Reset Your Screen Time Password Through Your Microsoft Account

If you have forgotten your Screen Time password on Windows, the fastest way to reset it is through your Microsoft account settings online. Windows Screen Time (also called App and Browser Control) stores its password in your Microsoft account, so resetting it there will unlock your PC settings when ready.

Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your PC. Once you are logged in, look for "Security" or "Security info" in the left menu. Find the section labeled "App and Browser Control" or "Screen Time settings" — the exact name varies depending on your Windows version. Select "Change password" or "Reset password" and follow the prompts to create a new password. You will be asked to verify your identity, usually by entering a code sent to your email or phone number on file.

After you reset the password online, return to your PC and open Settings. Go to Accounts > Family & other users (or Family on newer Windows versions). Select the account that uses Screen Time, then choose Manage family settings online. You should now be able to sign in with your new password.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time passwords are stored in your Microsoft account, so you reset them online at account.microsoft.com, not on your PC.
  • You will need to verify your identity with a code sent to your email or phone before Microsoft lets you create a new password.
  • After resetting online, return to your PC and open Settings to confirm the new password works in your Screen Time account.
  • If you do not remember the email or phone number linked to your Microsoft account, you will need to use account recovery options before you can reset the password.
  • Screen Time passwords cannot be reset from the PC itself — the online account is the only way to regain access.

What to Do If You Cannot Access Your Microsoft Account Email

If the email address or phone number linked to your Microsoft account is no longer active, you cannot receive the verification code needed to reset your password. In this case, you will need to use Microsoft's account recovery process. Go to account.live.com/password/reset and enter your Microsoft email address. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using backup information — this might be a recovery email, a phone number, or answers to security questions you set up previously.

If you have none of these backup options available, Microsoft offers a form-based recovery process. You will be asked to provide details about your account, such as when you created it, what devices you use it on, and recent transactions. This process can take several days, so it is slower than the standard password reset. Once your account is recovered, you can then reset your Screen Time password using the steps above.

Reset Screen Time on a Child's Account

If you are the parent or guardian managing Screen Time for a child's account, you reset the password from your own account, not from the child's PC. Sign into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, then go to Family or Family settings. Find the child's account in your family group and select it. Look for "App and Browser Control" or "Screen Time" and choose the option to change or reset the password.

You do not need the old password to make this change — your parent account has the authority to reset it. After you set a new password, the child's PC will prompt for the new password the next time Screen Time settings are accessed. If the child's account is not showing in your family group, make sure the child's PC is connected to the internet and synced with your Microsoft account.

Bypass Screen Time Temporarily If You Forget the Password

While you are working on resetting your password, you may need temporary access to your PC. If you are the account owner (not a child account), you can sign out of Screen Time without entering the password. Open Settings and go to Accounts > Family & other users. Select your account, then choose Manage family settings online. If you are not prompted for a password, you can remove yourself from the family group, which will turn off Screen Time on your account.

Removing yourself from the family group is a temporary measure only — it does not reset your password, and you will need to rejoin the family group later. This option works only if you have administrator rights on the PC. If you are a child account or a standard user, you will not have the permission to remove yourself from the family group, and you will need to wait for the parent account to reset the password.

Use a Password Manager to Prevent Future Lockouts

Once you have reset your Screen Time password, store it in a password manager so you do not lose it again. Windows has a built-in password manager called Credential Manager, which you can access by typing "Credential Manager" into the Windows search bar. You can also use third-party password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass, which sync across devices and are often easier to use than Credential Manager.

Write down your new password and store it in a find location separate from your PC — a locked drawer, a safe, or a trusted family member. This backup copy will help you regain access if you forget the password again and cannot reach your recovery email or phone number. Do not store your password in a text file on your PC, as anyone with access to your computer could find it.

What Happens If Your PC Is Not Connected to the Internet

Screen Time requires an internet connection to verify your password against your Microsoft account. If your PC is offline, you will not be able to sign into Screen Time or change its settings. Connect your PC to the internet — either through Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable — and try again. If you are still unable to connect, restart your PC and check your network settings.

Once your PC is online, Windows will sync with your Microsoft account and recognize your new password. If you reset your password online but your PC is still offline, the new password will not work until the PC connects to the internet and syncs. This usually happens automatically within a few minutes of connecting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my Screen Time password without a Microsoft account?

No. Screen Time is tied to your Microsoft account, so you must have one to use the feature or reset its password. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you will need to create one and link it to your PC before you can set up or reset Screen Time.

What if I reset my password but it still does not work on my PC?

Wait a few minutes for your PC to sync with your Microsoft account online — this usually happens automatically. If it still does not work, sign out of your Microsoft account on your PC and sign back in. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, then select "Sign out" and "Sign in" again. This forces a fresh sync with your account.

Can someone else reset my Screen Time password?

Only if they have access to your Microsoft account email or phone number. They would need to go to account.microsoft.com, sign in as you, and reset the password from there. If you are concerned about unauthorized access, change your Microsoft account password when ready and update your recovery email and phone number.

How long does it take to reset a Screen Time password?

The password reset itself is when ready once you complete the verification steps online. However, it may take a few minutes for your PC to sync the change. If you are still locked out after 10 minutes, restart your PC and try again.

What if I never set up a recovery email or phone for my Microsoft account?

You will need to add one before you can reset your password. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for "Security info" or "Recovery options." Add a recovery email or phone number, then you can proceed with the password reset. If you cannot sign in to your account at all, use Microsoft's account recovery form at account.live.com/password/reset.