Forgot Windows password or locked out at the login screen: how to get back in

Being locked out of Windows is scary, but your files are usually still on the computer. The fix depends on whether you sign in with a Microsoft account (an email address such as Outlook or Hotmail) or a local account (just a name). Work through these steps in order. Microsoft will never ask you to install remote access software to reset a password.

Steps

1. Look at the login screen and decide which kind of account you have. If it shows an email address, you have a Microsoft account. If it shows only a name with no email, you have a local account. That choice decides the next step.
2. If you see a PIN pad and you forgot the PIN, look under the PIN box for I forgot my PIN. That link is for Microsoft accounts. Select it, verify your account with the code Microsoft sends, and create a new PIN. If I forgot my PIN is missing, select Sign-in options, choose the password key icon, and sign in with your Microsoft account password instead.
3. If you forgot the Microsoft account password, select I forgot my password under the password box. Or select Sign-in options, choose Web sign-in, and then Forgot my password. You can also use another phone or computer and open account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx in a browser.
4. When Microsoft asks how to verify you, pick the recovery email or phone number you still can open. Confirm the hinted address or last four digits, get the code, enter it, and set a new password. Then sign in to Windows with that new password while the PC is online so Windows picks up the change.
5. If you no longer have any recovery email or phone, open Microsoft sign-in helper from another device and follow it. Microsoft support agents are not allowed to send password reset links or change your account for you, so ignore anyone who offers to do that.
6. For a local account password you forgot, type any wrong password once, select OK, then select Reset password. Answer the security questions you set when the account was created, then choose a new password and sign in.
7. If you made a password reset disk or USB earlier for that local account, plug it in, choose Use a password reset disk on the reset screen, and follow the wizard. The disk still works even if you changed the password after you made it.
8. If another person has an administrator account on the same PC, ask them to sign in, open Settings, then Accounts, then Other users (or Family and other users), select your account, and choose Change password or Reset password. On some Windows editions they can also use Control Panel, User Accounts, Manage another account.
9. After you get back in, write down a password you will remember, add a second recovery email or phone on account.microsoft.com, and consider setting up a PIN only after the password works. A PIN is separate from your Microsoft password and only works on that PC.
10. Do not reinstall Windows or choose Reset this PC with Remove everything until you have tried the steps above. That last option can erase your files. Never call a phone number from a popup, email or search ad that says Microsoft locked your PC. Real Microsoft password help is free and happens on the login screen or at account.live.com.

Common questions

How do I know if I have a Microsoft account or a local account?

On the Windows login screen, a Microsoft account shows an email address. A local account shows only a name. The reset steps are different for each.

I forgot my PIN but I still know my password. What should I do?

Select Sign-in options under the PIN box, choose the password option, and sign in with your password. Then open Settings, Accounts, Sign-in options, and set a new PIN.

What if I forgot both my PIN and my Microsoft password?

Reset the Microsoft account password first with I forgot my password or from account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx. Sign in with the new password, then create a new PIN.

The Reset password link for my local account does nothing. Why?

Local account reset only works if you set security questions when the account was created, or if you already made a password reset disk. Otherwise you need another administrator on the PC, or a careful recovery path that can risk files.

Can Ellis help me with this?

Yes. Ellis can talk you through each step by phone while you look at the login screen, and will never ask for your passwords or bank details. Ellis is an AI assistant, and it will tell you so.

Ellis is an AI tech support assistant from 5 Star Consultants, a division of Adore LLC. Privacy Terms