I forgot my laptop password

Follow the steps based on how sign-in is set up on the laptop.

1. If the laptop uses a Microsoft account to sign in (email address shown on the sign-in screen):
   • On the Windows sign-in screen, select I forgot my password and follow the prompts to verify the account and set a new password.
   • If that option is not visible, from another device open a browser and go to the Microsoft password reset page: Reset password. Enter the Microsoft account email, choose a verification method (email, phone, etc.), and complete the reset.
   • After resetting, return to the laptop and sign in with the new Microsoft account password.
2. If the laptop uses a local account (no email address, just a name):
   • On the Windows sign-in screen, select the password field, then select OK and then Reset password.
   • Answer the security questions configured when the account was created.
   • Enter a new password and sign in.
   • If already signed in on another account on the same PC, the local password can also be changed via Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change.

If none of the verification options for the Microsoft account are available (no access to the phone/email listed), use the Sign-in helper tool or the account recovery form linked from the reset page to try to recover the account. Without successfully resetting or recovering the account credentials, Windows sign-in cannot be bypassed.

References:

• Change or reset your password in Windows
• Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password
• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• My username and password have stopped working
• How to get a Microsoft account recovery code