How to Reset a Windows Password Without Knowing the Admin Password

Forgetting a Windows password can be frustrating, especially when you do not know the administrator password either. But you still have several legitimate account-recovery options, depending on whether you use a Microsoft account, a local account, or a work or school account.

If you own the computer or are authorized to use it, you should use Microsoft’s account recovery and Windows recovery options instead. 

Microsoft specifically states that if no administrator account is available for resetting a local account, you may need to reset the Windows device for a fresh start.

Let’s learn in detail!

Can I reset a Windows Password Without Knowing the Admin Password?

If you have forgotten the Windows password and do not know another administrator’s password, first determine which type of account you use. For a Microsoft account, you can reset the password online or from the Windows sign-in screen. For a local account, Windows may allow you to reset the password using security questions or a previously created password reset disk.

 If those options are unavailable, Reset this PC may be the remaining supported recovery option.

1: Check whether you use a Microsoft account

Before attempting any recovery method, look at the Windows sign-in screen.

If the account shows an email address, such as an Outlook.com, Hotmail, or another Microsoft-associated address, you are probably signing in with a Microsoft account.

If Windows displays only a local username and does not show an email address, you may be using a local account.

This distinction is important because Microsoft accounts and local accounts use different password-recovery procedures. A Microsoft account is connected to Microsoft’s online services, while a local account exists specifically on the computer.

2: Try the “I forgot my password” option

If you use a Microsoft account, select I forgot my password on the Windows sign-in screen.

Windows will guide you through Microsoft’s identity-verification process. Depending on your account’s security settings, you may be asked to verify your identity using an available email address, phone number, or another verification method.

After successful verification, you can create a new Microsoft account password and use it to sign in to Windows. Microsoft documents this as the normal recovery process for forgotten Microsoft account passwords.

3: Reset the Microsoft account password from another device

If the Windows sign-in screen does not provide a convenient recovery option, use another phone, tablet, or computer that you can access.

Open Microsoft’s account password-reset page and enter the email address or username associated with your account. Select Next and follow the identity-verification instructions.

Microsoft may send a verification code to an email address or phone number associated with the account. Enter the code when requested and create a new password.

Once the password has been changed, return to your Windows computer and connect it to the internet. Then try signing in with the new password.

4: Try resetting a local account from the sign-in screen

If you use a local Windows account, select the password field on the sign-in screen and enter an incorrect password once.

If Windows displays a Reset password option, select it.

You may then be asked to answer the security questions that you configured when creating the local account. Answer the questions correctly and follow the instructions to create a new password.

This method does not require you to know another administrator’s password because Windows uses the previously configured recovery information to verify that you are authorized to reset the account.

5: Use a password reset disk if you created one

If you previously created a Windows password reset disk for the local account, you can use it from the sign-in screen.

Connect the password reset disk to the computer and select Reset password. Windows will guide you through selecting the appropriate recovery device and creating a new password.

A password reset disk must generally be created before you forget the password. You cannot normally create one after becoming locked out of the account. Microsoft lists this as another supported method for recovering a local account.

6: Try another sign-in method if one is available

You may not actually need to reset the Windows password if another Windows Hello sign-in method is already configured.

At the sign-in screen, select Sign-in options and look for available options such as a PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.

For example, if you remember your Windows Hello PIN, you may be able to access the computer without entering the account password. Windows treats the PIN separately from the Microsoft account password.

If you can sign in using another method, you can then use Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options to manage your password and other sign-in methods.

7: Ask another administrator to reset the local account

If another administrator account already exists on the computer and you have permission to use it, that administrator can reset the password for the affected local account.

After signing into the administrator account, open Computer Management, expand Local Users and Groups, select Users, right-click the affected account, and select Set Password.

The administrator can then create a new password for that local account. Microsoft documents this as the supported method when another administrator account is available.

8: Reset the PC if no supported password-recovery option works

If you are using a local account, have forgotten the password, do not have a password reset disk, cannot answer the security questions, and do not have access to another administrator account, Microsoft states that you may need to reset the Windows device.

Windows provides a Keep my files option that reinstalls Windows while preserving personal files, although applications and settings are removed. There is also a Remove everything option, which removes personal files, applications, and settings.

Before choosing this option, make sure you understand the consequences. If the computer is encrypted with BitLocker or device encryption, you may also need the BitLocker recovery key during recovery.

FAQs

Can I reset a Windows password without knowing the administrator password?

It depends on the account type and recovery options available. A Microsoft account can generally be recovered through Microsoft’s identity-verification process. A local account may be reset using security questions or a password reset disk. If none of these options are available and no administrator account can help, Microsoft recommends resetting the PC.

Can I bypass the Windows administrator password?

Windows does not provide a supported feature for bypassing an administrator password. Recovery should be performed through the account’s authorized recovery methods or Windows recovery options.

Will resetting Windows delete my files?

Not necessarily. Windows provides a Keep my files reset option that preserves personal files while removing applications and settings. However, you should back up important data whenever possible before performing a reset.

What if I forgot both my PIN and password?

If you use a Microsoft account, select I forgot my PIN or I forgot my password, depending on which recovery option is displayed. Microsoft recommends resetting the password first when both credentials have been forgotten.

Can I recover a local account without security questions?

If you do not have the security answers, a password reset disk, or another administrator account, the normal local-account recovery options may not be available. Microsoft states that resetting the Windows device may then be necessary.

Does resetting the Microsoft account password reset the Windows password?

When you sign in to Windows using a Microsoft account, the Microsoft account password is used for authentication. After changing it online, use the new password when signing into Windows.

Summary

Forgetting a Windows password does not always mean that you have lost access to your computer. Start by determining whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account. Microsoft account users can recover their password through identity verification, while local account users may be able to use security questions or a password reset disk.

If another administrator account exists, that administrator can reset a local user’s password. If none of these recovery options are available, Reset this PC is Microsoft’s supported last-resort option. 

Avoid relying on unofficial password-bypass techniques, particularly on computers containing important personal or business information.