How to Reset Your Windows 10 Password in 4 Ways (Step-by-Step)

After setting a password for your computer, you need to enter it every time you log into Windows 10. However, forgetting your password is a common problem. If you've forgotten the password for your computer, don't worry – Windows 10 lets you reset forgotten passwords, whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account.

In this guide, we'll walk you through four practical methods with detailed instructions to reset your Windows 10 or Windows 11 password. Let's get started.

Method 1: Reset Windows 10 Password with Security Questions

The method to reset a password differs between versions of Windows 10.

Applies to: Windows 10, version 1803 and later

Starting with Windows 1803, users are allowed to add security questions when setting up a local account. If you forget your Windows 10 login password, you can answer the security questions to log back in.

After entering an incorrect password twice, you'll see a password reset screen.

Step 2: Click on “Reset Password” to proceed.

Step 3: Answer the security question.

Step 4: Enter your new password, and you should be logged in successfully with your new password.

For versions of Windows 10 prior to version 1803

For versions of Windows prior to 1803, you can't set security questions. You'll have to reset your local account password instead. The only way to do this is to reset your computer and choose a new password.

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Resetting a Windows 10 computer:

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings. Go to Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get started.

Step 2: Click “Remove everything” and proceed to clean the drive. Finally, click “Reset.” Windows will now restart and take a few minutes to reset.

Step 3. After the reset, you can log in to your computer and set a new password.

Method 2: Reset Windows 10 Password with a Password Reset Disk or USB

If you created a password reset disk previously, you can use it to reset your Windows 10 password right away.

Step 1: Plug the password reset USB drive into your computer. Then, on the login screen, click Reset Password.

Step 2: The Password Reset Wizard appears. Click Next.

Step 3: Choose Reset Disk, then click “Next.” Type in and confirm your new password. You can add a new password hint to help you remember it.

If you see the “You've successfully reset the password for this user account” message, click Finish to close the Windows 10 password reset process.

Method 3: Reset Windows 10 Password with Microsoft Account

Starting with Windows 8, you can sign into Windows with a Microsoft account. If you forget the password to your Microsoft account and get locked out of Windows, you can follow these steps to resolve the issue.

Step 1: On the Enter password screen, click Can't access your account?, or go directly to the Microsoft password reset website. Type your email address, phone number, or Skype name, and then click Next.

Step 2. Choose the method Microsoft will use to verify your identity—email or phone—and then click “Next.”

Step 3: After entering the required information, click 'Get Code'.

Step 4: Enter the code you received. Next, type your new password and click **Next**. You've now successfully reset the password for your Microsoft account that's used to sign in to Windows.

Method 4: Reset Your Windows 10 Password with Command Prompt

How do I reset my Windows 10 password from the Command Prompt? Here are the steps. Since you can't log in to Windows normally, you'll need to boot Windows 10 into Safe Mode to access the Command Prompt.

We have a comprehensive guide explaining how to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10, in case you need it.

With the Command Prompt open, you can use it to reset your Windows 10 password.

Step 1: Type net user [your user account name]. For example, type net user Administrator 123, and then press Enter.

Step 2: The administrator account's password will then be reset to 123456.

Step 3: Close the Command Prompt, then restart your computer. You should now be able to log in to Windows using the password "123456."

How to Reset a Local Account Password in Windows 11

Just like in Windows 10, you have several options to reset your Windows 11 password. If you've added security questions, you can log back in by answering them and set a new password.

Step 1. After entering the wrong password, click the “Reset Password” link from the login screen.

Step 2: Answer your security question. If you don't see a security question after clicking the Reset Password link, make sure the name of your device is different from your local user account name.

Step 3: You should now be able to log in to your computer with your new password.

More Windows Password Reset Guides

This section covers more valuable guidelines about Windows password setting and reset.

How do I add security questions to my local account?

If you forget your password and can't sign in to Windows, you can add security questions to a local account. After you set up the security questions, you won't need a reset disk or USB drive to reset your Windows password.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2: Click on “Account” > “Login Options” > “Update Security Questions.”

How to Create a Windows Password Reset Disk or USB Drive

A Password Reset Disk created using a USB flash drive can help you quickly sign in to Windows if you forget your password. Note: Creating a password reset disk won't remove your device. But to better protect your data, it's recommended that you back up important files beforehand.

Step 1: Sign in with a local account.

Step 2: Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.

Step 3: Open the Control Panel on your computer and type “Create a password reset disk” in the search box.

Step 4: Choose “Create a password reset disk,” and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Bottom line

If you forget your Windows 10 password, don't worry. You can easily reset it using a security question, a password reset disk or USB drive, a Microsoft account, or the Command Prompt. These methods also work to reset a Windows 11 password.

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