If you have forgotten your Windows password, the fix depends on the kind of account. A Microsoft account is reset online from another phone or computer at the Microsoft sign-in page. A local account may offer a "Reset password" link under the sign-in box if you set security questions. A forgotten PIN is reset from the same screen after you prove who you are with your Microsoft account. Do not format the laptop in a hurry: that deletes your files, and none of the legitimate routes needs it.
Being locked out of your own laptop is stressful, mostly because of what is on it. This guide explains how to tell which kind of account you have, the reset route for each, what to avoid, and how to set things up so that it does not happen again. It is written for the owner of the laptop. If the laptop belongs to your employer or school, the password is theirs to reset, so contact the IT team.
First, work out which kind of sign-in you use
- Microsoft account. You sign in with an email address, often Outlook, Hotmail or Gmail, and the screen shows that address under your name. This is the default on most new Windows 11 laptops.
- Local account. You sign in with a username that exists only on this laptop. No email address is shown.
- PIN or fingerprint. These are shortcuts for the account above, not separate accounts. If the PIN fails, the account password still works.
- Work or school account. The sign-in screen mentions an organisation. Reset it through the organisation.
Reset a Microsoft account password
- On the sign-in screen, select "I forgot my password" or "Reset password" under the password box. If you are using a PIN, choose "I forgot my PIN".
- Follow the prompts. Microsoft sends a code to the recovery email, phone number or authenticator app saved on the account.
- If the laptop has no internet, connect it to Wi-Fi from the icon on the sign-in screen, because the reset needs a connection.
- If the screen does not let you continue, do the same on another device: open the Microsoft account recovery page in a browser, enter your email address and follow the steps.
- Set a new password, then use it on the laptop. If the laptop still shows the old password, connect it to the internet and restart once.
The usual snag is that the recovery email or phone number on the account is out of date. Microsoft then asks for a recovery form with details it can check, such as your name and a previous password. It takes patience, and answers need to be as exact as you can make them.
Reset a local account password
On a local account, type any wrong password once. If you had set security questions when the account was created, a "Reset password" link appears under the box. Answer the questions and choose a new password. If the link does not appear, no security questions were set, and that route is closed. Another administrator account on the same laptop can reset your password from Settings or from Computer Management, so check whether someone else in the family or office has one.
What not to do
- Do not reinstall or reset Windows as a first step. Choosing "Remove everything" deletes your files, and even a reset that keeps files is better left until the other routes have failed.
- Do not download "password cracker" or "unlock" tools from random sites. Many carry malware, and the legitimate routes above cost nothing.
- Do not keep guessing. Windows can lock the account for a few minutes after repeated wrong attempts, and BitLocker can ask for its recovery key after repeated failures or hardware changes.
- Do not pay for an "unlock" that promises to keep every file in any case. No one can promise that for every laptop.
If the drive is encrypted
Many laptops now encrypt the drive with BitLocker or device encryption. Resetting the sign-in does not change that, but a reinstall or a drive swap can bring up a recovery key prompt. If you ever signed in to a Microsoft account on the laptop, the key is usually stored in that account. Look for it before you do anything that changes the drive. Our guide to moving data between laptops explains why the key matters when a drive is taken out.
If every route fails
When no reset works, the options narrow. A technician may be able to regain access to your own account without erasing your files, depending on the Windows version, the account type and whether the drive is encrypted. Where that is not possible, the remaining route is to back up what can be reached and reinstall Windows. If files matter and the drive is not readable, see what decides data recovery cost before you start.
Make sure it does not happen again
- Add a current recovery email and phone number to your Microsoft account, and check them once a year.
- Set up Windows Hello (fingerprint or face) and a PIN, and keep the password somewhere safe.
- Use a password manager, so the laptop password is one of few you must remember.
- Create a second administrator account for emergencies, with its own strong password.
- Back up your files regularly. See laptop data backup.
When to bring it in
If your own laptop will not let you in and the steps above do not help, tell us the Windows version, the type of account and whether you remember any recovery details. The laptop password reset page explains what we look at, and the written quote comes after the inspection. For the closest branch, see laptop repair near me.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reset a Windows password without losing my files?
Yes, for a Microsoft account reset online and for a local account reset with security questions or another administrator. A full reinstall is the only route that risks your files.
Why does Windows say my password is incorrect when I am sure it is right?
Check Caps Lock, the keyboard language and Num Lock. If you changed the password on another device, the laptop may still expect the old one until it connects to the internet.
I forgot my PIN but I remember my password. What now?
Choose "I forgot my PIN" on the sign-in screen, or use "Sign-in options" to switch to your password. Then set a new PIN in Settings.
Is it safe to use a password reset disk or tool from the internet?
Use only Microsoft's own pages and tools. Unknown downloads that claim to unlock Windows are a common way to spread malware.
