How to Reset a Password in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Before You Reset a Windows Password: Check Your Account Type

Windows 10 and Windows 11 support several sign-in methods. The correct recovery method depends on whether you use a Microsoft account, a local account, a Windows Hello PIN, or a work/school account.

How to Tell Which Sign-in Method You Use

• Microsoft account: the sign-in screen usually shows an email address such as Outlook, Hotmail, Live, or another email linked to Microsoft.
• Local account: the sign-in screen shows only a username, with no email address.
• PIN: Windows asks for a short numeric or alphanumeric PIN instead of your full account password.
• Work or school account: the account is managed by an organization, domain, Microsoft Entra ID, or company administrator.

If you are not sure, start with the Microsoft account recovery method. Many Windows 11 installations use a Microsoft account by default, especially on personal devices.

How to Reset a Microsoft Account Password in Windows 10 and Windows 11

If you sign in to Windows with an email address, you are probably using a Microsoft account. Resetting the password is done online, and the new password then works for Windows, Outlook, OneDrive, Microsoft Store, Xbox, and other Microsoft services linked to the same account.

Steps to Reset the Microsoft Account Password

1. On another phone, tablet, or computer, open Microsoft’s account recovery page: https://account.live.com/password/reset.
2. Select I forgot my password and click Next.
3. Enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name used on the locked Windows PC.
4. Complete the verification step using your recovery email, phone number, authenticator app, or backup code.
5. Create a new strong password and save it in a secure password manager.
6. Return to the Windows sign-in screen and connect the PC to the internet.
7. Enter the new Microsoft account password.

If You Cannot Receive the Verification Code

Use the I don’t have any of these option on the Microsoft recovery page. You may need to provide previous passwords, account activity, email subjects, contact details, or other information proving that the account belongs to you. This process can take longer, but it is safer than using third-party recovery tools.

How to Reset a Forgotten Windows Hello PIN

A Windows Hello PIN is not the same as your Microsoft account password. It is stored locally and tied to the device. If you forgot only the PIN, you may still be able to sign in with your password and then create a new PIN.

Reset PIN from the Sign-in Screen

1. On the Windows sign-in screen, click I forgot my PIN.
2. Verify your identity with your Microsoft account password, recovery email, phone number, or authenticator app.
3. Read the warning that apps and services may require you to sign in again.
4. Create a new PIN and confirm it.
5. Use the new PIN to sign in.

Reset PIN After Signing in with a Password

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts → Sign-in options.
3. Open PIN (Windows Hello).
4. Choose I forgot my PIN or Remove, then set up a new PIN.

If the I forgot my PIN link is missing, use Sign-in options on the lock screen and choose password sign-in instead.

How to Reset a Local Windows Account Password with Security Questions

For local accounts created in newer versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft requires security questions. If those questions were configured, you can reset the password directly from the lock screen.

Steps for Local Account Password Reset

1. At the Windows sign-in screen, enter the wrong password once.
2. Click the Reset password link that appears under the password box.
3. Answer the security questions exactly as they were created.
4. Enter a new password and confirm it.
5. Sign in with the new local account password.

How to Change a Windows Password from Another Administrator Account

If another administrator account exists on the same computer, sign in to that account and change the forgotten local account password. This method works for local user accounts, but it cannot directly reset a Microsoft account password.

Change Password in Computer Management

1. Sign in using another administrator account.
2. Right-click the Start button and select Computer Management.
3. Open Local Users and Groups → Users.
4. Right-click the locked local account and choose Set Password.
5. Read the warning and click Proceed.
6. Enter a new password and click OK.

Change Password from Command Prompt

You can also use an elevated Command Prompt if you are already signed in as an administrator:

net user

Use the command below, replacing Username and NewPassword with the correct values:

net user "Username" "NewPassword"

How to Use a Password Reset Disk in Windows 10 and Windows 11

A password reset disk is a USB drive created in advance for a local Windows account. It works even if the password has been changed several times after the disk was created.

Use an Existing Password Reset Disk

1. Insert the USB password reset disk into the locked computer.
2. Enter an incorrect password on the sign-in screen.
3. Click Reset password.
4. Follow the Password Reset Wizard.
5. Select the correct USB drive and create a new password.
6. Sign in with the new password.

Create a Password Reset Disk for the Future

1. Sign in to a local account.
2. Connect a USB flash drive.
3. Open Control Panel → User Accounts → User Accounts.
4. Click Create a password reset disk in the left pane.
5. Complete the Forgotten Password Wizard.
6. Store the USB drive in a safe place.

This method does not work for Microsoft accounts, because Microsoft account passwords are reset online.

Reset Windows When You Cannot Recover the Password

If account recovery fails and there is no other administrator account, you can use Reset this PC. This reinstalls Windows and lets you create a new account. You can choose to keep personal files, but installed applications and many settings will be removed.

Start Reset This PC from the Sign-in Screen

1. On the sign-in screen, hold Shift and click Power → Restart.
2. Wait for the recovery environment to open.
3. Select Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.
4. Choose Keep my files if you want Windows to preserve files in user folders.
5. Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions and create a new account after reinstalling Windows.

How to Reset a Work, School, or Domain Password

Corporate and school devices often use accounts managed by an organization. These passwords are not controlled only by the local PC, so the reset process depends on the company or school identity system.

What to Try

• Use your organization’s self-service password reset portal.
• Contact the IT administrator or help desk.
• If the device is joined to a Windows domain, connect to the corporate network or VPN after the password is reset.
• If the account uses Microsoft Entra ID, follow the password reset instructions provided by the organization.

Do not attempt unofficial offline password changes on a managed device. They can violate company policy, break domain trust, or trigger encryption recovery.

BitLocker, EFS, and File Access After a Password Reset

Password recovery is not only about signing in. If the drive uses BitLocker, Windows may request a recovery key after certain recovery actions. If the account used Encrypting File System (EFS), forcibly changing a local account password from another administrator account can make encrypted files inaccessible unless you have the original certificate or recovery key.

Check for BitLocker Recovery Key

• For personal Microsoft accounts, check the Microsoft account devices/recovery key page.
• For work or school accounts, contact the organization’s IT administrator.
• For manually saved keys, check printed copies, USB drives, password managers, or safe storage locations.

If encrypted files are important, avoid destructive recovery steps until you confirm where your recovery keys are stored.

Best Ways to Reset a Forgotten Windows Password: Comparison Table

What to Do After You Reset Your Windows Password

After regaining access, spend a few minutes improving account recovery so you do not get locked out again.

Recommended Security Checklist

• Update your Microsoft account recovery email address and phone number.
• Enable two-step verification or use an authenticator app.
• Set a strong but memorable password and store it in a password manager.
• Create or update security questions for local accounts.
• Create a second local administrator account for emergency access.
• Save your BitLocker recovery key in a secure location.
• Create a full system backup or at least back up important personal files.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resetting a Windows Password

The Safest Way to Reset a Windows Password

The safest password reset method is the one that matches your account type. For a Microsoft account, reset the password online and then connect the locked PC to the internet. For a forgotten PIN, use I forgot my PIN. For a local account, try security questions, another administrator account, or a password reset disk.

If none of the account-level methods work, Reset this PC is the clean fallback because it restores access without relying on risky password-bypass utilities. Before using it, check whether BitLocker is enabled and make sure important data is backed up whenever possible.