General Troubleshooting

Forgot Your Password? How to Reset It Without Losing Access to Everything

⊞ Windows Mac June 5, 2025🕐 5 min read
🔑 password 🔒 security 👤 accounts 🔧 troubleshooting ⭐ beginner

Getting locked out is stressful — especially when it's your work machine or primary email. There's almost always a way back in. Select your operating system above for the exact steps.

⊞ Windows 10 & 11 — Microsoft account and local account recovery.

Locked Out of Windows Login?

1

Try your Microsoft account first

Most Windows 10/11 setups are linked to a Microsoft account. On another device, go to account.microsoft.com/password/reset, enter your email address, and verify with a code sent to your phone or backup email. Once reset, use the new password on your PC login screen.

2

Forgot your PIN? Use the link on the login screen

On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my PIN" below the PIN field. You'll be asked to verify with your Microsoft account or a code sent to your phone. After verification, you can set a new PIN without losing any files.

3

Local account? Answer security questions

If you use a local Windows account (not linked to Microsoft), enter the wrong password three times. Windows will then show a "Reset password" link and prompt you to answer the security questions you set up when you created the account.

Locked Out of Your Email?

4

Outlook / Microsoft email recovery

Go to account.live.com/password/reset. Select "I forgot my password" and enter your email. Microsoft will send a code to your recovery phone or alternate email. If you've lost access to those too, complete the identity verification form at account.live.com/acsr.

⚠️ Warning: Never use a "password recovery" website from a Google search. These are almost always scams. Always go directly to the official service's website.
💡 Prevent future lockouts: Enable Windows Hello (face or fingerprint recognition) in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. It's faster and you'll never need to remember your PIN again.
macOS — Apple ID and local user account recovery.

Locked Out of Mac Login?

1

Use your Apple ID to reset

After entering the wrong password three times, macOS will show an option to "Reset it using your Apple ID." Click it, sign in with your Apple ID and password (on another device if needed), and follow the prompts to create a new Mac login password. Your files stay intact.

2

Use Recovery Mode if Apple ID isn't available

Restart your Mac. On Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4), hold the power button until you see startup options, then click Options → Continue. On Intel Macs, hold Cmd + R at startup. In Recovery Mode, open Terminal from the Utilities menu and type resetpassword to launch the password reset tool.

3

FileVault recovery key

If FileVault disk encryption is enabled, you'll need your recovery key — a long code you were shown when you enabled FileVault. You may have saved it to a file or stored it with Apple. If you stored it with Apple, visit iforgot.apple.com to retrieve it after verifying your identity.

Forgot Your Apple ID Password?

4

Reset at iforgot.apple.com

Go to iforgot.apple.com on any device. Enter your Apple ID email and follow the prompts. Apple can verify you via a trusted device (another iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed into the same Apple ID), a recovery key, or answers to security questions.

⚠️ Warning: Never search for "Mac password reset" and download third-party tools. Only use Apple's official recovery options or contact Apple Support directly at apple.com/support.
💡 Mac tip: Enable Touch ID in System Settings → Touch ID & Password. You'll rarely need to type your password again, and it keeps your account much more secure.

Works for Most Web Apps Too

For any website or app — Google, Yahoo, banking apps, etc. — the process is universal: click "Forgot password" on the login page, enter your email, and follow the link sent to your inbox. The link expires in 15–30 minutes, so act quickly.

If you're locked out of a business account and self-service options aren't working, contact us and we'll assist with account recovery remotely.

Get Account Help