You can reset a Windows or Mac computer without the original password, but the method depends on which operating system you use and what recovery options you set up beforehand

If you are locked out of your computer, you have several paths forward. Windows machines can be reset using a Microsoft account recovery email, a local account password hint, or a bootable recovery drive. Mac computers can be reset through your Apple ID, a recovery key, or macOS Recovery Mode. The fastest route depends on whether you remember any backup information and how much time you have — some methods take minutes, others require you to erase everything on the drive and start over.

The key difference is that recovery methods only work if you set them up before you got locked out. If you did not, your options narrow to a full factory reset, which erases all your files. This section explains what you can do right now, and the sections below cover each method in order of speed.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a Microsoft account can reset the password using a recovery email or phone number linked to that account.
  • Mac users can reset the password using their Apple ID, a recovery key, or by booting into Recovery Mode and creating a new administrator account.
  • If you set up a password hint on Windows, you can view it from the login screen without entering the password.
  • A full factory reset erases all files on the computer but does not require any recovery information — it is the slowest option but works when nothing else does.
  • Some methods require you to restart the computer in a special mode; the key combination varies by operating system and sometimes by year of manufacture.

Resetting a Windows Password Using Your Microsoft Account

If your Windows computer is connected to a Microsoft account (not a local account), you can reset the password from any web browser on any device. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Security" in the left menu, then select "Password security" or "Change password". You will be asked to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you registered with Microsoft. Once verified, you can set a new password and use it to log back into your computer.

This method works only if you remember the email address or phone number tied to your Microsoft account. If you do not, you will need to answer security questions or provide other proof of identity to Microsoft before they let you reset the password. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how quickly you respond to their verification requests.

After you reset the password online, restart your computer and log in with the new password at the Windows login screen. You do not need to do anything else on the computer itself.

Using a Password Hint on Windows (Local Accounts Only)

If you created a local Windows account (one that is not connected to a Microsoft account) and set up a password hint, you can see that hint without logging in. On the Windows login screen, enter any password, then click "Reset password" or look for a link that says "I forgot my password". Windows will display the hint you created when you first set the password.

The hint should jog your memory enough to remember the actual password. If it does not, or if you did not create a hint, you will need to use one of the other methods in this guide.

Creating a Bootable Password Reset Drive on Windows

If you have access to another Windows computer and a USB drive, you can create a password reset disk on that other machine, then use it to reset your password on the locked computer. On the working computer, plug in the USB drive, open the Control Panel, go to "User Accounts", and select "Create a password reset disk". Follow the prompts to create the disk, which takes about five minutes.

Then plug the USB drive into the locked computer, restart it, and insert the USB drive when prompted. Windows will walk you through creating a new password. This method works for local accounts only, not Microsoft accounts.

If you do not have another Windows computer available, you can read a third-party tool like Ophcrack or Hiren's Boot CD on a different machine, burn it to a USB drive, and boot the locked computer from that drive. These tools can reset or remove Windows passwords without erasing your files, though the process is more technical and takes longer than the built-in reset disk method.

Resetting a Mac Password Using Your Apple ID

On a Mac, restart the computer and hold down the power button until you see "Loading startup options". Select your startup disk, then look for a "?" icon or a "Forgot password?" option on the login screen. Click it and enter your Apple ID email and password. Apple will verify your identity, and you can then set a new Mac password.

This method works only if your Mac is connected to an Apple ID and you remember that Apple ID password. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com using a recovery email or phone number, then use the new Apple ID password to reset your Mac password.

Using Recovery Mode to Reset a Mac Password

If you do not have access to your Apple ID, you can boot your Mac into Recovery Mode and create a new administrator account. Restart the Mac and when ready hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo. This launches Recovery Mode, which gives you access to utilities that bypass the normal login screen.

In Recovery Mode, open the Utilities menu and select "Reset Password". Choose your user account from the dropdown, then set a new password. If that option is grayed out, go back to Utilities and select "Terminal". Type resetpassword and press Enter, which opens the password reset tool. Follow the prompts to create a new password for your account.

If you still cannot reset the password, you can create a new administrator account from Recovery Mode. Open Utilities, select "System Information", then go to File menu and choose "Create a new account". This new account will have full access to the Mac, and you can use it to access your old files.

Using a Mac Recovery Key

If you saved a recovery key when you first set up your Mac (a 28-character code that Apple provides), you can use it to reset your password without needing your Apple ID. On the login screen, click "Forgot password?" and select "Use recovery key" instead of entering your Apple ID. Type the recovery key and set a new password.

Recovery keys are created during Mac setup and are usually printed or saved to a file. If you have the key but cannot find it, check your email for messages from Apple, or look in any documents you saved during the initial setup process.

Performing a Full Factory Reset

If none of the above methods work, you can perform a factory reset, which erases everything on the computer and reinstalls the operating system. This is the slowest option and you will lose all your files unless you have a backup, but it does not require any recovery information.

On Windows, restart the computer and press F11 or F12 repeatedly as it boots (the key varies by manufacturer). Look for an option called "Reset this PC" or "Factory Reset". Select "Remove everything" and follow the prompts. Windows will reinstall itself and you will be able to create a new account with a new password. The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and drive size.

On a Mac, restart and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Open Disk Utility, select your startup disk, and click "Erase". Choose a format (usually APFS for newer Macs, HFS+ for older ones) and confirm. Then close Disk Utility, go back to the Recovery Mode menu, and select "Reinstall macOS". Follow the prompts to reinstall the operating system. This also takes 30 minutes to two hours.

After the factory reset completes, you will be asked to create a new user account and password. You can then log in and set up the computer as if it were brand new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without restarting the computer?

No. All password reset methods require you to restart the computer and access it before Windows or macOS fully loads. You cannot reset the password from within the normal operating system if you are already locked out.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No, unless you perform a full factory reset. Password reset methods using Microsoft accounts, Apple IDs, recovery keys, or Recovery Mode all preserve your files. Only the factory reset option erases everything.

What if I do not remember my Apple ID or Microsoft account password?

You can reset those passwords on the company's website. For Microsoft, go to account.microsoft.com/security. For Apple, go to iforgot.apple.com. Both will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number before letting you set a new password.

How long does a factory reset take?

A full factory reset usually takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on your internet speed, how much data is on the drive, and your computer's age. Older computers may take longer. You will need to stay connected to power and the internet during the entire process.

Can I recover my files after a factory reset?

If you have a backup (Time Machine on Mac, File History on Windows), you can restore your files after the reset is complete. If you do not have a backup, recovery is possible but requires specialized data recovery software or a professional service, and success is not may provide.