Windows Password Reset Utility

Scope of this page

We only describe official Microsoft account recovery, in-Windows reset features, and administrator-assisted processes for accounts you legitimately own or administer. We do not provide instructions for bypassing, cracking, or removing passwords on accounts that aren't yours — that includes third-party 'password removal' tools, which we won't cover or link to.

Microsoft account password reset

If your Windows login is a Microsoft account (an email address), you can reset it online from any device with internet access, before or at the Windows lock screen.

1. 1On the Windows lock screen, click 'I forgot my password' below the password field.
2. 2On another device, go to account.live.com/password/reset.
3. 3Follow the verification steps (recovery email, phone, or authenticator app).
4. 4Set a new password, then sign in on the locked PC with it.

PIN reset

If you use a Windows Hello PIN and forgot it (but still remember your Microsoft account password or have another way to sign in), you can reset the PIN directly from the lock screen.

1. 1On the lock screen, click 'I forgot my PIN'.
2. 2Sign in with your account password when prompted.
3. 3Set up a new PIN.

Local account recovery

Local accounts (not tied to a Microsoft account) rely on password reset disks created in advance, or another administrator on the same PC resetting the password for you via Control Panel > User Accounts.

1. 1If you created a password reset disk earlier, insert it at the lock screen and follow the wizard.
2. 2Otherwise, ask another administrator on the PC to sign in and reset your password from Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, or Control Panel > User Accounts.

Work or school (Entra ID/domain) accounts

For PCs joined to Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) or an on-premises domain, contact your organization's IT help desk. They can reset your password through admin tools; end users typically cannot reset domain passwords themselves outside the organization's self-service portal, if one is enabled.

When nothing above applies

If you have no recovery email/phone on the Microsoft account, no other admin account, and no reset disk, the supported path is to reinstall Windows, which erases the system drive. Back up any recoverable files first (see file recovery tools below), then use the Media Creation Tool or Rufus to reinstall.