Use the following instructions to reset your local account password. Your local account signs you in on your device offline, but it doesn’t link to your other devices. For a more complete experience, we recommend you sign in with a Microsoft account to access services like Outlook, Skype, and OneDrive on any of your devices. If you forgot your Windows 10 password, the easiest way to get back into your account is to reset the password for your Microsoft account.
Reset local account password for Windows 10, version 1803 and beyond
If you added security questions when you set up your local account for Windows 10, then you have at least version 1803 and you can answer security questions to sign back in.
After you’ve entered an incorrect password:
Select the Reset password link on the sign-in screen. If you use a PIN instead, see PIN sign-in issues. If you’re using a work device that’s on a network, you may not see an option to reset your password or PIN. In that case, contact your administrator.
Answer your security questions.
Enter a new password.
Sign in as usual with the new password.
Reset local account password for Windows 10, before version 1803
For versions of Windows 10 earlier than 1803, local account passwords can’t be reset because there are no security questions. You can reset your device to choose a new password, however this option will permanently delete your data, programs, and settings. If you’ve backed up your files you’ll be able to restore your deleted files. For more information, see Recovery options in Windows 10.
To reset your device, which will delete data, programs, and settings:
Press the Shift key while you select the Power button > Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.
On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password
We recommend following the steps in this order to assist you with resetting your Microsoft account and if that isn’t successful, how to try and recover your account.
Tip: The steps below are for forgotten passwords. If you want to make changes to a known Microsoft account password, see Change your Microsoft account password instead.
Reset your password
If the password you typed is incorrect, you’ll see a message that says:
Your account or password is incorrect. If you don’t remember your password, reset it now.
We recommend following the steps below to resolve your password issues. If you already tried this but it didn’t work, move ahead to Step 2: If you can’t reset your password.
1. Select Forgot password?
If the Enter password window is still open select Forgot password?
(Or go directly to Reset password and enter the username name again for the account you’re trying to reset and select Next).
2. Verify your identity
For your protection, Microsoft must verify your identity before you can proceed with resetting your password.
How to verify your identity depends if you previously added security info to your account and if you can still access them. Select from the two options below.
Option 1: You received and can select a verification option
Select which option to send the verification code to.
Option 2: No verification options are given or you can no longer access any of the options
If you don’t see an option for where to send a code or you no longer have access to any of the verification options shown, you won’t be able to reset your password this way.
Try the solutions listed in Step 2: If you can’t reset your password. If those don’t work either, or if you selected I can’t receive a code from this verification page, you’ll begin the account recovery process.
Go directly to Step 3: Help with the Microsoft account recovery form for tips to complete that process.
3. Get a verification code
Depending on the contact method you chose, retype the first part of the email address or the last four digits of the phone number hinted at in the previous window.
Select Get code.
Microsoft will send a verification code to the email or phone number you selected.
Go to the recovery phone or email for where you expect to receive the code.
Tip: If you didn’t receive a message, check your junk folder or if you selected the phone option, make sure your phone has service and can receive texts, and verify your phone isn’t set up to block texts from unknown numbers.
4. Enter code and reset password
Paste or type the code you received and select Next.
Type your new password and select Next.
You successfully reset your password
If you successfully reset your password, now is a good time to set a reminder to verify your security contact info, or make changes to it. See Security best practices for more info.
You weren’t able to reset your password.
If you couldn’t reset your password this way, move ahead to:
I Forgot My Windows 7 Password! How Do I Get Back In?
Here are several options for you forgetful Windows 7 users
So you forgot your Windows 7 password? Hey, it happens. We’re supposed to make very complicated passwords so they’re difficult to guess, but sometimes we make them so complicated that we forget them ourselves.
As of January 2020, Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 7. We recommend upgrading to Windows 10 to continue receiving security updates and technical support.
Try one of several ways to find your Windows 7 login password that has somehow slipped your mind.
Let’s work through the ideas one by one, starting with the easiest:
Use Your Windows 7 Password Reset Disk
Right now is the time to use that Windows 7 password reset disk that you created. Congrats to you for being proactive!
It’s likely, however, that most of you don’t have a Windows 7 password reset disk either because you didn’t know the feature existed or you never thought you’d actually forget your Windows 7 password.
Either way, once you do get in with one of the other ideas below, be sure to come back to that link above and make one right away.
Have an Administrator Change Your Windows 7 Password for You
If other people that have accounts on your computer, one of them may be configured with administrator-level access. Since those with administrator privileges can manage the passwords of all the users in Windows 7, this person would be able to change your Windows 7 password for you from within his or her account.
Clearly, if you’re the only person that has an account on your computer, which is probably the situation for many of you, then this trick isn’t going to do you any good.
Reset Your Windows 7 Password With This Trick
There’s a way to reset your Windows 7 password with nothing but the tools and software you already have at your disposal. This is a nifty little trick that anyone can pull off. The worst you’ll have to do is boot from a disc or flash drive and use Command Prompt a few times.
Considering the fact that you likely don’t really have a password reset disk or a second administrator on your computer, and you probably already have a headache trying to remember what you set your password as, this trick will be the solution for most of you.
Hack Your Windows 7 Account With a Password Recovery Program
If you’ve tried guessing, there are no other users on your computer, the last trick didn’t work for some reason, and you are sure you don’t have a Windows 7 password reset disk lying around, then it’s time to try something a bit more complicated.
Windows password recovery programs are software tools designed to recover or reset/delete your Windows 7 password. They can sometimes be difficult to use but if you truly have forgotten your password and you can also follow some simple directions, there’s an excellent chance that one of these programs will get you back into Windows.
Still Can’t Find Your Windows 7 Password?
If you’ve tried everything above, and that lost Windows 7 password really is lost for good, then you’ll need to perform a clean install of Windows 7, a process which will erase everything on your computer.
It’s a drastic, and obviously destructive, step but if you want your computer back, you’ll need to consider this option if everything else has failed.
What to Do After You Reset Your Password
Forgetting your Windows 7 password, and having to walk through various steps to reset it, definitely isn’t fun. So, you’d be wise to take advantage of whatever methods possible to avoid having to reset your Windows 7 password again in the future.
Beyond the password reset disk method mentioned above, you could save your new Windows 7 password in a password manager. So long as you use one with mobile access, you can refer to the password manager app any time you need to remember your Windows 7 password.
Something you can do instead is set up your Windows 7 to automatically log in each time your computer starts. This definitely isn’t ideal if security is a concern, because then anyone can get in to your computer, but it does stop you from having to remember your password.
When you can’t reset your Microsoft account password
We recommend following the steps in this order to assist you with resetting your Microsoft account password.
Can’t reset password
Tip: If you want to make changes to a known Microsoft account password, see Change your Microsoft account password instead.
If you couldn’t reset your password
If you weren’t successful with Step 1: Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password it could be because you no longer have access to your security contact info or because when you created your account you never set up an identification recovery and verification alternative.
Before moving on to the next section: Step 3: Fill out the Microsoft account recovery form, be sure to read through and try the tips below.
Check for incorrect account or password entries
Try signing in again and make sure you’re entering the password correctly. Remember passwords are case sensitive. Check that all caps aren’t on and make sure there aren’t any other typos in your password.
Make sure you entered your email address correctly and that you’re using the correct domain name (this is the part of the email address that appears after the @ symbol). For example, perhaps you wrote the email address as your name>@outlook.com when it should have been your name>@hotmail.com.
Check your browser
Clear your browser history (here’s how in Microsoft Edge and in Internet Explorer).
Try signing in to your account from a different internet browser.
Check for saved passwords in your browser or on devices where you might have saved the password.
Try to recall when you last used the account
If you haven’t used this account in a long time and you didn’t close it yourself, the account may have been closed because of inactivity. If there hasn’t been any activity on an account, Microsoft will only keep it open for a set time period. For more information, see Your account is closed.
Try a different way to sign in
If you previously set up a Windows Hello pin for this account, go to the device to try and recover your account. For example, if you’ve been locked out of your Windows PC for any reason, start by going to the login screen and clicking the “I Forgot My PIN” link. For more information, see Reset your PIN when you’re signed out on Windows 10.
If these solutions didn’t work.
If you still can’t reset your password, the next step is to fill out the account recovery form. We will need to answer several questions about this account which will help Microsoft determine the account belongs to you and not an unauthorized individual. Move to the next step:
Change or reset your Windows password
If you forgot or lost your password for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, you may be able to change or reset it. To get started, choose your version of Windows from the Select Product Version drop-down menu.
If you already know your current password and want to change it
Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options . Under Password, select the Change button and follow the steps.
Reset your Windows 10 local account password
If you’ve forgotten or lost your Windows 10 password for a local account and need to sign back in to your device, the below options might help you get up and running. For more info on local standard vs. administrative accounts, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.
Windows 10 version 1803 and later
If you added security questions when you set up your local account for Windows 10, then you have at least version 1803 and you can answer security questions to sign back in.
After you’ve entered an incorrect password:
Select the Reset password link on the sign-in screen. If you use a PIN instead, see PIN sign-in issues. If you’re using a work device that’s on a network, you may not see an option to reset your password or PIN. In that case, contact your administrator.
Note: If you don’t see security questions after you select the Reset password link, make sure your device name isn’t the same as your local user account name (the name you see when you sign in). To see your device name, right-click Start in the taskbar, select System, andscroll to the Device specifications section. If the device name is the same as your account name, you can create a new administrator account, sign in as an administrator, and then rename your PC (when you view your device name, you can also rename it).
Answer your security questions.
Enter a new password.
Sign in as usual with the new password.
Windows 10 before version 1803
For versions of Windows 10 earlier than 1803, local account passwords can’t be reset because there are no security questions. You can reset your device to choose a new password, however this option will permanently delete your data, programs, and settings. If you’ve backed up your files you’ll be able to restore your deleted files. For more information, see Recovery options in Windows 10. To reset your device, which will delete data, programs, and settings:
Press the Shift key while you select the Power button > Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.
On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Select Remove everything.
Warning: Resetting your device will permanently delete data, programs, and settings.
Reset your Microsoft account password you use to sign in to your computer
On the sign-in screen, type your Microsoft account name if it’s not already displayed. If there are multiple accounts on the computer, choose the one you want to reset. Below the password text box, select I forgot my password. Follow the steps to reset your password.
Troubleshoot problems signing in
If you’re still having trouble signing to your account, see more solutions in Troubleshoot problems signing in.
Reset your password
Note: If you’ve forgotten your Windows 10 password, see Reset your Windows 10 local account password.
If you’ve forgotten your Windows 8.1 password, there are several ways to retrieve or reset it:
If your PC is on a domain, your system administrator must reset your password.
If you’re using a Microsoft account, you can reset your password online. For more info, see How to reset your Microsoft account password.
If you’re using a local account, use your password hint as a reminder.
If you still can’t sign in, you must reinstall Windows. For Windows RT 8.1, contact your PC manufacturer.
More help with passwords in Windows 8.1
If you forget or lose your password, see Reset your password above to reset or recover it.
If you think your Microsoft account password has been compromised or stolen by someone with malicious intent, we can help. For more info, see When you can’t sign in to your Microsoft account.
If you’re signing in to only your local PC, yes. However, we recommend that you keep your PC more secure by using a strong password. When you use a password, only someone who knows it can sign in. If you want to sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account, a password is required. For more info, see Can I sign in to Windows without a password? To learn more about Microsoft accounts and local accounts, see Create a user account.
Stronger passwords contain a variety of characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols or spaces. A strong password should also be something that is difficult for a stranger to guess or crack. It shouldn’t contain a complete word, or easy-to-find details like your real name, your user name, or your birth date.
If you’re signing in to a Microsoft account, your password is limited to 16 characters. For more info about Microsoft accounts, see Create a user account.
You can update your password regularly to keep it more secure. If your PC isn’t connected to a domain, follow these steps:
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
Tap or click Accounts, and then tap or click Sign-in options.
Tap or click Change your password and follow the instructions.
If your PC is connected to a domain, your system administrator might manage how frequently you must change your password. To do so, choose one of the following:
If you’re using a keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, tap or click Change a password, and follow the instructions.
If you’re using a tablet, press and hold the Windows button, press the power button, and then tap or click Change a password and follow the instructions.
It depends on whether you’re using a third-party email address. If your email address ends in outlook.com, hotmail.com, live.com, or another Microsoft service, changing the password for your Microsoft account also changes it for that email service.
But you can use any email address for your Microsoft account, even an email address from a third-party web-based mail service like Google Mail or Yahoo! Mail. When you choose a password for your Microsoft account, it doesn’t change the password you might need to use to sign in to web mail on a third-party site.
Create a picture password to sign in with gestures instead of by entering characters.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
Tap or click Accounts, and then tap or click Sign-in options.
Under Picture password, tap or click Add, and then follow the instructions.
When you choose a password for your user account, it’s important to pick something you can remember. You’re going to need it again later!
Of course, you can also write your password down and keep it in a safe place. Taped to the underside of your laptop or the inside of your desk drawer is probably not a good idea, however. If you do write your password down, be sure to keep it separate from your PC.
For added security, use different passwords for different purposes. For example, it’s a good idea to keep distinctly different passwords for a social networking account and your online bank account.
If you do forget or lose your password, there are still several things you can try to reset or recover it. For more info, see Reset your password above to reset or recover it.
Reset your password
My computer is on a domain
Select the Start button , select Control Panel, select User Accounts, select User Accounts, and then select Manage User Accounts. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
On the Users tab, under Users for this computer, select the user account name, and then select Reset Password.
Type the new password, confirm the new password, and then select OK.
My computer is in a workgroup
If you type the wrong password when you attempt to log on, Windows displays a message that the password is incorrect. Select OK to close the message.
Select Reset password, and then insert your password reset disk or USB flash drive.
Follow the steps in the Password Reset wizard to create a new password.
Log on with the new password. If you forget your password again, you can use the same password reset disk. You don’t need to make a new one.
Note: If an administrator resets your password, you might lose access to some of your files.
Change your password
Press Ctrl+ Alt+ Delete, and then select Change a password.
Type your old password followed by a new password as indicated, and then type the new password again to confirm it.
Note: If you are logged on as an administrator, you can create and change passwords for all user accounts on the computer.
Warning: If you use an administrator account to change a password for another account, any encrypted files or e mail messages for that other account will no longer be accessible to the person who was using that account.
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, select Control Panel, select User Accounts, select User Accounts, and then select Manage User Accounts. 
If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
