What do I do If I have forgotten my password to log into Windows? It is a question many have had to ask. What would be even worse is if you forget the password to an admin account. It’s one thing if your account is a limited one, but if you can’t access an administrator account then you can’t install new software. If you find yourself in the position of not being able to log into Windows due to a password that you can’t remember read on and I’ll show you what you can do about it.

In this post I am going to go over why it’s important to set a password to log into Windows, how to set a good password, the pros and cons of using a Microsoft vs. a local account, and how to get back into Windows if you ever forget your password.

Why It’s Important to Set a Login Password on Windows

Requiring a password or some form of authentication to log into Windows does two important things for you:

 

1. Improved privacy.
2. Improved security.

 

Automatically logging into Windows is great for convenience but terrible for security and privacy. Using a password is a way to identify you so that you are the only one logging into your Windows account. It helps to prevent others from accessing the personal information on your computer. Without using a password to log into Windows you are leaving the contents of your user account wide open to everyone that physically accesses your computer.

How to Set a Good Password

It is important that you set a strong password to log into your account on Windows just like you would with any other account. Setting a weak password could lead to others accessing your files.

 

The 10 most common passwords:

1. 123456
2. 123456789
3. qwerty
4. password
5. 12345
6. qwerty123
7. 1q2w3e
8. 12345678
9. 111111
10. 1234567890

 

How to set a strong password:

• Avoid the most common passwords.
• Make it unique.
• It should be at least eight characters.
• It should have a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
• It should have a combination of upper and lower case letters.
• Make it something that would be hard to guess.

 

Using a Microsoft Account vs a Local Account to Log into Windows

When setting up Windows 10 you have a choice to log into Windows using your Microsoft account or using a local account. There are pros and cons for both methods of logging in.

Microsoft Account

Pros:

• Your settings sync across devices.
• If you want to use Cortana you need to be signed in with your Microsoft account.
• Unlocks the full potential of OneDrive.
• A more seamless experience with Microsoft apps.

Cons:

• Less personal privacy.
• Potential security issues including the possibility someone could get on your computer and have free reign across your accounts.
• Being locked out of your Microsoft account also locks you out of Windows.

 

Local Account

Pros:

• More secure.
• Better privacy.
• Not dependent on the internet.
• Your email address wont display on the login screen.

Cons:

• Your settings will not sync across devices.
• You need a Microsoft account to use Cortana.

 

A better solution is a more hybrid approach. Here is how to do it:

1. Create a local account for signing into Windows.
2. Once signed in open Microsoft Store and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Setting it up this way gives you the better security and privacy of signing in with a local account but allows you to still use the Microsoft Store to install the apps that it provides.

How to Reset Your Windows Login Password

Here is what you probably came here for. If you have forgotten your password to log into Windows, here are a couple ways you can reset it and get back into your account. There are a few other methods as well but I’m showing you the ones that I think are easiest to do.

The first step that you should take is to check to make sure Caps Lock and Num Lock aren’t on and that you have no typos. It is easy to accidentally hit the Caps Lock key or enter a typo. We have all been there.

If you log into Windows using your Microsoft account, just use another device to go to Microsoft’s account recovery page and follow the prompts.

Two Easy Ways to Reset Your Local Password

Answer the security questions you made when you set up Windows:

1. Enter an incorrect password.
2. When Windows complains click OK.
3. Now you will have the option to reset your password. Follow the prompts until you have a new password.

 

Log into another user account that has administrative privileges to reset your password:

1. Click Start.
2. Type (without the quotes) “Control Panel“.
3. Click Control Panel.
4. Click User Accounts.
5. Click the option to manage another account.
6. Click on your user account.
7. Click the option to change your password.
8. Enter the information to change your password and click Change.

 

Though passwords help us keep our information more secure, they can also be a pain when we forget them. If you have forgotten yours I hope the information in this post has helped. Let me know down in the comments how it worked out for you or just share any thoughts that you have.