You cannot retrieve a forgotten Microsoft password, but you can reset it in minutes
Microsoft does not store your password in a way that lets anyone — including Microsoft support — look it up and tell you what it is. This is actually a security feature: if Microsoft kept your password readable, a breach would expose it. Instead, you can reset your password to something new using your recovery email or phone number, and you will regain access to your account within minutes.
If you remember your password but want to change it for security reasons, that is a different process that takes even less time. Both paths are covered below.
Key Takeaways
- Go to account.microsoft.com/security and select "Change password" if you remember your current password, or "Reset password" if you do not.
- To reset a forgotten password, you will need access to the recovery email address or phone number you set up with your account.
- Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email or text it to your recovery phone — you enter that code to prove you own the account.
- If you cannot access your recovery email or phone, you can answer security questions you created when you set up the account.
- After you reset your password, update any devices that were signed in with the old password so they can connect again.
Reset a password you have forgotten
Start at account.microsoft.com/security and look for the "Reset password" button. You do not need to be signed in to do this. Click it and enter the email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account.
Microsoft will ask how you want to receive a verification code. Choose either the recovery email address on file or the recovery phone number. If you set up both, you can pick whichever one you can access right now. Microsoft will send the code immediately — check your email inbox or text messages within a minute or two.
Enter the code into the form on the screen. Microsoft will then let you create a new password. Make it something you have not used before, and use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if you can. Once you save the new password, you can sign back into your account.
What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone
If the recovery email address no longer works or you no longer have the phone number, Microsoft offers a backup: security questions. During the password reset process, after you click "Reset password" and enter your account email, you will see an option to "Use a security question instead." Click that.
You will be asked to answer one or more of the security questions you created when you first set up your account. These might be questions like "What is the name of the city where you were born?" or "What was the name of your first pet?" Answer as accurately as you can — Microsoft checks your answers against what you entered years ago.
If you answer correctly, you can reset your password the same way as above. If you cannot remember your answers or do not remember setting up security questions, you have one more option: contact Microsoft support through account.microsoft.com/security and describe your situation. Support can verify your identity through other means, though this path takes longer than using your recovery email or phone.
Change your password when you remember it
If you know your current password and just want to change it, the process is faster. Go to account.microsoft.com/security, sign in if you are not already, and select "Change password" near the top of the page.
Enter your current password once to prove you own the account. Then enter your new password twice — once to set it, and once to confirm you typed it correctly. Click "Next" and you are done. Your password changes immediately.
Update your devices after you reset your password
After you reset your password, any device that was signed into your Microsoft account with the old password will lose connection. This includes Windows computers, phones, tablets, and apps like Outlook or OneDrive. You do not need to do anything right away — the device will prompt you to sign in again the next time you use it.
When the prompt appears, enter your new password. The device will reconnect and work normally. If a device does not prompt you, go to Settings (on Windows or mobile), find "Accounts" or "Sign-in options," and select your Microsoft account. You should see an option to "Sign in with a password" or "Update password." Enter your new password there.
Prevent this from happening again
Keep your recovery email and phone number current. If you change your email address or phone number, update it in your Microsoft account settings so that the next time you need to reset your password, you can actually receive the verification code. Go to account.microsoft.com/security, select "Security info," and update both the recovery email and recovery phone.
Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager in your browser. These tools remember your passwords for you, so you only have to remember one strong master password. They also generate random passwords that are harder to guess than ones you create yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Microsoft tell me what my password is?
No. Microsoft stores only an encrypted version of your password, not the password itself. Even Microsoft employees cannot read it. This protects you: if someone hacks Microsoft's servers, they cannot use the stolen data to sign into your account. You can only reset your password to something new.
What if I do not have a recovery email or phone number set up?
You can still reset your password using security questions, but only if you answered them when you created your account. If you did not set up security questions either, contact Microsoft support. They can verify your identity through other information and help you regain access, though it takes longer than the email or phone route.
Will resetting my password sign me out everywhere?
Yes, resetting your password signs you out of your account on all devices. You will need to sign back in with your new password on each device — your computer, phone, tablet, and any apps that use your Microsoft account. The device will prompt you to do this the next time you use it.
How long does it take to reset my password?
If you have access to your recovery email or phone, you can reset your password in about five minutes. Microsoft sends the verification code instantly, and you can create a new password right away. If you use security questions or contact support, it may take longer.
Is it safe to reset my password online?
Yes, as long as you go directly to account.microsoft.com. Do not click a link in an email or text message claiming to be from Microsoft — scammers use fake links to steal passwords. Always type the address into your browser yourself or search for "Microsoft account security" to find the real page.