How you reset a Windows password depends on the type of account. If you sign in with a Microsoft account (an email address), click I forgot my password on the sign-in screen, or go to account.live.com/password/reset on any device, verify your identity, and choose a new password. If you use a local account, click Reset password after a wrong attempt and answer your security questions, use a password reset disk, or have another administrator on the PC set a new password for you.
These methods work for Windows 11 and Windows 10. Here’s each one, step by step, plus what to do if none of them work.
Which type of account do you have?
| Account type | How to tell | How to reset |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft account | The sign-in screen shows an email address | Reset online |
| Local account | The sign-in screen shows only a name | Security questions, reset disk, or another admin |
| Work or school account | Signs in with your organization’s email | Your IT department’s reset tool |
Method 1: Reset a Microsoft account password
- On the sign-in screen, click I forgot my password. Or on another device, go to account.live.com/password/reset.
- Enter your Microsoft account email and complete the check.
- Choose how to get a security code, such as by email or text, and enter it.
- Create a new password.
- Sign in to your PC with the new password. Make sure the PC is connected to the internet.
Method 2: Reset a local account password with security questions
- Type a wrong password once, then click Reset password below the box.
- Answer the security questions you set up.
- Enter and confirm a new password.
Method 3: Use a password reset disk
If you created a password reset USB drive in the past, insert it, click Reset password on the sign-in screen, and follow the wizard.
Method 4: Have another administrator reset it
- Sign in with another administrator account on the same PC.
- Press Windows key + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
- Select the locked account, click Reset Password, and enter a new password.
An administrator can also run net user AccountName NewPassword in an admin Command Prompt. See how to reset a Windows 10 administrator password with Command Prompt.
If nothing else works: reset Windows
If you can’t sign in with any account and can’t reset the password, reinstall Windows. On the sign-in screen, hold Shift and click Power > Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything. This deletes files on the PC, so it’s a last resort. Files backed up to OneDrive or another drive are safe.
For more options when you can’t sign in at all, see how to reset a Windows 10 password without logging in.
Tips to avoid getting locked out again
- Set up a PIN or Windows Hello in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Keep your Microsoft account recovery email and phone number up to date.
- For local accounts, create a password reset disk: search Create a password reset disk in the Start menu.
- Keep a second administrator account on shared PCs.
Related: Regain access to a Windows 10 admin account.
Related: Get back into Windows 10 if you forgot your password.
Frequently asked questions
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Methods 1 through 4 keep your files. Only Reset this PC with “Remove everything” deletes them.
Can I reset a Windows password without an internet connection?
For local accounts, yes, with security questions, a reset disk, or another admin. Microsoft accounts need internet on at least one device.
What if I forgot my PIN, not my password?
Click I forgot my PIN on the sign-in screen and verify with your account password.
Can someone else’s admin reset my Microsoft account password?
No. A Microsoft account password can only be reset online through Microsoft.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.