How to Change or Reset a Windows Password

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Whether you want to change your Windows password for safety and security reasons or you need to reset the password because you forgot it and are no longer able to sign into your Windows device, we can assist you with all that. This guide will show you various methods to change or reset your Windows password, for both Local or Microsoft accounts.

What You'll Need:

• No extra tools or supplies are needed.

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Before You Begin:

Extra instructions.

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2. Change a Known Password of a Windows Account

If you know the password of your Windows account and you wish to change it to something else, for any reason, you can do it in a few ways. It's important to know that on a Windows device there are two types of accounts you can sign in with:

• Using a Local Account
• Using a Microsoft Account

The process of changing the password is slightly different for each type of account. If you don't know the type of account you're using, we'll show you below how to tell the difference. Expand the instructions for the type of device you are using:

On a Windows 10 Device

1. Open the Start menu, click your User account then select Change account settings.
   

1. In the new window, select Sign-in options.
   

1. In the right pane of the window, look under Your info. You will see the type of account you're using under your username:
2. Local Account

1. If you're using a Local Account it will simply say just that.
2. Microsoft Account

1. If you're using a Microsoft Account it will display the email address associated with that account.

On a Windows 8 Device

1. Move the mouse to the top right corner of the screen to show the Charms bar.
2. If you're using a tablet, slide your finger inward from the right edge of the screen.

1. Then select Settings.
   

1. And go to Change PC Settings.
   

1. After that, select Accounts.
   

1. In the right pane of the window you will see the type of account you're using under your username:
2. Local Account

1. If you're using a Local Account it will simply say just that.
2. Microsoft Account

1. If you're using a Microsoft Account it will display the email address associated with that account.

Next, depending on the type of account and device you have, choose the method that fits your situation below:

Change the Password of a Local Account

On a Windows 10 Device

1. Open the Start menu, click your User account then select Change account settings.
   

1. In the new window, select Sign-in options.
   

1. In the right pane of the window, select Password.
   

1. Then click Change.
   

1. Enter your Current password and click Next.
   

1. Enter your new password in the New password and Confirm password fields, enter a Password hint that can remind you what the password is in case you forget it, and click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation that your password was changed. Click Finish.
   

On a Windows 8 Device

1. Move the mouse to the top right corner of the screen to show the Charms bar.
2. If you're using a tablet, slide your finger inward from the right edge of the screen.

1. Then select Settings.
   

1. And go to Change PC Settings.
   

1. After that, select Accounts.
   

1. Then select Sign-in options.
   

1. In the right pane, click the Change button under the Password heading.
   

1. Enter your Current password and click Next.
   

1. Enter your new password in the New password and Renter password fields, enter a Password hint that can remind you what the password is in case you forget it, and click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation that your password was changed. Click Finish.
   

Change the Password of a Microsoft Account

Online from Any Device

1. Open a web browser and navigate to login.live.com.
   

1. Enter the Email address, Phone number or Skype name associated with your Microsoft account, then click Next.
   

1. Enter the Password associated with your Microsoft account then click Sign in.
   

1. At the top of the page, go to Security.
   

1. Then go to Change your password.
   

1. You'll need to verify your account by entering a security code. Depending on how you set the account up, you'll be asked to choose where the security code should be sent.
   

1. 
   Choose between:
2. Sending an email to your alternate email address
3. Enter your alternate email address that matches the one added to your Microsoft account and click Send code.
   

1. In a separate window or tab of your web browser, sign in to your alternate email account and look for an email from the Microsoft account team which will contain the security code.
2. Enter the security code that you just received and click Verify.
   

1. Enter your Current password then the new one in the New password and Reenter password fields, then click Save.
   

2. Sending a text to your mobile phone number
3. Enter the Last 4 digits of your mobile phone number including the last two that are already shown and click Send code.
   

1. You'll receive a text message on your mobile phone which will contain the security code.
   
2. The security code is within the text message and is not the phone number that you receive the text message from.
3. Enter the security code that you just received and click Verify.
   

1. Enter your Current password then the new one in the New password and Reenter password fields, then click Save.
   

On a Windows 10 Device

1. Open the Start menu, click your User account then select Change account settings.
   

1. In the new window, select Sign-in options.
   

1. In the right pane of the window, select Password.
   

1. Then click Change.
   

1. Enter your Current password and click Next.
   

1. You'll need to verify your account by entering a security code. Depending on how you set the account up, you'll be asked to choose where the security code should be sent.
   

1. 
   Choose between:
2. Sending an email to your alternate email address
3. Enter your alternate email address that matches the one added to your Microsoft account and click Send code.
   

1. Open a web browser, sign in to your alternate email account and look for an email from the Microsoft account team which will contain the security code.
2. Enter the security code that you just received and click Verify.
   

1. Enter your Current password and the New password, then click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation message that your password was changed. Click Finish.
   

2. Sending a text to your mobile phone number
3. Enter the Last 4 digits of your mobile phone number including the last two that are already shown and click Send code.
   

1. You'll receive a text message on your mobile phone which will contain the security code.
   
2. The security code is within the text message and is not the phone number that you receive the text message from.
3. Enter the security code that you just received and click Verify.
   

1. Enter your Current password and the New password, then click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation message that your password was changed. Click Finish.
   

On a Windows 8 Device

1. Move the mouse to the top right corner of the screen to show the Charms bar.
2. If you're using a tablet, slide your finger inward from the right edge of the screen.

1. Then select Settings.
   

1. And go to Change PC Settings.
   

1. After that, select Accounts.
   

1. Then select Sign-in options.
   

1. In the right pane, click the Change button under the Password heading.
   

1. You'll need to verify your Microsoft account. Enter your account's password and click Next.
   

1. Enter your current password again in the Old password field, then enter your new password in the Create password and Renter password fields, and click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation that your password was changed. Click Finish.
   

3. Reset a Forgotten Password of a Windows Account

If you do not know the password of your Windows account and you need to reset it to recover your account, you can do it in a few ways. It's important to know that on a Windows device there are two types of accounts you can sign in with:

• Using a Local Account
• Using a Microsoft Account

The process of resetting the password is slightly different for each type of account. If you don't know the type of account you're using, we'll show you below how to tell the difference. Once you type in an incorrect password you'll be shown a message instructing you to try again. If you're using a Microsoft Account, the message will clarify that you need to type in the password associated with that account.

Next, depending on the type of account and device you have, choose the method that fits your situation below:

Reset the Password of a Local Account

On a Windows 10 Device

1. Once you type in an incorrect password you'll be shown the Password hint that you created together with your password to remind you what it is in case you forget it. Use that hint to try to figure out what the password is.
   

1. If you can't remember your password using the password hint, then you can reset it using the security questions you set for your account. Click Reset password.
2. Resetting a local account password using the security questions is only available to you if Windows 10 was updated to version 1803 or later.

1. Enter the three security answers that you set up for your account and press Enter.
   

1. Enter your new password in the New password and Confirm password fields then press Enter.
   

1. Your other option is to reset the Windows 10 device to remove the password.
2. Resetting the Windows 10 device to factory defaults will remove all personal files, customizations and installed apps. Make sure you're data is backed up before you proceed.
3. Factory Reset Your Windows PC
4. How to Reset or Reinstall Windows on a PC or Laptop

On a Windows 8 Device

1. Once you type in an incorrect password you'll be shown the Password hint that you created together with your password to remind you what it is in case you forget it. Use that hint to try to figure out what the password is.
   

1. If you can't remember your password using the password hint, your other option is to reset the Windows 8 device to remove the password.
2. Resetting the Windows 8 device to factory defaults will remove all personal files, customizations and installed apps. Make sure you're data is backed up before you proceed.
3. Factory Reset Your Windows PC
4. How to Factory Reset Your Acer One 10 Tablet

Reset the Password of a Microsoft Account

Online from Any Device

1. Open a web browser and navigate to account.live.com/password/reset.
   

1. Enter the Email address, Phone number or Skype name associated with your Microsoft account then click Next.
   

1. You'll need to verify your account by entering a security code. Depending on how you set the account up, you'll be asked to choose where the security code should be sent.
   

1. 
   Choose between:
   
2. Sending an email to your alternate email address
3. Enter the hidden part of your alternate email address including the first two letters that are already shown and click Get code.
   

1. In a separate window or tab of your web browser, sign in to your alternate email account and look for an email from the Microsoft account team which will contain the security code.
2. Enter the security code that you just received and click Next.
   

1. Enter your new password in both the New password and Reenter password fields, then click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation message that your password was changed. You can then sign in to your Microsoft account with the new password.
   

2. Sending a text to your mobile phone number
3. Enter the Last 4 digits of your mobile phone number including the last two that are already shown and click Get code.
   

1. You'll receive a text message on your mobile phone which will contain the security code.
   
2. The security code is within the text message and is not the phone number that you receive the text message from.
3. Enter the security code that you just received and click Next.
   

1. Enter your new password in both the New password and Reenter password fields, then click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation message that your password was changed. You can then sign in to your Microsoft account with the new password.
   

2. The I don't have any of these option
3. If you choose this option, you'll be asked to provide some information about your Microsoft account. It would be best if you provided these details from a device and location from which and where you've signed in before into the account.
4. Enter an alternate contact email address where you'd like to receive the security code, then enter the characters you see in the verification image and click Next.
   

1. In a separate window or tab of your web browser, sign in to your contact email account and look for an email from the Microsoft account team which will contain the security code.
2. Enter the security code that you just received and click Verify.
   

1. Next, you'll have to provide some information about your Microsoft account. Provide as many details as you can but most importantly your First Name and / or Last Name, and your Birth Date, then click Next.
   

1. Provide as many details as you can on the next page as well, but most importantly your Other passwords that you've used with your account before, then click Next.
   

1. You'll receive a confirmation message that the information you provided was submitted.
   

1. Check your contact email account periodically, and look for another email from the Microsoft account team for further instructions. If you provided enough information to verify your identity, you'll receive a link to reset your Microsoft account's password. Click that link to continue.
2. You'll be asked to confirm your Microsoft account again. Enter the Email address, Phone number or Skype name associated with it then click Next.
   

1. Enter your new password in both the New password and Reenter password fields then click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation message that your password was changed. You can then sign in to your Microsoft account with the new password.
   

On a Windows 10 Device

1. On the Sign-in screen, click I forgot my password.
   

1. You'll need to verify your account by entering a security code. Depending on how you set the account up, you'll be asked to choose where the security code should be sent.
   

1. 
   Choose between:
   
2. Sending an email to your alternate email address
3. Enter the hidden part of your alternate email address including the first two letters that are already shown and click Get code.
   

1. On a different device, open a web browser, sign in to your alternate email account and look for an email from the Microsoft account team which will contain the security code.
2. Enter the security code that you just received and click Next.
   

1. Enter your new password in the Create password field then click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation message that your password was changed. You can then sign in to your Microsoft account with the new password.
   

2. Sending a text to your mobile phone number
3. Enter the Last 4 digits of your mobile phone number including the last two that are already shown and click Get code.
   

1. You'll receive a text message on your mobile phone which will contain the security code.
   
2. The security code is within the text message and is not the phone number that you receive the text message from.
3. Enter the security code that you just received and click Next.
   

1. Enter your new password in the Create password field then click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation message that your password was changed. You can then sign in to your Microsoft account with the new password.
   

2. The I don't have any of these option
3. If you choose this option, you'll be asked to provide some information about your Microsoft account. It would be best if you provided these details from a device and location from which and where you've signed in before into the account.
4. You'll be provided a website link from where you'll be able to reset your password.
   

1. On a different device, open a web browser and navigate to the provided link. You can also just simply navigate to account.live.com/acsr.
   

1. Enter the Email address, Phone number or Skype name associated with your Microsoft account, then enter an alternate contact email address where you'd like to receive the security code, then enter the characters you see in the verification image and click Next.
   

1. In a separate window or tab of your web browser, sign in to your contact email account and look for an email from the Microsoft account team which will contain the security code.
2. Enter the security code that you just received and click Verify.
   

1. Next, you'll have to provide some information about your Microsoft account. Provide as many details as you can but most importantly your First Name and / or Last Name, and your Birth Date, then click Next.
   

1. Provide as many details as you can on the next page as well, but most importantly your Other passwords that you've used with your account before, then click Next.
   

1. You'll receive a confirmation message that the information you provided was submitted.
   

1. Check your contact email account periodically and look for another email from the Microsoft account team for further instructions. If you provided enough information to verify your identity, you'll receive a link to reset your Microsoft account's password. Click that link to continue.
2. You'll be asked to confirm your Microsoft account again. Enter the Email address, Phone number or Skype name associated with it then click Next.
   

1. Enter your new password in both the New password and Reenter password fields then click Next.
   

1. You'll get a confirmation message that your password was changed. You can then sign in to your Microsoft account with the new password.
   

On a Windows 8 Device

If you forgot the password for your Microsoft account and you're unable to sign in on a Windows 8 device, you'll have to use one of the above methods to reset it:

• Online from any device.
• On a Windows 10 device.
  
• If you're using the same Microsoft account to sign in to both Windows 8 and Windows 10 devices.