How to Reset Your Windows Password

Locked out of your Windows computer? The solution depends on what kind of account you have. Microsoft account is easy. Local account is harder. Here's how to tell which and what to do.

First: figure out which account you have

Look at the Windows sign-in screen:

• Email address shown (like name@outlook.com) = Microsoft account — you can reset online
• Just a username = Local account — harder, see below

Reset a Microsoft account password

1. Use another device (phone, tablet, another computer)
2. Go to account.microsoft.com/password
3. Click "Forgot password?"
4. Enter your email or phone number
5. Microsoft sends a verification code to your backup email or phone
6. Enter the code, create a new password
7. On your locked PC, click "I forgot my password" on sign-in screen (or just try the new password)
8. Sign in with the new password. May need to be online (ethernet or Wi-Fi).

If you can't get verification codes

If you've lost access to your backup email/phone:

1. Go to account.live.com/acsr
2. Fill out the Microsoft account recovery form
3. Microsoft reviews it (24-48 hours)
4. If you pass, they restore access

Reset a local account password (Windows 10/11)

Local accounts can't be reset online. Microsoft expects you to have set up security questions or a password reset disk.

If you set up security questions (Windows 10 v1803+):

1. On the sign-in screen, type a wrong password
2. Click "Reset password" link that appears
3. Answer your security questions
4. Create a new password

If you set up a password reset disk:

1. Plug in the USB stick
2. Type a wrong password, click Reset password
3. Follow the wizard

If you have no security questions or reset disk

Microsoft doesn't offer an official way. Your options:

• Reset Windows (keeps your files, removes apps): Hold Shift, click Restart on sign-in screen, Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Keep my files. Loses installed apps but keeps documents.
• Reinstall Windows (loses everything): Boot from a Windows USB installer, do a clean install. Files go to Windows.old folder.
• Use a third-party tool (advanced): Boot from a Linux USB to access files directly. Not for beginners.
• Get professional help: A local repair shop or someone like us can sometimes recover access with technical tools.

After you get back in

Set up these so you don't get stuck again:

• Switch to a Microsoft account (Settings > Accounts > Sign in with a Microsoft account)
• Add a PIN (Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options)
• Add Windows Hello (face or fingerprint)
• Make sure account.microsoft.com has current backup email/phone
• Set up security questions if using local account