How to Recover or Reset a Lost Windows 10 User Account Password (2024)

Updated June 18, 2021

If you forget your Windows password it might seem like the end of the world. But don’t worry because we have you covered. Here’s how to get it back.

Forgetting your password can be a nightmare for any Windows user. It can happen if you are setting up a new installation for the first time and you haphazardly created a password without thoughtfully thinking about what you were creating. It could even be a password for an account you do not use often. In this article, we discuss how you can get your password back or reset it on Windows 10 and earlier Windows Operating Systems.

Recover Lost Windows Password

Hints

The first place I would start before trying anything invasive is the hint feature. When you first created an account and password, you were also prompted to create a hint, which can jog your memory and help you remember it. If this does not work, then move on to the next step.

Log into another Administrator Account on the system and reset the account

If you have more than one account on the system (which hopefully you do,) log into the other account and reset the password for the user account that you forgot. Keep in mind this would require that you know the password or know someone with an account on the system with Administrator privileges.

Press Windows key + R
Type: control userpasswords2
Hit Enter key on your keyboard
Select the account, then click Reset password
Enter the new password and confirm it, then click OK

Reset your Microsoft Account

Resetting your password is ideal, but what if you don’t have another account set up with Administrator privileges on your PC? If you used a Microsoft Account, try this trick. You’ll need access to your Microsoft Account Settings. So the first thing you will need to do is go to https://account.live.com/password/reset.

Then select I forgot my password, then click Next.

Type your email address, then enter the captcha code that appears.

Select the preferred method of delivering the code, then click Send Code.

Once the code arrives, enter it and click Next to recover your account.

What if the Above Options Aren’t Available?

Well, your next best option would be to perform a custom Windows install, create a new account and a password you can remember. Proceed to recover your personal files from the Windows.old folder and reinstall your applications and drivers. It’s a chore, but it’s the next best option. Here is how you do that:

Boot from your Windows setup media
Select your Language, Time, and Keyboard Method, then click Next
Click Install now
Wait while Setup starts
Accept the license terms and click Next
Click Custom
Select the Primary Partition, then click Next

You will receive the following warning:The partition you selected might contain files from a previous Windows Installation. If it does, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You will be able to access the information in Windows.old, but you won’t be able to use your previous version of Windows. Click OK and wait while Windows installs.

When setup is complete, you can browse the system’s root and recover your personal files from your Windows.old folder.

When preparing this article, I noticed older functions such as the Create password reset disk do not seem to work anymore in Windows 10 or Windows 8x. If you are running an older version of Windows, such as Windows 7, and you are not in this situation of needing to recover your password, now would be a good time to create one.

Ways to Prevent Losing Your Password

I should also mention that avoiding this situation is to create a passphrase you can remember for your Microsoft Account. After that’s set up, you can use a simple four-digit PIN instead of a password. For more on that, read one of the following articles:

Also, you can set Windows to log inautomatically. For obvious security reasons, this isn’t recommended if you share your PC or are in a public place. But if you live alone and know your situation is secure, it’s also an option. For more about that, read one of the following guides.

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26 Comments

Lisa nash
When I set up my new computer I noticed at the end it took the wrong email and I can’t log on because it’s not taking my pass word the email it has is lnash0303 (AT) yahoo and pass word should be Austin03 how can I log on or will I need to unhook everything idk
Reply
- Mary
  that’s exactly wat’s happening with me now.
  how did u do with yours? is it ok now?
  i desperately need to know
  Reply
  See Also
  Temporarily Blocked by Facebook Strong Customer Authentication FAQ: Device, Plans & Account Questions How to Find Your Bank Account Number: 8 Steps (with Pictures)
Lisa nash
Help I need advise on what to do
Reply
Brenda Bennett
I can’t get back into my nextbook. It keeps saying my password is invalid.
Reply
Aline
Great article.Thanks
Reply
june
just downloaded windows 10, followed every intruction, user name and password. whennit booted up, it wont let me in, saying wrong password, since i cant open my computer, i went to my cell phone and went on to their web site. acct.live.com/password/reset, and was ask to chang my password, it is no avail and now, my computer is lock down and cannot use, help
Reply
Kees Korndorffer
What a windows 10 password nightmare…….
Reply
Vivek Godara
If I have more than one account what I will do.
Reply
Rudy VAldez
My computer is locked and I cannot enter the letters of my password. I hit the reset password and a window pops up and says I have to insert USB flash drive and try again. Is this legit?
Reply
azam
When I created account I noticed at the end that it took wrong email and I can’t log on because it is not taking my password. How can I log on.plz tell me
Reply
- Steve Krause
  Comments on articles here at groovyPost are not the best place for Tech Support. Please use the groovyPost Free Windows 10 Help Forum at – https://windows10.help
  See Also
  How to Find Your Metrobank Account Number - The Pinoy OFW
  Thanks!
  -Steve
  groovyPost.com
  Reply
Marsha
windows 10 downloaded itself and now I’m locked out of all my needed documents. What can I do. It wont let me sign in.
Reply
Kathleen Connelly
I cannot reset my password. Please help me.
Reply
- Steve Krause
  Comments on articles here at groovyPost are not the best place for Tech Support. Please use the groovyPost Free Windows 10 Help Forum at – https://windows10.help
  Thanks!
  -Steve
  groovyPost.com
  Reply
Lucia
UUkeys Windows Password is my favorite tool to reset windows password without data loss. You can do it with a USB drive.
Reply
Ngurang tamang
I HV lost my windows 10 laptop password how to reset now plzz help me
Reply
Anthony
Wow. I can’t believe what I’m seeing so many others with the same problem I have I bought a computer the lady gave me her password the password worked for a week and a half and all of a sudden it stop saying that I need to use the last password that I put in there I didn’t change the password neither did she help what are we all supposed to do
Reply
- Steve Krause
  Comments on articles here at groovyPost are not the best place for Tech Support. Please use the groovyPost Free Windows 10 Help Forum at – https://windows10.help
  Thanks!
  -Steve
  groovyPost.com
  Reply
Donna
I’m locked out of my computer help
Reply
Sheila matthews-Dunnell
I can’t get into my page since I switched to window10 . it won’t take my password. HELP.
Reply
Pamela Nunley
I can’t login to my computer. I bought it used and I don’t have the previous owners password. How can I unlock the screen to set up my account?
Reply
- Steve Krause
  Comments on articles here at groovyPost are not the best place for Tech Support. Please use the groovyPost Free Windows 10 Help Forum at – https://windows10.help
  Thanks!
  -Steve
  groovyPost.com
  Reply
- Vanessa WH
  If it is a local account, you can draw supports from the pre-created password reset disk, other account with administrator privilege, etc. Besides, even we forget the login password, we can also create the password reset disk on another computer with the different methods for your Windows 10 computer. If it is a Microsoft account, you can reset the password for target Microsoft account in the official site of Microsoft. Here can find the steps of the methods I have mentioned above. And each of them has helped me to remove my forgotten Windows login password without damaging data inside the account. No need to provide any possible password combinations.
  https://www.reneelab.com/reset-windows-10-password-without-reset-disk.html
  Reply
RAYMOND PRIDDY
i have 2 computers both on the same wifi. I have been using both as is, now one keep asking for last psw and I am trying to use it. It come back saying I should go toAdmininistrator account. I can’t get into computer at all, can you help thank
Reply
Carl
sorry but i have none of the said options open to me i have even tried to reinstall os and nope . The system is running hard drive is fine as it is recognized on my network just not letting me log into the damn computer
Reply
chris
why cant windows just tell me what my password for particular computer is?
windows password works for everything else.
computer crashes and password doesn’t work
why have a password
Reply