk (if you created one). Guessing will eventually lock you out after too many wrong attempts, so do not spend time trying partial passwords.
Can a technician unlock my computer without erasing it?
Yes. A local computer repair shop can use specialized tools to reset your password without reinstalling Windows, though this costs money and requires you to trust them with physical access to your machine. This is worth considering only if you have no other option and the data on your computer is valuable to you.
Do I need to buy anything to reset my password?
No. All the methods described here use tools built into Windows or free services from Microsoft. The only cost is if you choose to take your computer to a repair shop, which is optional.