What "undo password" means and your actual options

When you say you want to undo a password on Windows 10, you usually mean one of three things: you want to remove the password entirely so you can log in without typing anything, you want to change it to something you remember, or you forgot it and need to get back in. Each one has a different path, and the path that works depends on whether you still know the current password and whether you can still log into the computer at all.

If you can still log in and you know your password, removing it or changing it takes about five minutes. If you cannot log in, the process is longer and depends on whether you have a backup administrator account or a password reset disk. This guide walks through each scenario in the order you are most likely to encounter them.

Key Takeaways

  • If you know your current password and can log in, you can remove it entirely through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options in about two minutes.
  • If you forgot your password but have another administrator account on the same computer, you can reset it from that account without losing your files.
  • If you are the only account on the computer and forgot the password, a password reset disk (created before you forgot) is the fastest recovery method.
  • Windows 10 will not let you remove a password if you are signed in with a Microsoft account; you must switch to a local account first.
  • If none of these paths work, you will need to reinstall Windows 10, which erases everything on the drive.

Removing your password when you know it and can log in

This is the simplest scenario. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then select Sign-in options.

Look for the section labeled Password. Click the button that says Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it is really you. Type it in and click Next. On the next screen, leave both the "New password" and "Confirm password" fields blank, then click Next and Finish. The next time you restart your computer, you will be able to log in by clicking your account name without entering anything.

If you see a message saying you cannot remove the password because you are using a Microsoft account, you need to switch to a local account first. Go back to Accounts, select Your info, and look for a link that says Sign in with a local account instead. Follow those steps, then return to Sign-in options and remove the password as described above.

Changing your password to something you remember

If you do not want to remove the password entirely but just want to change it to something easier to remember, the process is almost identical. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Sign-in options, and click Change under the Password section.

Enter your current password when prompted. On the next screen, type your new password in the "New password" field, then type it again in the "Confirm password" field to make sure you did not make a typo. Click Next, then Finish. The new password takes effect the next time you log in.

Resetting a forgotten password from another administrator account

If you forgot your password but another person on the same computer has an administrator account, that person can reset your password without erasing your files. Have the other person log in to their account, then open Settings and go to Accounts. In the left menu, select Other people.

Find your account name in the list and click it. Click the button labeled Reset password. Windows will ask for a security question answer or a PIN if you set one up previously. If you did, the other person will need to answer it. If you did not, Windows may ask them to create a new password for you on the spot. Once they do, you can log in with that temporary password and change it to something you prefer using the steps in the section above.

This method only works if the other account has administrator rights. If you are not sure whether it does, the person should open Settings, go to Accounts, select Your info, and look for the word "Administrator" under the account name.

Using a password reset disk if you created one before

If you created a password reset disk on a USB drive or external drive before you forgot your password, you can use it to regain access. Insert the disk into your computer. On the Windows login screen, click Reset password below the password field. Windows will walk you through a wizard that reads the reset disk and lets you create a new password.

If you do not see a "Reset password" link on the login screen, the disk may not have been created correctly, or Windows may not recognize it. Try unplugging the drive and plugging it back in, or try a different USB port. If it still does not work, you will need to use one of the other methods in this guide.

To create a password reset disk for the future, log in to your account, open Settings, go to Accounts, select Sign-in options, scroll down, and click Create a password reset disk under the Password section. Follow the prompts and keep the disk somewhere safe.

What to do if you cannot log in and have no other options

If you forgot your password, have no other administrator account on the computer, and never created a password reset disk, you have one remaining option: reinstall Windows 10. This erases everything on your hard drive, so it should be your last resort.

You will need another computer to create a Windows 10 installation disk or USB drive. Go to the Microsoft Windows 10 read page on another computer, read the Media Creation Tool, and follow the steps to create installation media on a USB drive. Insert that drive into your locked computer, restart it, and boot from the USB drive (usually by pressing F12, F2, or Delete during startup, depending on your computer model). Follow the Windows installation wizard, and when it asks where to install Windows, select your main drive. This will erase everything and give you a fresh Windows 10 installation with no password set.

Before you do this, try one more thing: restart your computer in Safe Mode and see if you can log in with a blank password or a very common one you might have used. Press the Windows key and R together, type "msconfig", and go to the Boot tab. Check the box for "Safe boot" and click OK. Restart your computer. If this does not work, the reinstall is your only path forward.

Preventing this from happening again

Once you regain access to your account, take a few minutes to set up recovery options so you never get locked out again. Open Settings, go to Accounts, select Your info, and look for a section about recovery options. Add a backup email address and a phone number. Windows can use these to send you a password reset link if you forget your password in the future.

You should also create a password reset disk as described in the section above. Store it somewhere you will remember but where others cannot easily find it. A locked drawer or a safe is ideal. If you have a Microsoft account, make sure you remember the email and password for that account, because you can use them to reset your Windows password from any computer with internet access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove my password if I use a Microsoft account?

Not directly. Microsoft accounts are designed to always have a password for security reasons. You can switch to a local account first (go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and select "Sign in with a local account instead"), then remove the password from the local account. After that, you can switch back to a Microsoft account if you want, but it will require a password again.

What if I see "You do not have permission to change the password"?

This usually means your account does not have administrator rights. Ask someone with an administrator account to give you those rights, or have them reset your password for you using the method described in this guide. If you are the only person with access to the computer, you will need to reinstall Windows.

Will removing my password make my computer less find?

Yes. Without a password, anyone with physical access to your computer can log in and see your files. If your computer stays in a find location where only you have access, this may be acceptable. If it is a laptop or sits in a shared space, keeping a password is strongly recommended.

How long does it take to reinstall Windows 10?

The installation itself usually takes 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your computer's speed and drive type. You will also need time to read Windows 10 on another computer and create the installation media, which can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed.

Can I recover my files if I reinstall Windows?

No. Reinstalling Windows erases your entire drive. If your files are backed up to OneDrive, an external drive, or another cloud service, you can restore them after the reinstall. If they are not backed up, they are gone. This is why reinstalling should be your absolute last resort.