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 use a Microsoft account or a local account, and whether you have access to a recovery email or phone number. Microsoft accounts (the kind that sync across devices) can be reset online from any computer. Local accounts (password-only, no email tied to them) require either a password reset disk you made earlier, or access to another admin account on the same machine.

The methods below work on any Windows 10 device. None of them require special software or technical knowledge, though some take longer than others. If you are locked out of a work or school computer, contact your IT department first — they may have their own recovery process.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account passwords can be reset from the Windows login screen by clicking "I forgot my password" and verifying your identity through email or phone.
  • Local account passwords require either a password reset disk created before you forgot the password, or access to another admin account on that computer.
  • If you have no recovery method set up, you can use another admin account to create a new password reset disk for future use.
  • Windows 10 also allows you to add a new local admin account from the Settings menu if you can access the computer at all.

Resetting a Microsoft account password from the login screen

On the Windows 10 login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using the recovery email or phone number attached to your Microsoft account. You will receive a code by email or text message, and after entering it, you can set a new password when ready.

This method works from any computer with an internet connection — you do not need to be at the locked machine. Once you have set the new password, return to your Windows 10 computer and log in with it. The new password syncs to your account within a few minutes.

Using a password reset disk if you created one earlier

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, insert it into the locked computer. On the login screen, click "Reset password" below the password field. Windows will walk you through selecting the disk and creating a new password. This takes about two minutes and works offline — you do not need internet access.

If you do not have a reset disk but have access to another admin account on the same computer, you can create one now. Log in with the other account, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to "Password reset disk", and follow the prompts. You will need a USB drive. Once created, use it on the locked account as described above.

Creating a new admin account if you have any access

If you can log in with a different admin account on the same computer, you can create a new local account and set it as admin. Open Settings > Accounts > Other people, click "Add someone else to this PC", and choose "I don't have this person's sign-in information". Select "Add a user without a Microsoft account" and create a username and password you will remember.

After the new account is created, go back to Settings > Accounts > Other people, select the new account, and click "Change account type". Set it to Administrator. You can then log in with this new account. If you need to access files from the old account, they remain in the Users folder on the C: drive, though you may need to adjust folder permissions to open them.

Recovering a Microsoft account password online

If you do not have a reset disk and cannot access another account on the computer, you can reset your Microsoft account password from any other device. Go to account.microsoft.com/security on a phone, tablet, or another computer. Click "Security" and then "Change password". Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number.

After you reset the password online, wait a few minutes, then return to your locked Windows 10 computer and try logging in with the new password. If the password does not work when ready, restart the computer and try again. Microsoft account passwords can take up to 15 minutes to sync to offline devices.

What to do if you have no recovery method set up

If you have no recovery email, no phone number on file, no reset disk, and no other admin account, you have limited options. For a Microsoft account, you can contact Microsoft support through account.microsoft.com/security and provide proof of identity (usually a photo ID and a recent bill). This process can take several days.

For a local account with no recovery method, the only reliable option is to reinstall Windows 10 using installation media on a USB drive. This erases all files on the C: drive but allows you to set up a new account. You can read Windows 10 installation media for free from Microsoft's website using another computer. This is a last resort and should only be done if you have backed up your files elsewhere or are willing to lose them.

Preventing this from happening again

Once you regain access, create a password reset disk when ready. For a local account, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and scroll to "Password reset disk". For a Microsoft account, add a recovery email and phone number at account.microsoft.com/security. Both take less than five minutes and save you hours of trouble later.

Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store your Windows password securely. These programs can also generate strong passwords that are harder to forget because you do not have to remember them — the manager does. If you use a Microsoft account, enable two-factor authentication so that even if someone learns your password, they cannot log in without a code from your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without a recovery email or phone number?

For a Microsoft account, no — you will need to contact Microsoft support with proof of identity, which takes several days. For a local account, you need either a password reset disk or access to another admin account. If you have neither, reinstalling Windows is the only option.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password through any of the methods above leaves all your files intact. Only a full Windows reinstall deletes files, and only if you choose to erase the drive during setup.

How long does it take to reset a Microsoft account password?

If you have a recovery email or phone number, you can reset it in minutes from the login screen or from account.microsoft.com. The new password syncs to your computer within 15 minutes. If you contact Microsoft support, the process takes several days.

What if I remember part of my password but not all of it?

Windows does not have a "hint" feature that reveals your password. You must use one of the recovery methods above: reset disk, recovery email, recovery phone, or another admin account. Partial passwords do not work.

Can I reset someone else's password on their computer?

Only if you have admin access to that computer or access to their Microsoft account recovery email or phone. If you do not have either, you cannot reset their password — this is a security feature to prevent unauthorized access.