How to reset administrator password in windows 10

For a forgotten Windows 10 local administrator account password (not the BIOS/UEFI password), supported options depend on what access is still available.

1. If still signed in or can sign in with that account

Use Settings to change the password:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options (or use this shortcut: Sign-in options).
2. Under Password, select Change and follow the instructions.
   • The current password must be entered to create a new one.
   • If the option I forgot my password appears, select it and follow the directions to verify the account and set a new password by answering the security questions.

2. If locked out of the local account at the sign-in screen

If this is a local account and security questions were set up:

1. At the Windows sign-in screen, select the password entry button next to the password field.
2. Select OK, then Reset password.
3. Answer the security questions configured when the account was created.
4. Enter a new password.

If a password reset disk was created earlier for this local account:

1. At the sign-in screen, after entering an incorrect password, choose Use a password reset disk instead (if shown).
2. Insert the USB password reset disk and follow the wizard to set a new password.

If neither security questions nor a password reset disk are available and no other admin account exists, the supported recovery path is to reset the PC, which will reinstall Windows and can remove apps and possibly data depending on the chosen reset option.

3. If there is another administrator account on the PC

If any other account with local administrator rights is available:

1. Sign in with that administrator account.
2. Open Computer Management.
3. Expand Local Users and Groups → Users.
4. Right‑click the locked-out user and select Set Password….
5. Enter and confirm a new password.

If no administrator account is available to change the password, the documented option is to reset the Windows device.

4. BIOS/UEFI password vs. Windows password

The steps above apply to Windows local account passwords. A BIOS/UEFI password is separate and cannot be reset using Windows password tools. For Surface devices specifically, Microsoft cannot reset UEFI passwords; for other OEM PCs, BIOS/UEFI password reset is handled by the device manufacturer.

References:

• Change or reset your password in Windows
• Create a password reset disk for a local account in Windows