How to: Reset Windows 10 Password

Infopackets Reader Gale S. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I just purchased a brand new Windows 10 laptop, and created a new Microsoft Account when I first logged in. The problem is however, I forgot my Microsoft Account password! Now I can't get back into Windows 10 because my password isn't working! I don't know what to do. Can you help? "

My response:

There are two ways you can reset your Windows 10 email password; one involves resetting your email password by phone (if enabled), or by computer. The other involves converting your resetting the password using a password reset trick using a USB or DVD drive.

If you're not using an email address to login to Windows 10 (and you're using a local account instead), you can also reset your password using the password reset trick. I'll describe both methods below.

Option #1: Reset Your Windows 10 Password (via Microsoft's  website)

If you created a Microsoft account and are using an email address to login to Windows 10, then you can reset your password using another machine (or smart phone) via Microsoft's Windows Live password reset page. This is the easiest way to reset your Windows 10 password. If this method does not work for you, proceed to Option #2.

Option #2: Reset Windows 10 Password: Using the Password Reset Trick

Alternatively you can reset your Windows 10 password using the 'password reset trick'. This involves the following:

• Use either a Windows DVD or Hiren's Boot CD to gain access to Windows
• Enable the Administrator account
• Use the Administrator Account to convert your Microsoft Account to a local account, so you can change the password locally.

This password reset trick works with Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10 and allows you to reset any user account password (and not just the one you forgot). I've spent much of this morning amending the article to work with Windows 10 as well as additional instructions using Hiren's Boot CD if you don't have a Windows DVD available. You can read more here:

How to: Reset Any Password: Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10

I hope that helps.

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About the author: Dennis Faas is the owner and operator of Infopackets.com. With over 30 years of computing experience, Dennis' areas of expertise are a broad range and include PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Linux, network administration, and virtualization. Dennis holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (1999) and has authored 6 books on the topics of MS Windows and PC Security. If you like the advice you received on this page, please up-vote / Like this page and share it with friends. For technical support inquiries, Dennis can be reached via Live chat online this site using the Zopim Chat service (currently located at the bottom left of the screen); optionally, you can contact Dennis through the website contact form.