The fastest route depends on what you know and what you have

If you have forgotten your password, you have three main paths: use a password reset disk or recovery email if you set one up before you locked yourself out, use another admin account on the same computer, or reset Windows or macOS to factory settings. The first two take minutes. A full reset takes an hour or more and erases everything on the drive unless you have a backup.

Which path works depends on your operating system, whether you set up recovery options beforehand, and whether you have physical access to the computer right now. Start with the fastest option that applies to your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, insert it and follow the on-screen prompts — this works on Windows and takes under five minutes.
  • If you set up a recovery email address or phone number when you created your account, you can reset your password from another device by visiting the login screen and clicking "Forgot password."
  • If another person has an admin account on the same computer, they can create a new password for your account without erasing your files.
  • A full factory reset erases all files, programs, and settings, so use this only after the other three options are not available to you.
  • On a Mac, you can reset your password using your Apple ID if you linked it to your account when you set up the computer.

Using a password reset disk on Windows

A password reset disk is a USB drive or floppy disk you create in advance, before you forget your password. If you made one, this is your fastest option. Insert the disk into the locked computer, click "Reset password" on the login screen, and Windows will walk you through creating a new password.

The reset disk works only on the computer where you created it. If you did not make one before you locked yourself out, this option is not available to you now — you cannot create one after you have forgotten the password.

Resetting your password through email or phone on Windows

When you set up a Windows account, you can link a recovery email address or phone number. If you did, you can reset your password from any other device. Go to the Windows login page at account.microsoft.com, click "Can't access your account," and follow the prompts to verify your identity using the email or phone number you registered.

Windows will send you a code to that email or phone. Enter the code, create a new password, and sign back into your locked computer with the new password. This works whether your account is a local account (stored only on your computer) or a Microsoft account (synced to Microsoft's servers).

If you do not remember which email or phone number you used, or if you no longer have access to that email or phone, you will need to move to another method.

Using another admin account on the same computer

If someone else has an admin account on the same computer, they can reset your password without erasing your files. On Windows, they log in with their account, open Settings, go to Accounts, select your account, and click "Reset password." They do not need to know your old password.

On a Mac, the admin user opens System Settings, goes to General, clicks Users & Groups (or Users & Groups in System Preferences on older versions), selects your account, and clicks the lock icon to unlock it. Then they click "Reset Password" and create a new one for you.

This method preserves all your files and programs. It works only if the other person has admin rights and physical access to the computer.

Resetting your Mac using your Apple ID

If you linked your Apple ID to your Mac account when you first set up the computer, you can reset your password at the login screen. Click "Forgot password," enter your Apple ID, and follow the prompts to verify your identity. Apple will let you create a new password for your Mac account.

If you did not link an Apple ID to your account, or if you have forgotten your Apple ID password as well, you will need to use another method. You can also use Recovery Mode (hold Command and R while the Mac starts up) to reset your password if you remember your Apple ID credentials.

Performing a full factory reset on Windows

If none of the above options work, you can reset Windows to factory settings. This erases all files, programs, and settings on the drive. Do this only if you have a backup of your files elsewhere, or if you are willing to lose everything on the computer.

On Windows 10 or 11, restart the computer and hold Shift while clicking the power button to shut down. Then turn it back on and hold F11 (or F12 on some computers) to enter recovery mode. Select "Reset this PC," choose "Remove everything," and follow the prompts. Windows will ask whether you want to reinstall Windows or keep your current version. Choose to reinstall, and the process will complete in 30 minutes to an hour.

After the reset, you will see the Windows setup screen. Create a new account with a new password. Your old account and all its files will be gone.

Performing a full factory reset on Mac

On a Mac, restart while holding Command and R to enter Recovery Mode. Click "Erase Mac" and select the drive you want to erase. Choose the file system (APFS for newer Macs, Mac OS Extended for older ones) and confirm. The Mac will erase the drive and reinstall macOS.

After the erase and reinstall, you will see the macOS setup screen. Create a new account with a new password. All previous accounts and files will be erased. This process takes 45 minutes to two hours depending on your Mac's speed and the size of the drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password if I do not have access to my recovery email or phone?

Yes, but your options narrow. If another person has an admin account on the same computer, they can reset your password for you. If not, a full factory reset is your remaining option. Before you do that, contact the computer manufacturer or your IT department if this is a work computer — they may have other recovery methods.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No, unless you perform a full factory reset. Using a password reset disk, recovery email, another admin account, or your Apple ID will all let you create a new password while keeping your files intact. Only a factory reset erases everything.

How long does a full factory reset take?

Between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on your computer's speed and how much data is on the drive. Windows resets tend to be faster than Mac resets. During the process, do not turn off the computer or unplug it.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password too?

Go to iforgot.apple.com from another device and reset your Apple ID password using your recovery email or phone number. Once you have access to your Apple ID again, you can use it to reset your Mac password at the login screen.

Can I reset a work computer the same way?

No. Work computers are often managed by your company's IT department, and they may have restrictions that prevent you from using these methods. Contact your IT support team instead — they have tools to reset your password without erasing your files.