Method 1: Microsoft Account Password Reset (Most Common)

If you sign into Windows with a Microsoft account (the default for most Windows 10/11 setups), resetting is straightforward:

  1. 1

    Go to account.microsoft.com/password/reset on any device

    Use your phone, another computer or tablet. Go to account.microsoft.com/password/reset. Enter your Microsoft account email address.

  2. 2

    Verify your identity

    Microsoft will send a verification code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter the code when prompted.

  3. 3

    Set a new password and sign in

    Create a new password. Return to your PC login screen and sign in with the new password. If the PC is online, the new password works immediately. If offline, you may need to connect to the internet first — switch to WiFi on the login screen.

Method 2: Windows PIN Reset (Login Screen)

  1. 4

    Click “I forgot my PIN” on the lock screen

    On the Windows login screen, below the PIN entry field, click “I forgot my PIN.” You will be asked to verify with your Microsoft account. Once verified, set a new PIN.

Method 3: Local Account — Security Questions

If you use a local account (not a Microsoft account): on the login screen, click Sign-in options or the account name → try the security questions option if you set them up during account creation. Answer all three correctly to reset the password.

Method 4: Windows Recovery Drive or Installation Media

  1. 5

    Boot from a Windows USB or recovery drive

    This is for local accounts with no recovery options. Create a Windows 10/11 installation USB on another computer (from Microsoft’s website, free). Boot from it (press F12 or F2 at startup to select boot device). Choose Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Reset this PC. This resets Windows but may require reinstalling some apps.

Prevent future lockoutsAdd a recovery email and phone number to your Microsoft account now (account.microsoft.com → Security). Enable Windows Hello PIN or fingerprint as an alternative to the password — these are easier to remember and more secure against brute-force attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

On your PC: Settings → Accounts → Your info. If you see your name with an email address (usually @hotmail.com, @outlook.com or @live.com, or any email), it is a Microsoft account. If it says “Local Account” below your name, it is a local account. Most Windows 10 and 11 PCs set up after 2019 use Microsoft accounts by default.
If your PC is offline, it may not know about the new password yet. On the login screen, click the WiFi icon in the bottom right to connect to your network. Once connected, try the new password again — Windows syncs with Microsoft servers and accepts it. If that does not work, try restarting while connected to the internet, then log in with the new password.