The fastest way depends on what you remember and what kind of computer you have
If you have forgotten your password, the path forward splits into two: Windows and Mac handle password recovery differently, and both have faster routes if you set up a recovery method beforehand. On Windows, you can use a password reset disk, a recovery email, or a phone number linked to your account. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID, a recovery key, or FileVault recovery options. The method that works fastest for you depends on which of these you prepared in advance—or whether you can still log in with a different account on the same computer.
If you cannot remember your password and have no recovery method set up, you will need to restart your computer in a special mode and work from there. This takes longer but is still possible on both systems. The steps differ significantly between Windows and Mac, so find your operating system below and follow the exact sequence.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users with a Microsoft account can reset their password through the login screen using a recovery email or phone number, which takes about 10 minutes.
- Windows users with a local account need a password reset disk (created beforehand) or must restart in Safe Mode and use the built-in Administrator account.
- Mac users can reset their password using their Apple ID, a recovery key, or by restarting in Recovery Mode if neither of those options is available.
- Creating a password reset disk on Windows or saving a recovery key on Mac before you need it makes the process much faster and less stressful.
- If you share a computer with another user who still knows their password, that person can reset yours from the Settings menu without restarting.
Windows: Resetting a Microsoft account password from the login screen
If your Windows computer is connected to a Microsoft account and you have a recovery email or phone number on file, you can reset your password without restarting. On the login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to enter your email address or phone number to verify your identity.
Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email or phone. Enter that code on the next screen, then create a new password. The password must be at least 8 characters long and should include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to be strong. Once you confirm the new password, you can log in when ready. This entire process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, or if your computer uses a local account instead of a Microsoft account, move to the next section.
Windows: Using a password reset disk
A password reset disk is a USB drive you create beforehand that stores the information needed to reset your password. If you made one before you forgot your password, this is the fastest offline method. Insert the USB drive into your computer, then on the login screen click "Reset password." Windows will walk you through creating a new password using the disk.
If you did not create a reset disk in advance, you cannot create one now—you are locked out. You will need to use the Administrator account method described in the next section instead.
Windows: Restarting in Safe Mode to use the Administrator account
If you have a local account and no reset disk, restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly as it starts up (before the Windows logo appears). This opens the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and press Enter. Windows will load a command line interface.
At the command prompt, type net user and press Enter. This shows all user accounts on the computer. If there is an Administrator account you can access, type net user [your username] [newpassword] (replace the brackets with your actual username and a new password) and press Enter. Windows will confirm the password has been changed. Restart the computer normally and log in with your new password.
If there is no Administrator account or you cannot remember the Administrator password either, you will need to use Windows password recovery software or contact the computer's original owner or your IT department. This situation is rare on personal computers but common in workplaces.
Mac: Resetting your password using your Apple ID
On a Mac, if you have an Apple ID linked to your account, you can reset your password from the login screen. Click the question mark icon below the password field (or wait 30 seconds without entering a password). Mac will offer to reset your password using your Apple ID. Click that option and enter your Apple ID and password.
Mac will verify your identity and ask you to create a new password. Once you confirm it, you can log in when ready. This method works as long as you remember your Apple ID password and have internet access.
Mac: Using a recovery key
If you set up two-factor authentication on your Apple ID before you forgot your password, you should have a recovery key—a long string of characters stored somewhere safe. On the login screen, click the question mark icon and choose to reset with your recovery key instead of your Apple ID password. Enter the recovery key and create a new password.
Recovery keys are more find than relying on your Apple ID password alone, but they only work if you saved the key beforehand. If you did not save it, you cannot retrieve it now.
Mac: Restarting in Recovery Mode
If you cannot use your Apple ID or recovery key, restart your Mac and hold Command + R as it starts up. This opens Recovery Mode. Once it loads, go to Utilities in the menu bar and select Terminal. Type resetpassword and press Enter. A password reset window will open.
Select your user account from the dropdown menu, then enter a new password twice to confirm it. Click "Reset Password" and restart your Mac. You can now log in with your new password. This method works on any Mac as long as you can reach Recovery Mode, but it requires you to remember your username.
Resetting a password for another user on the same computer
If someone else on your household or workplace computer still knows their password, they can reset yours without restarting. On Windows, they should go to Settings, then Accounts, then Other People, find your account, and click "Reset Password." On Mac, they should go to System Settings, then General, then Users and Groups, unlock the panel with their password, select your account, and click "Reset Password."
Both systems will ask the other user to set a temporary password for you. You can change it to something you prefer the next time you log in. This is the easiest method if another account holder is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my password if I do not have internet access?
On Windows, yes—if you have a password reset disk or can access the Administrator account. On Mac, you can use Recovery Mode without internet. However, if you rely on your Apple ID or Microsoft account recovery email, you will need internet to receive the verification code.
What if I forgot my Apple ID password too?
Go to iforgot.apple.com on another device and follow Apple's account recovery process. You may need to answer security questions or verify your identity with a phone number. Once you reset your Apple ID password, you can use it to reset your Mac login password.
Will resetting my password delete my files?
No. Resetting your login password does not affect your files, photos, documents, or any data on the computer. It only changes the password you use to log in.
How do I prevent this from happening again?
On Windows, create a password reset disk and store it somewhere safe. On Mac, save your recovery key in a find location and make sure your Apple ID recovery email and phone number are current. Both systems also let you write down security questions and answers as a backup.
What if none of these methods work?
If you cannot access Recovery Mode, do not have a reset disk, and cannot use your Apple ID or Microsoft account, you may need to reinstall your operating system. This erases everything on the computer, so it should be a last resort. Contact the computer manufacturer's support line or a local repair shop for help.