Reset Windows 10 Password: 4 Working Methods

If you’re locked out of your Windows 10 PC, you can still get back in. This guide covers four practical ways to reset, remove, or recover your password—using your Microsoft account, a password reset disk, another admin account, or built-in recovery tools. You’ll need access to another device or a second account for most methods, and you’ll need to know which type of account you use (Microsoft account vs. local account).

What You’ll Need

A Microsoft account (if you use one to sign in to Windows)
Another Windows 10 PC or a smartphone with internet access (for the Microsoft account method)
A USB flash drive (if you made a password reset disk previously)
Access to another administrator account on the same PC (for the admin account method)
A Windows 10 installation USB or recovery drive (for the command prompt method)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Reset via Microsoft Account (Online)

This works if you sign in with an email address and password (Microsoft account) and you have internet access on another device.

On any device, go to account.live.com/password/reset.
Select I forgot my password and click Next.
Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account, then complete the CAPTCHA and click Next.
Choose how you want to receive a security code (email, text, or alternate email), then click Next.
Enter the code you received, then click Next.
Create a new password (at least 8 characters, with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols), then click Next.
Once the reset is confirmed, go back to your locked PC, enter the new password on the lock screen, and sign in.

Method 2: Use a Password Reset Disk

This only works if you created a password reset disk before you got locked out. It works for local accounts only.

Insert the USB flash drive that you used as the password reset disk into your locked PC.
On the login screen, enter any wrong password once. Windows will display a Reset password link below the password box.
Click Reset password to launch the Password Reset Wizard.
Click Next, then select your USB drive from the drop-down list.
Enter a new password and a password hint (optional), then click Next.
Click Finish, remove the USB drive, and sign in with your new password.

Method 3: Use Another Administrator Account

If you have a second account on the PC with administrator privileges, you can reset the password from there.

Sign in to the PC using the other administrator account.
Right-click the Start button and select Computer Management.
In the left pane, expand Local Users and Groups and click Users.
Right-click the account whose password you want to reset, then select Set Password.
Click Proceed on the warning, then enter a new password twice and click OK.
Sign out and sign in with the new password.

Method 4: Reset via Command Prompt (Recovery Environment)

This method works for local accounts and doesn’t require another admin account. You’ll need a Windows 10 installation USB or recovery drive.

Insert the Windows 10 installation USB or recovery drive into the locked PC and boot from it (you may need to press a key like F12 or Esc during startup to choose the boot device).
Select your language and click Next.
Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left corner.
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt, type move c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak and press Enter.
Type copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe and press Enter.
Type exit and press Enter, then restart the PC (remove the USB drive).
On the login screen, click the Ease of Access icon (the clock with arrows) in the bottom-right corner. This will open a Command Prompt window.
Type net user and press Enter to see a list of all user accounts.
Type net user [username] [newpassword] (replace [username] with the actual account name and [newpassword] with your new password) and press Enter.
Close the Command Prompt, then sign in with the new password.
After signing in, open Command Prompt as administrator and restore the original file: type move c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe and press Enter.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong account type: The Microsoft account method won’t work for local accounts, and vice versa. Check if your email address appears on the login screen.
Skipping the security code: If you don’t have access to the recovery email or phone, you’ll need to wait or use another method.
Typing the username wrong in net user: The username is case-insensitive but must match exactly. Use net user to list all accounts first.
Forgetting to restore utilman.exe: If you leave the modified file, anyone can open a command prompt from the login screen. Always restore it after signing in.
Using a password reset disk for a Microsoft account: Password reset disks only work for local accounts.

Tips

Create a password reset disk now: Even if you don’t need it today, make one for your local account. Plug in a USB drive, search for “password reset” in the Control Panel, and follow the wizard.
Use a PIN instead: If you have a Microsoft account, consider setting up a PIN for faster sign-in. It’s tied to the device and can be reset with your Microsoft account password.
Keep your recovery email/phone updated: If you change your phone number or email, update it in your Microsoft account settings so you can always reset your password.
Write down your password hint: When setting a local account password, always add a hint that makes sense only to you.
Try the “I forgot my PIN” link: If you use a PIN and forget it, the login screen often shows a link to reset it using your Microsoft account password.

Troubleshooting

Method 1 fails with “We couldn’t find an account”: Double-check the email address. If you use a local account, this method won’t work—try Method 3 or 4 instead.

Method 2 shows no “Reset password” link: The link only appears after you enter a wrong password once. If it still doesn’t show, you didn’t create a reset disk for this account, or the USB drive isn’t recognized.

Method 3 shows “Access is denied”: You must be signed in as an administrator. If your second account is standard, you can’t reset other users’ passwords.

Method 4 doesn’t boot from USB: Enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually F2, F10, or Del during startup) and change the boot order to put USB first. Also ensure the USB is properly created as a bootable drive.

Method 4: “net user” says access denied: The Command Prompt opened by the Ease of Access trick runs as SYSTEM, which has full access. If you still get denied, you may have typed the command in the wrong window—make sure it’s the one that opened from the login screen, not the recovery environment.

Method 4: You can’t remember the exact username: Run net user first to list all accounts. The name appears exactly as shown, including spaces (use quotes around it if it has spaces, e.g., net user "John Doe" newpass).

After any method, you still can’t sign in: Make sure Caps Lock is off and you’re typing the password correctly. If you used Method 4, verify you restored utilman.exe—if not, repeat the restore step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I reset my Windows 10 password without losing files?
A: Yes. All four methods above reset the password without touching your files, apps, or personal data.

Q: What’s the difference between a Microsoft account and a local account?
A: A Microsoft account uses an email address and syncs settings across devices. A local account exists only on that PC. The login screen shows your email if you use a Microsoft account.

Q: I never set a password, but Windows asks for one. What do I do?
A: Try leaving the password field blank and press Enter. If that fails, try your Microsoft account password (even if you don’t remember setting one). If neither works, use Method 3 or 4.

Q: Will resetting the password disable BitLocker encryption?
A: If you have BitLocker enabled, you may be asked for a recovery key after resetting the password. Keep your BitLocker recovery key safe (it’s often saved to your Microsoft account).

Q: Can I remove the password entirely?
A: Yes. After signing in, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, and under “Password” click “Change”, then leave the new password fields blank and click Next. You’ll sign in automatically next time.

Q: Is it legal to reset a Windows password?
A: Resetting the password on your own PC is fine. Doing it on someone else’s computer without permission is not. Only use these methods on devices you own or are authorized to manage.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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