Unlock password laptop
If you forgot or lost your password for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, you may be able to change or reset it. To get started, choose your version of Windows from the tabs below. Show
Windows 11Windows 10Windows 8.1Windows 7
If you already know your current password and want to change itSelect Start> Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Password, select Change and follow the directions. Reset your Windows 11 local account passwordIf youve forgotten or lost your Windows 11 password for a local account and need to sign back in to your device, the below options might help you get up and running. For more info on local standard vs. administrative accounts, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows. Windows 11If 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:
Reset your Microsoft account password you use to sign in to your computerOn the sign-in screen, type your Microsoft account name if it's not already displayed. If there are multiple accounts on the computer, choose the one you want to reset. Below the password text box, selectI forgot my password.Follow the steps to reset your password. For more info, seeReset a forgotten Microsoft account password. Troubleshoot problems signing inIf you're still having trouble signing to your account, see more solutions in Troubleshoot problems signing in. If you already know your current password and want to change itSelect Start> Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options . Under Password, select the Change button and follow the steps. Reset your Windows 10 local account passwordIf youve forgotten or lost your Windows 10 password for a local account and need to sign back in to your device, the below options might help you get up and running. For more info on local standard vs. administrative accounts, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10. Windows 10version 1803 and laterIf 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:
Windows 10before version 1803For 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.
Warning:Resetting your device will permanently delete data, programs, and settings. Reset your Microsoft account password you use to sign in to your computerOn the sign-in screen, type your Microsoft account name if it's not already displayed. If there are multiple accounts on the computer, choose the one you want to reset. Below the password text box, selectI forgot my password.Follow the steps to reset your password. For more info, seeReset a forgotten Microsoft account password. Troubleshoot problems signing inIf you're still having trouble signing to your account, see more solutions in Troubleshoot problems signing in. Reset your passwordNote:If youve forgotten your Windows 10 password, see Reset your Windows 10 local account password. If you've forgotten your Windows 8.1 password, there are several ways to retrieve or reset it:
Ifyou still can't sign in, you must reinstall Windows.ForWindows RT 8.1, contact your PC manufacturer. More help with passwords in Windows 8.1I don't have my password. What do I do?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. Can I sign in without a password?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. How do I create a strong password?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. How do I change my password?You can update your password regularly to keep it more secure. If your PC isn't connected to a domain, follow these steps:
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:
Does my Microsoft account password affect the password on my email account?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. How do I sign in with a picture password?Create a picture password to sign in with gestures instead of by entering characters.
How can I remember my password?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. Reset your passwordThe steps to reset your password will vary a bit depending on if your computer is on a domain, or in a workgroup. If your computer is part of a work or school organization there's a good chance it's part of a domain. If this is a home computer it's almost certainly in a workgroup. My computer is on a domain
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
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