What to do if you forgot your password

If you forgot your password and are locked out of Windows 10, your fastest route depends on what you set up when you created the account. Microsoft accounts (the kind linked to an email address) let you reset the password from another device. Local accounts (created only on that computer) require either a password hint you wrote down, a recovery key you saved, or access to another admin account on the same machine.

The key difference: a Microsoft account password reset happens online before you even touch the locked computer. A local account reset usually requires you to be at the computer itself, or to have prepared recovery tools beforehand.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account passwords can be reset from any web browser by going to account.microsoft.com and selecting "Can't access your account", then following the identity verification steps.
  • Local account passwords cannot be reset remotely — you need either a password reset disk created before you were locked out, or access to another admin account on that computer.
  • If you set up security questions or a recovery email when creating your account, Microsoft will ask you to answer them before allowing a password reset.
  • Windows 10 password hints appear on the login screen itself and can jog your memory without requiring a full reset.
  • If you have no recovery method and no other admin account, you will need to reinstall Windows 10, which erases all files on the drive.

Resetting a Microsoft account password online

Go to account.microsoft.com on any computer or phone with internet access. Click "Sign in" and then select "Can't access your account?" at the bottom of the login box. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Windows 10 account.

Microsoft will ask you to prove you own that account. You may be asked to enter a code sent to your recovery email, answer security questions you set up, or verify a code texted to your phone number on file. Once you pass this step, you can create a new password. Return to the locked Windows 10 computer and log in with your new password.

This method works only if you remember the email address or phone number tied to your account, and if you set up at least one recovery method (email, phone, or security questions) when you created the account.

Using a password reset disk for a local account

If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you can use it now. Insert the disk or USB drive into the locked computer. On the login screen, enter any password (it does not have to be correct), and Windows will show a message saying the password is wrong. Click "Reset password" below the error message.

Windows will launch the Password Reset Wizard. Select the reset disk from the list of drives, and the wizard will walk you through creating a new password. Once you finish, you can log in with the new password and remove the disk.

If you never created a reset disk, you cannot use this method. A reset disk must be made while you still have access to the account.

Logging in with another admin account

If someone else created an admin account on the same computer, you can use that account to reset your password. Log in with the other admin account. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Other people" on the left side. Find your account in the list and click it. Select "Reset password" and follow the prompts to create a new password without needing the old one.

This works only if another admin account exists on that specific computer. It does not work if only your account is on the machine, or if the other account is not an admin.

What password hints can tell you

When you created your Windows 10 account, you may have entered a password hint — a clue to help you remember the password, not the password itself. This hint appears on the login screen after you enter a wrong password. Read it carefully; sometimes a hint is enough to jog your memory without needing a full reset.

Hints are visible to anyone at the computer, so they should never contain the actual password or anything too specific. If your hint does not help, you will need to use one of the other recovery methods.

Reinstalling Windows 10 as a last resort

If you have no password reset disk, no other admin account, and no way to verify your Microsoft account identity, you can reinstall Windows 10. This erases all files, programs, and settings on the drive and returns the computer to its factory state. You will need another computer to read Windows 10 installation media onto a USB drive, then boot from that drive on the locked computer.

Before you reinstall, understand that this method destroys all data on the drive. Back up any files you can access from another account first. After reinstalling, you can create a new account and set up Windows from scratch. Your old files will be gone unless you have a separate backup.

This is the slowest and most destructive option, but it works when no other recovery method is available.

Preventing lockout in the future

Once you regain access, take steps to avoid this situation again. For a Microsoft account, make sure your recovery email and phone number are current in your account settings. For a local account, create a password reset disk and store it somewhere safe. Write down your password hint in a place only you can find it. Consider switching to a Microsoft account, which offers more recovery options.

You can also set up Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint login) as an alternative way to unlock your computer without typing a password. This does not replace password recovery, but it reduces how often you need to type the password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password if I do not remember my Microsoft account email?

No. You need the email address or phone number associated with your account to start the reset process on account.microsoft.com. If you cannot remember it, you may be able to find it by checking old receipts, emails from Microsoft, or asking someone who knows your account details.

What if I have a Microsoft account but no recovery email or phone set up?

Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using other methods, such as answering security questions or providing the last four digits of a payment method on file. If you cannot pass any verification step, you may not be able to reset your password remotely and will need to use a local recovery method or reinstall Windows.

Does Windows 10 have a built-in admin account I can use to reset my password?

Windows 10 has a hidden Administrator account, but it is disabled by default and requires another admin account to enable. If your account is the only one on the computer, you cannot access this hidden account without reinstalling Windows.

Can I use someone else's computer to reset my Windows 10 password?

Yes, if your account is a Microsoft account. Go to account.microsoft.com on any computer and follow the password reset steps. Once your password is changed, you can return to your own computer and log in with the new password. This does not work for local accounts.

How long does it take to reinstall Windows 10?

The installation itself takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your computer's speed and internet connection. Downloading Windows 10 installation media beforehand takes 10 to 20 minutes. After installation, you will need to reinstall programs and restore files from a backup, which can take several hours.