I forgot my computer password, Windows 7

Windows 11

If you added security questions when you set up your local account for Windows 11, then you can answer security questions to sign back in.

After you've entered an incorrect password:

1. Select the Reset password link on the sign-in screen. If you use a PIN instead, see PIN sign-in issues. If you're using a work device that's on a network, you may not see an option to reset your password or PIN. In that case, contact your administrator.

   Note: If you don't see security questions after you select the Reset password link, make sure your device name isn't the same as your local user account name (the name you see when you sign in). To see your device name, right-click Start , select System, and scroll to the Device specifications section. If the device name is the same as your account name, you can create a new administrator account, sign in as an administrator, and then rename your PC (when you view your device name, you can also rename it).

2. Answer your security questions.

3. Enter a new password.

4. Sign in as usual with the new password.

Windows 10 version 1803 and later

If you added security questions when you set up your local account for Windows 10, then you have at least version 1803 and you can answer security questions to sign back in.

After you've entered an incorrect password:

1. Select the Reset password link on the sign-in screen. If you use a PIN instead, see PIN sign-in issues. If you're using a work device that's on a network, you may not see an option to reset your password or PIN. In that case, contact your administrator.

   Note: If you don't see security questions after you select the Reset password link, make sure your device name isn't the same as your local user account name (the name you see when you sign in). To see your device name, right-click Start  in the taskbar, select System, and scroll to the Device specifications section. If the device name is the same as your account name, you can create a new administrator account, sign in as an administrator, and then rename your PC (when you view your device name, you can also rename it).

2. Answer your security questions.

3. Enter a new password.

4. Sign in as usual with the new password.

Windows 10 before version 1803

For versions of Windows 10 earlier than 1803, local account passwords can't be reset because there are no security questions. You can reset your device to choose a new password, however this option will permanently delete your data, programs, and settings. If you've backed up your files you'll be able to restore your deleted files. For more information, see Recovery options in Windows 10.
To reset your device, which will delete data, programs, and settings:

1. Press the Shift key while you select the Power  button > Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.

2. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

3. Select Remove everything.

Warning: Resetting your device will permanently delete data, programs, and settings.

If you forget or lose your password, see Reset your password above to reset or recover it. 

If you think your Microsoft account password has been compromised or stolen by someone with malicious intent, we can help. For more info, see When you can't sign in to your Microsoft account.

If you're signing in to only your local PC, yes. However, we recommend that you keep your PC more secure by using a strong password. When you use a password, only someone who knows it can sign in. If you want to sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account, a password is required. For more info, see Can I sign in to Windows without a password? To learn more about Microsoft accounts and local accounts, see Create a user account.

Stronger passwords contain a variety of characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols or spaces. A strong password should also be something that is difficult for a stranger to guess or crack. It shouldn't contain a complete word, or easy-to-find details like your real name, your user name, or your birth date.

If you're signing in to a Microsoft account, your password is limited to 16 characters. For more info about Microsoft accounts, see Create a user account.

You can update your password regularly to keep it more secure. If your PC isn't connected to a domain, follow these steps:

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

2. Tap or click Accounts, and then tap or click Sign-in options.

3. Tap or click Change your password and follow the instructions.

If your PC is connected to a domain, your system administrator might manage how frequently you must change your password. To do so, choose one of the following:

• If you're using a keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, tap or click Change a password, and follow the instructions.

• If you're using a tablet, press and hold the Windows button, press the power button, and then tap or click Change a password and follow the instructions.

It depends on whether you're using a third-party email address. If your email address ends in outlook.com, hotmail.com, live.com, or another Microsoft service, changing the password for your Microsoft account also changes it for that email service.

But you can use any email address for your Microsoft account, even an email address from a third-party web-based mail service like Google Mail or Yahoo! Mail. When you choose a password for your Microsoft account, it doesn't change the password you might need to use to sign in to web mail on a third-party site.

Create a picture password to sign in with gestures instead of by entering characters.

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

2. Tap or click Accounts, and then tap or click Sign-in options.

3. Under Picture password, tap or click Add, and then follow the instructions.

When you choose a password for your user account, it's important to pick something you can remember. You're going to need it again later!

Of course, you can also write your password down and keep it in a safe place. Taped to the underside of your laptop or the inside of your desk drawer is probably not a good idea, however. If you do write your password down, be sure to keep it separate from your PC.

For added security, use different passwords for different purposes. For example, it's a good idea to keep distinctly different passwords for a social networking account and your online bank account.

If you do forget or lose your password, there are still several things you can try to reset or recover it. For more info, see Reset your password above to reset or recover it.

My computer is on a domain

1. Sign in with a domain account that has administrator permissions to this device. If you're not sure, contact your organization's IT admin for help.

2. Select the Start button

   , select Control Panel, select User Accounts, select User Accounts, and then select Manage User Accounts.
   If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3. On the Users tab, under Users for this computer, select the user account name, and then select Reset Password.

4. Type the new password, confirm the new password, and then select OK.

Note: If you are logged on as an administrator, you can create and change passwords for all user accounts on the computer.

Warning: If you use an administrator account to change a password for another account, any encrypted files or e mail messages for that other account will no longer be accessible to the person who was using that account.

My computer is in a workgroup

1. If you type the wrong password when you attempt to log on, Windows displays a message that the password is incorrect. Select OK to close the message.

2. Select Reset password, and then insert your password reset disk or USB flash drive.

3. Follow the steps in the Password Reset wizard to create a new password.

4. Log on with the new password. If you forget your password again, you can use the same password reset disk. You don't need to make a new one.

Change your password

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and then select Change a password.

2. Type your old password followed by a new password as indicated, and then type the new password again to confirm it.

3. Press Enter.