You cannot retrieve a forgotten Windows password, but you can reset it

Windows does not store your password in a way that lets you look it up or recover the exact one you set. Instead, Microsoft keeps only a encrypted version. If you have forgotten your password, your only option is to reset it to something new — either through your Microsoft account online, through a security question if you set one up, or by using a local account recovery method.

The path you take depends on whether you use a Microsoft account (which syncs across devices) or a local account (which exists only on that computer). Most Windows 10 and 11 users have a Microsoft account, which makes password recovery simpler because you can reset it from any device with internet access.

Key Takeaways

  • If you use a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com on another device, select "Security" or "Password", and follow the reset steps using your recovery email or phone number.
  • If you use a local account and cannot remember your password, you will need a password reset disk (created beforehand) or access to another administrator account on the same computer.
  • Security questions you set up during account creation can speed up a Microsoft account reset if you do not have access to your recovery email or phone.
  • If you are locked out of a local account with no reset disk and no other admin account, you may need to reinstall Windows or contact a local computer repair service.

Resetting a Microsoft account password from another device

If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft email address, you can reset your password without touching the locked computer. Go to account.microsoft.com on any device with internet access — a phone, tablet, or another computer. Click "Security" in the left menu, then select "Password" or "Change password".

Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity. You can do this by entering a code sent to your recovery email address, a code texted to your recovery phone number, or by answering security questions you set up when you created the account. Once verified, you can set a new password. The next time you sit down at your locked Windows computer, use this new password to sign in.

If you no longer have access to your recovery email or phone number, you can still reset your password using security questions — but only if you created them when you first set up your Microsoft account. If you did not set up security questions and cannot reach your recovery contact information, Microsoft's account recovery process will ask you additional questions about your account history to confirm your identity.

Resetting a local account password using a password reset disk

A local account exists only on your computer and is not connected to Microsoft's servers. If you set up 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 sign-in screen, and follow the wizard to create a new password.

If you did not create a reset disk beforehand, you cannot use this method. Creating a reset disk requires access to the account you want to protect, so it only helps if you planned ahead. If you are reading this after being locked out, move to the next section.

Using another administrator account to reset a local account

If your computer has a second administrator account that you can still access, you can use it to reset the password on the locked account. Sign in with the administrator account, then open Settings and go to "Accounts" > "Other people". Find the account you are locked out of, click it, and select "Reset password". You will not need the old password to set a new one.

This method only works if you have a second admin account on the same computer. If your computer has only one account (the one you are locked out of), this option is not available.

What to do if you are completely locked out of a local account

If you use a local account, have no password reset disk, and have no other administrator account on the computer, you have reached the point where Windows itself cannot help you regain access. Your options at this stage are limited and technical.

You can attempt to reinstall Windows using installation media (a USB drive or DVD with Windows files), though this will erase everything on your computer. You can also contact a local computer repair shop — they have tools and methods to reset local account passwords, though this service costs money and requires you to hand over your computer.

This situation is why Microsoft recommends using a Microsoft account instead of a local account: a Microsoft account password can be reset from anywhere, and you do not need physical access to the computer or a pre-made recovery disk.

Checking whether you have a Microsoft account or local account

If you are not sure which type of account you have, look at the sign-in screen. If you see your email address (usually ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or another domain), you have a Microsoft account. If you see only a username with no email address, you have a local account.

You can also check from Settings if you can still sign in. Open Settings, go to "Accounts", and look at the top of the page. It will say either "Your info" (for a Microsoft account) or show only a local username. If you are already locked out, you cannot check this way — but the sign-in screen itself will tell you what type of account you have.

Setting up recovery options before you need them

If you regain access to your account, take time to set up recovery methods so you do not face this problem again. For a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com, select "Security", and make sure your recovery email and phone number are current. Add security questions if you have not already.

For a local account, open Settings, go to "Accounts" > "Sign-in options", scroll down to "Recovery", and click "Create a password reset disk". You will need a USB drive or external storage device. Keep this disk in a safe place — it is your only way back in if you forget your password and have no other admin account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Microsoft tell me what my Windows password is?

No. Microsoft does not store passwords in a readable form — only encrypted versions that cannot be reversed. Even Microsoft support staff cannot retrieve your original password. You can only reset it to a new one.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password and my recovery email is also hacked?

Microsoft has an account recovery process for this situation. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Can't access your account", and follow the steps. You will answer questions about your account history, recent devices, and other details to prove you own the account. This process can take time but does not require access to your recovery email.

Is there a way to bypass a Windows password without resetting it?

No. Windows is designed so that only the account owner (or an administrator) can access the account. There is no legitimate bypass. If someone tells you they can unlock your account without resetting the password, they are either mistaken or offering a scam.

Can I use a Windows installation disk to reset my password?

A Windows installation disk cannot reset a local account password on its own. However, some third-party password reset tools can be run from installation media, though these require technical knowledge and may not work on newer Windows versions with security features enabled.

What should I do if I think someone else knows my Windows password?

Reset your password immediately using the methods in this guide. Then go to account.microsoft.com (if you use a Microsoft account), select "Security", and review your recent sign-in activity and connected devices. Remove any devices you do not recognize. Consider enabling two-factor authentication so that a password alone cannot access your account.