What to Do If You Forgot Your Windows or Mac Password

You sit down at your computer, type your password the way you always do, and it doesn't work. You try again, slower this time. Still nothing. It's a frustrating moment, but it's also a common one, and it's fixable.

If you forgot your Windows or Mac password, you have not lost your computer or the files on it. What you need to do next depends on what kind of account you use. This guide walks through each situation calmly, one at a time.

If you forgot your Windows or Mac password, start here

On a Windows computer, you're signed in either with a Microsoft account (the same email and password you'd use for Outlook, Xbox, or OneDrive) or a local account, which only exists on that one computer and isn't tied to an email address.

On a Mac, you're signed in with a local user account that can be linked to your Apple ID (the account you use for the App Store, iCloud, or FaceTime), or it may not be linked at all.

If you're not sure which you have, that's fine — the steps below will make it clear, because each option behaves differently when you try it.

If you use a Microsoft account on Windows

This is the easier case, because Microsoft can reset the password for you from any device with internet access, not just the locked computer.

On another device — a phone, tablet, or a different computer — go to a web browser and search for "Microsoft account password reset," or go directly to Microsoft's account recovery page.
Enter the email address you use to sign in to your computer.
Follow the steps to verify it's really you. Microsoft may send a code to your email or phone.
Create a new password.
Go back to your locked computer and sign in with the new password.

Give it a minute or two after you reset it — the change needs to reach your computer.

If you use a local account on Windows

Local accounts don't have an online recovery page, which makes them harder to recover. Windows can only help you reset the password if you set up security questions when you created the account.

If you did, the sign-in screen will show a "Reset password" link after you type the wrong password once. Click it, answer the questions you chose back then, and set a new password.

If that link doesn't appear, it means no security questions were ever saved, and Windows has no built-in way to recover or bypass the password. At that point, this is worth a call rather than guesswork — see "What to do if you're stuck" below.

If you use an Apple ID on your Mac

Type the wrong password a few times at the login screen, and macOS should offer you a way to reset it — often a small question-mark icon next to the password box, or a message offering to reset the password using your Apple ID.

Choose the option to reset using your Apple ID.
Sign in with your Apple ID email and password.
Follow the prompts to set a new login password for your Mac.

You may be asked to confirm your identity through a trusted device or security questions, depending on how your Apple ID is set up.

If your Mac doesn't offer the Apple ID option

Some Macs aren't linked to an Apple ID for login, so that option never appears. In that case, Apple's recovery system (reached by restarting the Mac in a special recovery mode) can offer a "Forgot all passwords?" option for computers with an administrator account. This process is more involved, and a wrong step can make things harder to undo, so it's a good one to get help with rather than attempt alone the first time.

How to avoid this next time

Once you're back in, it's worth taking a few minutes to make this less likely to happen again:

Write your password down somewhere safe, like inside a drawer at home — not taped to the screen.
On Windows, set up security questions for a local account if you haven't already, through your account settings.
Make sure your Mac is linked to your Apple ID, so the reset option is there if you ever need it.
If choosing a password you'll actually remember is the real problem, we have a guide to creating a strong password you can actually remember.

What to do if you're stuck

If none of this works, or you're not confident making these changes yourself, that's completely understandable — some of these steps involve settings most people rarely touch. If you'd rather a person sit with you and sort it out, whether in your home or over a remote session, Porchswing can help. Call (916) 521-0065 and we'll talk through what you're seeing before we do anything.

Common questions

Will I lose my files if my password gets reset?

Resetting a Windows or Mac password on its own does not delete your files. The situations where files can be at risk are rarer — for example, a Windows local account protected by certain encryption, or a Mac with FileVault turned on, where the recovery process is more sensitive. If you're not sure whether either applies to you, it's safer to get help before proceeding.

What if I don't remember which email I used for my Microsoft account or Apple ID?

Try the email addresses you use most often. Microsoft's and Apple's recovery pages can usually tell you if an account exists for an email you enter, even if you're not certain.

If something already feels wrong, or you'd rather a person handle it, we can help in your home or remotely. Call (916) 521-0065.