How do I find my Windows password? Microsoft tells me it's an incorrect password.

Question

How do I find my Windows password? Microsoft tells me it's an incorrect password.

Marlene Clark 20

Why won't my Microsoft password on Windows? If I need a different password to access Windows 11, how do I find it? Without a password, I can't access my Windows account.

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Answer accepted by question author

GsN5034 - IA 76,465 Independent Advisor

Marlene Clark, thank you for your reply.

It is asking for your current Windows password you use for your local account, not the Microsoft account password.

May I please know how you signed in with your computer earlier?

If not, could you just leave the password field blank and hit the Enter key?

If that didn't work, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options > Password.

See if you can change or Add a new Windows Password.

Once created, try signing in with your Microsoft account.

Let me know if you still need more help.

Marlene Clark 20 Reputation points

2025-07-13T17:35:40.2133333+00:00

Thanks! I rebooted my laptop & created a windows local password. But now, I can't get into my Microsoft account. At least it says,

"Oops, something went wrong. Whatever happened, it was probably our fault. Please try again"

I don't know if it matters that I used the same PW for Windows & Microsoft. I rebooted my laptop & I tried to reset the Microsoft PW, but I can't get a code because I've asked for too many today: I have to wait till tomorrow. Sigh. But thanks!

3 additional answers

Your answer

Marlene Clark 20 Reputation points

2025-07-13T17:35:40.2133333+00:00

Thanks! I rebooted my laptop & created a windows local password. But now, I can't get into my Microsoft account. At least it says,

"Oops, something went wrong. Whatever happened, it was probably our fault. Please try again"

I don't know if it matters that I used the same PW for Windows & Microsoft. I rebooted my laptop & I tried to reset the Microsoft PW, but I can't get a code because I've asked for too many today: I have to wait till tomorrow. Sigh. But thanks!

Answer 1

GsN5034 - IA 76,465 Independent Advisor

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Do you have the option to reset your password from the screen where it says 'Incorrect Password'?
Are you currently stuck at the Windows sign-in screen? Have you set up a fingerprint or Windows Hello PIN for signing in?

If you're using a Microsoft account to sign in to your device, your Windows password will be the same as the account password you use here - https://account.microsoft.com/

If you're having issues, try resetting your password. If you've already signed in, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change.

User's image

Let me know if you still need more help.

Marlene Clark 20 Reputation points

2025-07-13T16:40:01.7366667+00:00

I'm stuck at the sign-in screen. There is no option to reset password. It is a laptop & there is no other option than password.

It says: "Sign into this computer using your Microsoft account.

"Next time you sign into this computer, use your Microsoft account password or Windows Hello, if you've set it up.

"We'll need your current Windows password one last time.

"The password you entered for your device is incorrect. Please try again."
Marlene Clark 20 Reputation points

2025-07-13T16:41:23.4666667+00:00

explanation: I reset my Microsoft password; there is no option to reset the Windows password.
QX qxo 5 Reputation points

2025-08-24T09:03:12.1566667+00:00

the eternal problem with all IT companies. Control and no respect to provacy. now will come the rethoric as usual that we are trying to nprotect you, or to give you better experience and it is for your security. it is a load of balooney. I have been in computing since way before windows that is 35 years at least? I have written many a complaint and request for help here and even directly gto MS, google, meta; and all the others through the years. never got a reply that help. in the last 40 hours, i have done unpteen resets, reinstaltions, reg cleanings, roll backs (very bad guys) and roll backs are windows killers, so ai am stuck with the ssame paradigm. cannot singn from local to remote because of the password. it does not work what you are saying here. blank, or with the admin windows PW, 12345, nothing. the only way it works i am told is to let MS know exactly where you are, who you are, your phone number, your address, no location secrets nothing of the sort and do not use any protection whatsoever, no even windows security. that a friend of mine explained to me... but I am not doing it like that. fruther windows update 24h2 is another spoophing update, whereby MS is actually just tightening more and more the control over windows users. Nowadays, one can download windows just like that and then purchase a licence. basically we are now connected to a MS network, pretty much like when one works at a company with many computers. So. if anyone can solve this problem with signing in to the MS account through the local account and go past the windows pass word affair, I certasinly have never created one, that is unheard of, I tried everything, even no local passwords and clearing registry, and a reset of that PW is obviously impossible. And I am not given my position away to anyone. that is a private matter and keeps my life safer. if you are at it try and find out why all browsers, edge, which i hate, firefox, brave, chrome you name it crash after a forced and automatic windows update to win 11 24h2. that is my whole problem. we pay and pay and then this. hacked windows used to run foreever. greed from MS does this. >In any democratic country it is unconstitutional and ilegal. but then again so many other things are and no one does nothing about. i will wait to see who solves this

Answer 2

EmilyS_726 27,475 Volunteer Moderator

Gotcha. The additional information is very helpful.

You are in the process of turning your local account to your Microsoft account.

You are stuck at the step where it asks for "Windows" password.

This is NOT your Microsoft account password, but your local account's password. The password you currently use to sign into Windows.

If your local account doesn't have a password, or you currently don't need to enter a password to get into Windows, use this instruction to set up one, simply leave that box blank and press enter. It should allow you to continue.

Marlene Clark 20 Reputation points

2025-07-13T17:48:54.2633333+00:00

Thanks for the explanation! I didn't know I had a "local" account. What does that mean? Google AI says I can't use the same password - but I did:(. Maybe that's why I can't sign into my Microsoft account, but I can't request a code because I've used too many today; I have to wait till tomorrow. sigh.
EmilyS_726 27,475 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-07-13T17:51:30.3566667+00:00

A local user means your Window log in is not associated with your Microsoft account/email.

I wish I answered you sooner to prevent you from using the instruction given to you by the other person, because you could have simply left it blank and press enter and it will work just fine.
Marlene Clark 20 Reputation points

2025-07-13T18:25:24.5566667+00:00

oh,boy! Can I delete a local log-in? It's confusing. I don't know if I could have left something blank, but it's too late now. BTW - I tried signing into microsoft - I think, & failed. I'll stop for a while. I'll let you know if I can straighten it out. Thanks!
QX qxo 5 Reputation points

2025-08-24T09:09:06.2533333+00:00

the problerm it seems, is that if we do not ocassionally sign into Microsoft windows starts to deteriorate. updates are not properly done... things will fail. that was my problem. best solution complete new installation after reformating the disk. clean installation, no over writing... this will solve most problems and nvere go into microsoft stay away and if possible never allow automatic downloads for nothing and keep the old maxim, never change a running system.
QX qxo 5 Reputation points

2025-08-24T09:09:22.99+00:00

so no one solved this riddle

Answer 3

EmilyS_726 27,475 Volunteer Moderator

Marlene, can you please share a screenshot of the step you are stuck on, where it was asking for Windows password.

I think the context here is important. Thanks!

Marlene Clark 20 Reputation points

2025-07-13T17:08:21.6566667+00:00

screenshot didn't work - I prob. did something wrong. - I copy/pasted:

" Sign into this computer using your Microsoft account

"Next time you sign into this computer, use your Microsoft account password or Windows Hello, if you've set it up.

"We'll need your current Windows password one last time."
Obviously, I don't know my current Windows password! That's my problem! I need to recover it!

Next Screen:

is the same, with the addition: "The password you entered for your device is incorrect. Please try again. "
Marlene Clark 20 Reputation points

2025-07-13T17:12:03.35+00:00

by the way - this is a new laptop.
QX qxo 5 Reputation points

2025-08-24T09:04:33.7266667+00:00

if the person claims there is no PW and wher it happens why the screenshot. these daqus people have no imagination at all. I saw it straight away w/out screenshots