Windows 10: Microsoft's policy for lost and forgotten passwords

Article applies to: Microsoft Account, Office, Windows, Xbox, Microsoft Family Safety​

Article approved by Community Engagement team​

Introduction​

Microsoft takes security seriously. It is for your protection. ​

This article outlines Microsoft's policy for lost and forgotten passwords and what you need to do if you forget your password. ​

Details​

Please DO NOT ask the community for methods to bypass security methods adopted by Microsoft. The community are not allowed to provide you with instructions, videos, products or links to other sites that tell you how to bypass security methods. This goes for methods bypassing Family Safety settings too. ​

ANYONE who posts such information will have their post edited/removed and could be banned from this community. If someone has posted password cracking techniques or products on this community, please report them so the Abuse Moderators can handle it. ​

IMPORTANT: If yo are using your favourite search engine to search for these techniques yourself. You should go careful. Sites that claim they can crack passwords may not be able to. Software you download to break security methods may do more harm to your computer then good. If this does happen, Microsoft takes no responsibility for your actions or any damages occurred (Even if someone broke the rules and posted such links in this community). ​

What the community can do however, is give you instructions to reset your password.​

What do I do if I loose/forget my password​

Microsoft has articles published on their support website that gives you information on how to reset your password. Links to these articles will be provided in this article for you to use. ​

Forgotten password for my Microsoft Account​

Please use this form for lost/forgotten passwords for your Microsoft Account:​

https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx​

If you have forgotten your security proofs, or no longer have access to them anymore, then you will need to use the link above still. When you get to the security proofs part, you will have to select "I no longer have these anymore" and fill out a form for the Microsoft Account team.​

You do need to provide as much information as possible. They will review the information you have provided and judge whether or not your the account holder. Any actions they take is not anything we can influence here. So please do not take it out on us, or others, when they refuse to provide a password reset link. ​

Forgotten Password for Local Account on Windows 10​

https://support.microsoft.com/help/4028457​

Forgotten Password for Office and Office 365 business​

https://support.office.com/article/eba0b4a2-c0ae-472c-99f6-bc63ee2425a8​

Forgotten Password/Passkey for Xbox One Account​

https://support.xbox.com/my-account/security/manage-xbox-one-passkey​

https://support.xbox.com/my-account/microsoft-account/lost-password-solution​

Forgotten Hardware BIOS Password​

You need to contact your manufacturer for their help and support. The links need to be official links, and not third party. ​

:)

 

Changing forgotten/lost administrator password

Hi,

"What to do if you forget your Windows 8/8.1 password"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-do-forget-windows-password#1TC=windows-8

If you've forgotten your Windows password, there are several ways to retrieve or reset it:

• If your PC is on a domain, your system administrator must reset your password.
  
• If you're using a Microsoft account, you can reset your password online. For more info,
  go to the
  Reset your password webpage.
  
• If you're using a local account, use your password hint as a reminder.
  

If you've tried these suggestions and still can't sign in:

• If you have Windows 8.1, you'll need to reinstall Windows.
  
• If you have Windows RT 8.1, you'll need to contact your PC manufacturer.
  

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Microsoft forbids any assistance being given in these Forums to help you bypass or "crack" lost or forgotten Passwords.

Here is the Microsoft Information outlining that Policy:

Keeping Passwords Secure- Microsoft Policy on Getting Around Passwords

________________________________________

Microsoft policy about lost or forgotten passwords

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/189126#bookmark-third

Cheers.

 

Forgotten password

Hi,

"What to do if you forget your Windows 8/8.1 password"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-do-forget-windows-password#1TC=windows-8

If you've forgotten your Windows password, there are several ways to retrieve or reset it:

• If your PC is on a domain, your system administrator must reset your password.
  
• If you're using a Microsoft account, you can reset your password online. For more info, go to the
  
  Reset your password webpage.
  
• If you're using a local account, use your password hint as a reminder.
  

If you've tried these suggestions and still can't sign in:

• If you have Windows 8.1, you'll need to reinstall Windows.
  
• If you have Windows RT 8.1, you'll need to contact your PC manufacturer.
  

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Microsoft forbids any assistance being given in these Forums to help you bypass or "crack" lost or forgotten Passwords.

Here is the Microsoft Information outlining that Policy:

Keeping Passwords Secure- Microsoft Policy on Getting Around Passwords

________________________________________

Microsoft policy about lost or forgotten passwords

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/189126#bookmark-third

Cheers.

 

Forgotten admin password

"What to do if you forget your Windows 8/8.1 password"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-do-forget-windows-password#1TC=windows-8

If you've forgotten your Windows password, there are several ways to retrieve or reset it:

• If your PC is on a domain, your system administrator must reset your password.
  
• If you're using a Microsoft account, you can reset your password online. For more info, go to the
  
  Reset your password webpage.
  
• If you're using a local account, use your password hint as a reminder.
  

If you've tried these suggestions and still can't sign in:

• If you have Windows 8.1, you'll need to reinstall Windows.
  
  
• If you have Windows RT 8.1, you'll need to contact your PC manufacturer.
  

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Microsoft forbids any assistance being given in these Forums to help you bypass or "crack" lost or forgotten Passwords.

Here is the Microsoft Information outlining that Policy:

Keeping Passwords Secure- Microsoft Policy on Getting Around Passwords

________________________________________

Microsoft policy about lost or forgotten passwords

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/189126#bookmark-third

Cheers.