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Summary
Having trouble accessing your Windows 10 account due to a forgotten password and security questions? Don't worry, with these 5 alternative methods, you can regain access to your computer in no time.



Have you ever forgotten your Windows 10 password? Or struggled to remember the answers to your security questions? It’s a common issue faced by many users and can be frustrating when you need to access your computer urgently. However, there is no need to panic. There are various methods you can use to reset your password and regain access to your computer. In this chapter, we will discuss the first method – resetting your Microsoft account password online if the security questions fail. So, if you’re currently stuck at the login screen, keep reading to find out how to get back into your account.
forgot windows 10 password and security questions

Method 1: Resetting Microsoft Account Password Online

If you’ve forgotten your Windows 10 password and are unable to answer the security questions, don’t panic. There is still a way for you to reset your password and regain access to your computer. This method involves resetting your Microsoft account password online. Here’s how to do it:
Tips:To utilize this method, it is necessary to link your Windows Local account to a Microsoft Account in advance.
Step 1: Go to the Microsoft Account Password Reset Page
The first step is to go to the Microsoft Account Password Reset page. You can do this by accessing it through a web browser on any device, as long as you have an internet connection.
Address : https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx
Enter password window Forgot password link
Step 2: Enter Your Email Address or Phone Number
On the password reset page, you’ll be asked to enter the email or phone number associated with your Microsoft account. This is the same email or phone number you use to login to your Windows 10 computer.
Step 3: Verify Your Identity
Next, you’ll be prompted to verify your identity. This may involve receiving a code to your email or phone number, or answering security questions. If you’ve forgotten your security questions, click on the option that says “I don’t have any of these” and proceed.
Step 4: Choose a New Password
Once you’ve successfully verified your identity, you’ll be able to reset your password. Make sure to choose a strong and unique password that you can easily remember.
Step 5: Log in to Your Windows 10 Computer
After resetting your password, you can now log in to your Windows 10 computer using your new password. Make sure to also update your password on any other devices or applications that use your Microsoft account.
Additional Tips:
- Make sure to keep your Microsoft account password safe and regularly update it to avoid any future login issues.
- It’s important to also remember your security questions or keep them in a safe place in case you need to reset your password in the future.
- If you’re still unable to reset your password, you can contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

Method 2: Bypassing Forgotten Password with Alternative Sign-in Options

if you have forgotten your Windows 10 password and security questions, don’t panic! You can use alternative sign-in options such as a PIN or fingerprint to bypass the forgotten password and regain access to your computer. These options provide a convenient and secure way of signing into your computer and can be set up beforehand for ease of use.
Use login password instead of PIN in login options

Method 3: Using Renee PassNow

Forgetting your Windows 10 password can be a frustrating and stressful experience. It can also prevent you from accessing important files and documents on your computer. In such a situation, third-party password recovery tools like Renee PassNow can be a lifesaver. These tools are specifically designed to help you reset your password without any hassle, saving you time and effort.
How Renee PassNow Works
Renee PassNow is a powerful and reliable password recovery tool that works by creating a bootable reset disk. This disk can be created on any working computer and then used to reset the password on your Windows 10 computer. The tool also offers a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy for users of all technical levels to use.
The Step-By-Step Guide for Using Renee PassNow
To use Renee PassNow, follow these simple steps: 
Tips:If your account is Microsoft Account, Renee PassNow will convert this account to Local account. After resetting login password, you need to connect your account to your Microsoft Account again.
To reset your Windows password using Renee PassNow, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow
Start by downloading Renee PassNow from the official website and install it on a different computer that you can access. You can choose the appropriate version based on your computer’s operating system.
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Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or CD/DVD
Launch Renee PassNow and insert a USB flash drive or blank CD/DVD into the computer. Select the option to create a bootable media. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Create New Windows 10 Password Reset Disk with Renee PassNow
Step 3: Boot the Locked Server from the Bootable Media
Insert the bootable USB or CD/DVD into the locked Windows computer. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Delete). Configure the boot order to prioritize the bootable media.
Common Server:
Server TypeEnter boot menu method
DELLPress the F12 key repeatedly before the Dell logo appears on the screen.
HPPress the F9 key multiple times when the HP logo is displayed.
Common Computers:
BIOS NameEnter boot menu method
ASRockDEL or F2
ASUSDEL or F2 for PCs/ DEL or F2 for Motherboards
AcerDEL or F2
DellF12 or F2
ECSDEL
Gigabyte / AorusDEL or F2
Lenovo (Consumer Laptops)F2 or Fn + F2
Lenovo (Desktops)F1
Lenovo (ThinkPads)Enter then F1
MSIDEL
Microsoft Surface TabletsPress and hold Power and Volume Up buttons
Origin PCF2
SamsungF2
ToshibaF2
ZotacDEL
HPEsc/ F9 for `Boot Menu`/ Esc/ F10/ Storage tab/ Boot Order/ Legacy Boot Sources
INTELF10
Boot the target PC with the created password reset USB/CD/DVD.
Step 4: Select password reset function
After successfully booting from the bootable media, Renee PassNow will load. Select “PassNow!” function after booting from the new created Windows password reset disk.
After loading into main interface, please select the “PassNow!” function.
Step 5: Resetting the Password
Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password. Then, click on the “Clear Password” button. Renee PassNow will remove or reset the password for the selected user account.
Select target Windows system in the list
Select target user account in the list
Step 6: Reboot the PC
Once the password is reset, remove the bootable media from the PC and restart the computer. You will now be able to log in to Windows Account without a password.
Additional Features of Renee PassNow
Apart from resetting your Windows 10 password, Renee PassNow also offers other useful features. These include data backup and recovery, disk management, and system rescue. This makes it a comprehensive and versatile tool that can help you in various situations, not just when you have forgotten your Windows 10 password.
Pros:
  • User-friendly and efficient way to reset Windows 10 password
  • Powerful and reliable password recovery tool
  • Simple and intuitive user interface
  • Offers additional features like data backup and recovery, disk management, and system rescue

Cons:

  • None

Method 4: Creating a New Local Account in Windows 10

When you forget your Windows 10 password and security questions fail to provide a solution, creating a new local account using Windows 10 installation media can help you regain access to your computer while preserving your data and files.
Step 1: Prepare Windows 10 Installation Media: To begin, you need to create a bootable Windows 10 installation USB drive or DVD. This will allow you to boot into the Windows 10 setup environment. You can download the Windows 10 ISO file from the official Microsoft website and use a tool like Rufus to create the bootable USB drive. Alternatively, you can use a physical Windows 10 installation DVD.
If you do not have a Windows Installation media, you may download Windows Installation Creation Tools here:
Windows VersionDownload LinkRequirement
Windows 7https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/products/windows-7PC with a working Internet connection/ a blank USB flash drive or DVD with at least 8 GB of available storage space/ a product key
Windows 8/8.1https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows8Same to above
Windows 10https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10Same to above
Windows 11https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11Same to above
Step 2: Boot from the Windows 10 Installation Media: Insert the bootable USB drive or DVD into your computer and restart it. Access the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key (usually DEL, F12 or Esc) during startup. Select the option to boot from the installation media, which will load the Windows 10 setup.
Step 3: Start the Windows 10 Setup: On the Windows 10 setup screen, choose your language, time, and keyboard preferences. Click on the “Next” button to proceed.
Step 4: Access the Command Prompt: Click on the “Repair your computer” link at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to the Advanced Startup Options. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt” to open the Command Prompt window.
Step 5: Create a New Local Account: In the Command Prompt, enter the following command to create a new local account:

net user newusername newpassword /add

Replace “newusername” with the desired username for the new account and “newpassword” with a strong password of your choice. Press Enter to execute the command.
Step 6: Assign Administrator Privileges: Next, assign administrator privileges to the newly created account. In the Command Prompt, type the following command:

net localgroup administrators newusername /add

Replace “newusername” with the username of the new account. Press Enter to execute the command.
Step 7: Restart and Log in with the New Account: Type the command

exit

in the Command Prompt to close it. Restart your computer and boot into Windows 10 normally. On the login screen, select your newly created account and enter the password you set during the account creation process.
Step 8: Transfer Your Data: Once you have successfully logged in with the new account, you can transfer your data from the old account to the new account. Open File Explorer, navigate to the C:\Users\ folder, and find the folder with the name of your old account. Copy all the files and folders from this folder. Then navigate to the C:\Users\ folder again and go to the folder with the name of your new account. Paste the copied files and folders into the corresponding folders in the new account’s directory.
Step 9: Additional Steps for Windows 7: For Windows 7 users who also want to transfer their files and settings to the new account, they can use the Windows Easy Transfer feature. This allows you to back up user account files and settings and restore them to the new computer. Access Windows Easy Transfer by clicking on the Start menu, typing “transfer” in the search box, and opening Windows Easy Transfer from the Programs list. Follow the on-screen instructions to transfer your files and settings.
Alternative Transfer Method: If the copy and paste method doesn’t work due to permission issues, you can try using the Control Panel method. Enter the Control Panel in the search box, select System, click on Advanced System Settings, choose Settings under User Profiles, select the profile you want to copy, and then click Copy To. Specify the destination folder and complete the transfer.
Conclusion: By creating a new local account using Windows 10 installation media, you can bypass a forgotten password and regain access to your computer. Make sure to transfer your data from the old account to the new account to ensure all your files and settings are available. This method provides a practical solution for recovering access to your Windows 10 system when the security questions fail to provide assistance. Additionally, Windows 7 users can utilize the Windows Easy Transfer feature or the Control Panel method to further transfer their files and settings to the new account.

Method 5: Contacting Microsoft Support for Assistance

After trying various methods to recover your forgotten Windows 10 password and security questions, you may still find yourself locked out of your computer. This can be a frustrating and stressful situation, especially if you have important work or personal files stored on your computer. Fortunately, there is still one more method you can try to regain access to your account – contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.
Reaching Out to Microsoft Support
If all other options have failed, reaching out to Microsoft support should be your next step. This can be done by visiting the Microsoft Support website and selecting “I forgot my password” on the sign-in page. From there, you will be prompted to enter your email address or phone number associated with your account. Microsoft will then send you a verification code to confirm your identity, and once entered, you will be given the option to reset your password.
Resetting Your Password with Microsoft Support
Once you have verified your identity, Microsoft support will guide you through the process of resetting your password. This may include answering security questions, providing a secondary email, or receiving a code via text message. It is important to make sure all information is correct and up-to-date in order to successfully reset your password. Once your new password is created, you can use it to log in to your Windows 10 account and regain access to your computer.
Contacting Microsoft Support by Phone
If you are unable to reset your password through the website, you can also contact Microsoft support by phone. This may be a more efficient option, as you will be able to speak directly with a representative who can guide you through the process and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter. The Microsoft support phone number can be found on their website, and is typically available 24/7 for any password-related inquiries.
Experiencing Additional Issues
In some cases, you may still encounter issues even after resetting your password with the help of Microsoft support. If this happens, it is best to consult with a technician who can diagnose and resolve any underlying issues with your account. You may also consider setting up a password reset disk or using a password management tool to prevent future password related issues.
In conclusion, while forgetting your Windows 10 password and security questions can be a frustrating situation, there is still hope for regaining access to your account. By contacting Microsoft support and following their instructions, you can successfully reset your password and get back to using your computer with minimal hassle and stress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, forgetting your Windows 10 password and not being able to answer security questions can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are several alternative methods you can use to recover your password and regain access to your computer. These methods include resetting your Microsoft account password online, using alternative sign-in options like a PIN or fingerprint, and trying third-party password recovery tools. Additionally, you can create a new local account and transfer your data, or seek assistance from Microsoft support. It’s important to keep in mind that these methods may not work for all users and it’s always a good idea to regularly update your password and have a backup plan in case you forget it again. With these alternative methods, you can avoid the headache and stress of being locked out of your own computer.