The fastest way back in depends on what you remember

If you've forgotten your Windows 10 password, you have several paths forward — but the one that works depends on whether you're signed into a Microsoft account or a local account, whether you have a recovery email on file, and whether you set up a PIN or security questions as a backup. The fastest route for most people is the password reset screen that appears on the login page itself, which can send a code to your recovery email in seconds. If that doesn't work, a local account holder can use a password reset disk created before the lockout, or answer security questions if they were set up. For accounts that are completely locked with no recovery method in place, you'll need either a second administrator account on the machine or a Windows installation disk.

The method you choose also depends on how much time you have and what equipment you have access to. Some routes take five minutes. Others take several hours and require a second computer. This section walks you through each option in order of speed, so you can start with the fastest method that matches your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account holders can reset their password directly from the Windows login screen by clicking "I forgot my password" and receiving a code at their recovery email address.
  • Local account users need either a password reset disk created beforehand, answers to security questions, or a second administrator account to regain access.
  • If you have no recovery method in place and no second admin account, you will need a Windows 10 installation disk or USB drive and several hours to reset the machine.
  • The password reset process is different from a factory reset — you keep your files and programs when you reset a forgotten password.
  • Setting up a recovery email, PIN, or security questions now prevents this problem from happening again.

Resetting a Microsoft account password from the login screen

If your Windows 10 account is linked to a Microsoft email address (outlook.com, hotmail.com, gmail.com, or another email you registered with Microsoft), you can reset your password without leaving the login screen. Click "I forgot my password" beneath the password field. Windows will ask you to enter your Microsoft account email address and then present you with options to verify your identity — usually a code sent to your recovery email or phone number.

Enter the code you receive, then create a new password. The new password takes effect when ready, and you'll be logged in. This method works even if you can't remember anything except your email address. If you don't have access to your recovery email or phone number, you can answer security questions instead — but only if you set them up before you locked yourself out. The entire process usually takes under five minutes.

Using a password reset disk for a local account

A local account is one that exists only on your computer, not tied to Microsoft or any online service. If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it now. Insert the disk (or USB drive) into your computer, click "Reset password" on the login screen, and follow the wizard. Select the disk when prompted, create a new password, and restart. You'll be logged in within a few minutes.

If you don't have a reset disk and didn't create one, you cannot create one now — the option only appears when you're already logged in. You'll need to move to one of the other methods below. This is why creating a reset disk as soon as you set up your local account is worth the two minutes it takes.

Answering security questions if you set them up

When you created your local account, Windows may have asked you to set up security questions (such as "What was the name of your first pet?" or "In what city were you born?"). If you answered these questions, you can use them to reset your password. On the login screen, enter any password, and after it fails, click "Reset password." Windows will display your security questions. Answer them correctly, and you'll be able to create a new password.

This method only works if you actually set up security questions when you created the account. Many users skip this step, in which case you'll need a different approach. If you do remember your answers, this route takes about five minutes and requires nothing but your computer.

Using a second administrator account on the same computer

If another person in your household uses the same computer with an administrator account, they can reset your password without needing any recovery method. Have them log in with their account, open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Other people." They'll see your account listed. Click your account, then click "Change password." They can set a new password for you without knowing the old one. You'll be able to log in with the new password on your next restart.

This method requires that the other account has administrator privileges. Standard user accounts cannot reset other accounts' passwords. If the second account is also locked, or if no one else uses the computer, you'll need to use the installation disk method instead.

Resetting Windows 10 with an installation disk or USB drive

If you have no recovery email, no reset disk, no security questions, and no second administrator account, you'll need a Windows 10 installation disk or bootable USB drive. You can create one on another computer using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (available free from Microsoft's website). Boot your locked computer from the disk or USB, select "Repair your computer," then "Troubleshoot," then "Reset this PC." Choose "Keep my files" to preserve your documents and programs while resetting your password.

This process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your computer's speed and how much data it holds. You'll need another computer to create the installation media, and the process will restart your machine multiple times. After completion, you'll be able to set up a new password and log in. This is the slowest method, but it works on any Windows 10 computer regardless of account type or recovery settings.

What not to do: avoiding scams and data loss

Do not read password recovery software from the internet, especially from pop-up ads or unfamiliar websites. Many of these programs are malware designed to steal your data or lock your computer further. Do not pay anyone to reset your password remotely unless they are employed by Microsoft or a computer repair shop you've visited in person. Do not attempt to remove your hard drive and access it from another computer unless you're comfortable with hardware — you risk damaging the drive or losing data.

If you're selling or giving away your computer, do not straightforward reset the password. Instead, perform a full factory reset (which erases everything) or use the "Remove everything" option in Settings to may support your personal files are not accessible to the next user. This protects your privacy and prevents someone else from using your old files or stored passwords.

Setting up recovery options now to prevent lockout later

Once you're back in, spend 10 minutes setting up backup ways to get in next time. For a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and add a recovery email and phone number under "Security info." For a local account, open Settings, go to Accounts, select your account, and click "Create a password reset disk" — save it to a USB drive in a safe place. You can also set up a PIN (Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN) as a backup method that doesn't rely on remembering a long password.

If you use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, store your Windows password there as well. This gives you a written record you can access from another device if you forget. The goal is to have at least two ways to get back in — so if one method fails, you have a backup ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password if I don't remember my email address?

If you have a Microsoft account but can't remember the email, you're locked out of the online reset method. Your only options are a password reset disk (if you created one), security questions (if you set them up), or a second administrator account. If you have none of these, you'll need a Windows installation disk.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting a forgotten password keeps all your files, programs, and settings intact. A password reset is different from a factory reset, which erases everything. When you use the installation disk method, make sure you select "Keep my files" during the reset process.

How long does it take to reset a password with an installation disk?

The process typically takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how much data is on your computer and how fast your hardware is. The computer will restart several times. You'll need the disk or USB drive the entire time, so don't remove it until the process is complete.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password and don't have a recovery email?

Go to account.microsoft.com on another device and click "Can't access your account." Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number, alternate email, or security questions. Once verified, you can reset your Microsoft password, and that new password will work on your Windows 10 computer.

Can I use someone else's administrator account to reset my password permanently?

Yes. A second administrator can reset your password, and the new password is permanent. You'll own that password going forward — they cannot change it again without your permission. However, if they have physical access to your computer, they can always reset it again using the same method.