How to reset your password depends on what you remember and what system you use

If you have forgotten your password or are locked out of your Windows or Mac computer, the fastest route depends on whether you can still log in with a different account, whether you have a password reset disk, or whether you set up a recovery email or phone number. Windows and Mac both offer built-in recovery paths that work without calling support or reinstalling the system. The steps differ between the two, and the time it takes ranges from a few minutes to several hours depending on which method you use.

The key difference is this: if you have any way into the computer—even through a guest account or another user account—you can reset the forgotten password in minutes. If you are completely locked out, you will need either a password reset disk you created beforehand, a recovery email address, or a phone number linked to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows lets you reset a forgotten password using a recovery email, phone number, or security questions if you set them up when you created your account.
  • If you have access to another user account on the same computer, you can reset the forgotten password through Settings without needing recovery information.
  • Mac users can reset a forgotten password using an Apple ID, a recovery key, or by booting into Recovery Mode and using the Reset Password utility.
  • Creating a password reset disk on Windows or saving a recovery key on Mac before you forget your password makes recovery much faster.
  • If none of these methods work, you may need to reinstall your operating system, which erases the computer—contact the manufacturer's support line to confirm your options.

Resetting a Windows password when you can still log in

If you have access to any other user account on the computer, you can reset the forgotten password through Settings. Log in with the account you remember, then open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. Find the account with the forgotten password, click it, and select Reset password. Windows will ask you to create a new password right there—you do not need the old one.

This is the fastest method and takes about two minutes. The account you use to reset it does not need to be an administrator account, though administrator accounts can reset any account on the computer.

Resetting a Windows password when you are locked out

On the Windows login screen, click I forgot my password below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using one of the recovery methods you set up when you created the account: a recovery email address, a phone number, or security questions. If you set up more than one, Windows lets you choose which one to use.

If you chose email recovery, Windows sends a link to that email address. Click the link, create a new password, and you can log in when ready. If you chose phone recovery, Windows texts or calls a code to that number—enter the code on the login screen and create a new password. If you set up security questions, answer them on the login screen and create a new password. This method typically takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how quickly you can access your email or phone.

If you did not set up any recovery method and have no other account on the computer, you will need a password reset disk. If you created one before you forgot your password, plug it in, click Reset password on the login screen, and follow the wizard to create a new password. If you never created a reset disk, you will need to reinstall Windows, which erases the computer.

Resetting a Mac password using your Apple ID

On the Mac login screen, click the question mark or wait for the login window to show a hint. After several failed password attempts, a Reset Password button appears. Click it and choose Use your Apple ID. Enter your Apple ID email and password, then create a new Mac password. This method takes about 5 minutes and works as long as you remember your Apple ID credentials.

If you do not have an Apple ID or do not remember that password either, you can use a recovery key instead. A recovery key is a long code that Apple generates when you turn on two-factor authentication. If you saved this code somewhere safe, you can use it to reset your Mac password by clicking the question mark on the login screen and selecting Use recovery key.

Resetting a Mac password using Recovery Mode

If you do not have an Apple ID password or a recovery key, restart your Mac and hold down Command + R while it boots. This opens Recovery Mode. From the Utilities menu, select Reset Password. Choose your user account from the dropdown, create a new password, and restart the computer. This method takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on how long Recovery Mode takes to load.

Recovery Mode works on any Mac as long as you can restart it. You do not need to know the old password or have access to any external accounts. After you reset the password this way, your Mac may ask you to enter your Apple ID password the next time you log in—this is a security step and does not mean the reset failed.

When you need to reinstall your operating system

If you have no recovery email, phone number, security questions, Apple ID, recovery key, or password reset disk, and you cannot access any other account on the computer, you will need to reinstall Windows or macOS. This erases everything on the computer and returns it to factory settings. You will lose all files, programs, and settings unless you have a backup stored elsewhere.

To reinstall Windows, you need a Windows installation disk or USB drive and a valid Windows license key. To reinstall macOS, you need internet access and an Apple ID. Both processes take 1 to 3 hours depending on your internet speed and the size of your hard drive. Contact the manufacturer's support line before you start—they can confirm whether your license key is still valid and walk you through the steps.

How to avoid being locked out in the future

The easiest way to prevent this situation is to set up recovery options before you forget your password. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Security options and add a recovery email address and phone number. On Mac, turn on two-factor authentication in System Settings and save your recovery key somewhere you will remember—a safe, a password manager, or a printed copy in a drawer.

You can also create a password reset disk on Windows by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password and selecting Create a password reset disk. Save this disk somewhere safe. If you ever forget your password, you can plug it in and reset it in minutes without needing email or phone access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without a recovery email or phone number?

On Windows, yes—if you set up security questions when you created your account, you can answer them on the login screen to reset your password. On Mac, you can use Recovery Mode to reset your password without any recovery information. If you have none of these options, you will need a password reset disk or you will have to reinstall the operating system.

How long does it take to reset a password?

If you have access to another account on the computer, 2 to 5 minutes. If you use email or phone recovery, 5 to 15 minutes. If you use Recovery Mode on Mac, 10 to 20 minutes. If you need to reinstall the operating system, 1 to 3 hours plus the time to restore your files from backup.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password changes only the password—your files, programs, and settings stay on the computer. Only reinstalling the operating system erases everything.

What if I forgot both my Windows password and my recovery email password?

You can still use your phone number or security questions to reset your Windows password if you set them up. If you have none of those, you will need a password reset disk or you will have to reinstall Windows.

Can I reset my password on someone else's computer?

Only if you have access to another account on that computer or if you have the recovery information (email, phone, or security questions) linked to the account. If you do not have either, you cannot reset the password without the owner's help or without reinstalling the operating system.