How to reset password for unlocking a laptop?

Jefimija Miletic 0 Reputation points
2026-08-23T22:51:55.34+00:00

Hello! How can I reset a password for unlocking a laptop? I know there are those questions which apears if you dont know the password, but the problem is I didn't set those questions myself so I don't know the answers for them. So I would like to ask you for help. Thank you!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows Hello, lock screen and sign-in
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  1. EmilyS726 264.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-23T23:30:33.8666667+00:00

    Hello

    If it is asking you for answers to the security questions, it means the account is not linked to your Microsoft account, but it is a local user.

    In this case, you will need to answer the security questions or use a password recovery USB if you have made one prior to this on this computer.

    Otherwise, there's no other way around this. You will need to clean install Windows in that case to start over. Any attempt to bypass security measures is considered a violation of the code of conduct by the moderators on this platform.

    Try this: from the sign-in screen, you can usually hold Shift, click Power > Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything.

    If that doesn't work, do clean install.

    The following steps should be done on a working Windows computer:

    Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official website. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

    Run the tool and select "Create installation media for another PC."

    Choose your language, edition, and architecture (32 or 64-bit) and select "Next."

    Choose "USB flash drive" as the media to use for the installation and select "Next."

    Connect a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space to your computer.

    Select the USB flash drive you want to use, and then select "Next."

    The tool will then download the required files and create the installation media.

    =====================================================

    Now these steps will  be done on your problematic computer:

    Go to the computer's BIOS boot menu to have it boot from the USB drive.

    Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10, making sure to choose "Custom install" and select the option to delete all existing partitions.

    Once the installation is complete, you'll have a clean installation of Windows 10 on your computer.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-23T22:52:11.7633333+00:00

    If the laptop uses a Microsoft account:

    1. On the sign-in screen, select I forgot my password.
    2. If available, select Sign-in options > Web sign-in, sign in, then select Forgot my password.
    3. From another device or browser, use Reset password and follow the identity verification steps.
    4. If verification options are missing or no longer accessible, use the Sign-in Helper tool.

    If the laptop uses a local account:

    1. On the Windows sign-in screen, select the arrow next to the password box.
    2. Select OK > Reset password.
    3. Answer the security questions that were set for that account.

    If the security questions were not set by the account owner or the answers are unknown, Microsoft support cannot retrieve or bypass a lost or forgotten password for a local account.

    If access is still available with a PIN and the device is already signed in:

    1. Open Settings.
    2. Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
    3. Select Password > Change.
    4. If the current password is forgotten, select Forgot my current password and follow the verification steps.

    If this is a new laptop with no important data yet, a reset through Windows Recovery Environment is a last resort because it removes data and settings:

    1. On the lock screen, hold Shift and select Power > Restart.
    2. In recovery, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
    3. Choose the reset option that fits the situation.

    Creating a password reset disk can help in the future, but it only works for local accounts and must be created before the password is forgotten.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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    1 person found this answer helpful.

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