The fastest way back in depends on what you remember

If you have forgotten your Windows 10 password, the path forward depends on whether you remember your Microsoft account email, have a password reset disk, or can access another admin account on the same computer. Microsoft built recovery options into Windows 10 specifically for this situation — you do not need special software or a technician for most cases. The method that works fastest for you is the one that matches what you still have access to.

The three main routes are: using your Microsoft account recovery email, using a password reset disk if you created one before, or using another admin account on the computer. Each one works without erasing your files, and each takes between five minutes and an hour depending on your setup.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember the email address tied to your Microsoft account, you can reset your password from another device and sign back in within minutes.
  • A password reset disk, created before you forgot the password, lets you reset it directly at the Windows login screen without needing another device.
  • If another person on the computer has an admin account and you can ask them for help, they can reset your password from Settings without erasing anything.
  • Windows 10 also offers security questions as a recovery method if you set them up when you created your account.
  • If none of these options are available, you will need to reinstall Windows, which erases all files on the drive.

Using your Microsoft account email to reset the password

This is the fastest method if you remember the email address connected to your Windows 10 account. Go to the Windows password reset page at account.microsoft.com/security/password-reset from any device with internet access — a phone, tablet, or another computer. Enter the email address you use to sign into Windows 10.

Microsoft will send a code to that email address. Check your inbox, copy the code, and paste it into the reset page. You will then create a new password and sign back into your Windows 10 computer with it. This entire process takes about five minutes and does not affect any of your files or programs.

If you do not remember which email address you used, look at the login screen on the Windows 10 computer itself — it usually shows your email or account name. If the account shows a name like "User" or "Administrator" instead of an email, it is a local account, not a Microsoft account, and this method will not work. Move to the next section instead.

Using a password reset disk if you created one

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it directly at the Windows 10 login screen. Insert the disk (usually a USB drive) into the computer, then click "Reset password" on the login screen. Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the disk.

This method works without needing another device or remembering any account details. The entire process takes about ten minutes. After you reset the password, you can remove the disk and sign in normally. The disk itself remains usable for future resets.

If you do not have a reset disk and did not create one before, you cannot create one now — Windows only lets you make a reset disk when you know your current password. You will need to use one of the other methods instead.

Asking another admin account holder to reset your password

If someone else uses the same Windows 10 computer and has an admin account, they can reset your password without erasing your files. They should sign into their own account, then open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. They will see your account listed there with an option to reset the password.

This method takes about five minutes and requires the other person to be physically present at the computer. Your files, programs, and settings remain untouched. After the reset, you can sign in with the new password they create.

This only works if the other account is an admin account. If you are not sure whether the other account has admin rights, the person can check by opening Settings, going to Accounts > Your info, and looking for the word "Administrator" under the account name.

Using security questions if you set them up

When you created your Microsoft account, Windows may have asked you to set up security questions. If you did, you can use the answers to those questions to reset your password from the login screen. Click "I forgot my password" on the login screen and select "I'll use my security questions instead."

Answer the questions correctly, and Windows will let you create a new password. This method works without needing another device, though it only works if you actually set up security questions when you created the account. If you skipped that step, this option will not appear.

What to do if none of these methods work

If you do not remember your Microsoft account email, did not create a reset disk, have no other admin account on the computer, and did not set up security questions, you will need to reinstall Windows 10. This erases all files on the drive, so it should be your last resort.

To reinstall Windows, you need a second computer to create installation media on a USB drive using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. Boot the locked computer from that USB drive and follow the installation steps. The process takes about 30 minutes and results in a blank Windows 10 installation with no files or programs from before.

After reinstalling, you can restore your files from a backup if you have one. If you do not have a backup, the files are not recoverable through Windows itself.

Preventing this from happening again

Once you regain access, create a password reset disk when ready. Open Settings, go to Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to Password, and click Create a password reset disk. Insert a USB drive and follow the steps. Keep this disk in a safe place.

You should also write down your Microsoft account email address and store it somewhere you can find it if you forget your password. If you have not set up security questions, go to account.microsoft.com/security and add them now. These steps take about ten minutes total and save you hours of trouble later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my password erase my files?

No. Resetting your password through any of the methods above — Microsoft account email, reset disk, another admin account, or security questions — leaves all your files, programs, and settings intact. Only a full Windows reinstall erases files, and that is only necessary if none of the other methods work.

What if I do not remember my Microsoft account email address?

Look at the login screen on the Windows 10 computer — it usually displays your email. If it shows a name like "User" or "Administrator" instead, you have a local account, not a Microsoft account. In that case, use the password reset disk method or ask another admin account holder to reset it for you.

Can I reset my password from the login screen without another device?

Yes, if you have a password reset disk or set up security questions before you forgot your password. Both methods work directly at the login screen. If you have neither, you will need another device to access your Microsoft account email or to create Windows installation media.

How long does it take to reset my password?

Using your Microsoft account email takes about five minutes if you have another device. A password reset disk takes about ten minutes. Another admin account holder can reset it in five minutes. A full Windows reinstall takes about 30 minutes plus the time to restore files from backup.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password too?

Go to account.microsoft.com/security/password-reset from any device and use the recovery email or phone number tied to your Microsoft account. You can reset that password separately from your Windows password. Once your Microsoft account password is reset, you can use it to reset your Windows password.