unable to log in screenlock password

Question

do not know screen lock password. can not log in please help

Answer 1

Hey, happy to help here.

Is your PC using a Microsoft account email to sign in, or a local account with only a username? If you use a Microsoft account, reset your password at https://account.microsoft.com/password/reset

and then restart your PC and sign in with the new password. If you use a local account, Microsoft only supports using previously set security questions to reset it from the sign in screen, or resetting the PC if no recovery option was set. There is no supported way to bypass the password.

Answer 2

If the screen lock password is forgotten and sign-in is not possible, the only supported options are to use the built-in recovery and reset mechanisms provided for the device/account type, or to contact the appropriate administrator or support team. The exact steps depend on whether this is a personal Windows device, a work/school account, or a Remote Desktop/AD environment.

1. If this is a personal Windows 10/11 device

• At the sign-in screen, use the available recovery links:
  • Select I forgot my password if signing in with a Microsoft account, then follow the prompts to reset it online.
  • Select I forgot my PIN if using a PIN, and follow the reset flow.
• If using a local account and the password is forgotten, follow the guidance in Reset your Windows local account password from the sign-in screen.
• For general sign-in problems, use the troubleshooting entry points listed in Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows.

2. If this is a work or school account (Microsoft Entra / Azure AD)

• If self-service password reset is enabled by the organization, use the security info to reset the password:
  • Follow the steps in Reset your password using security information to use a registered phone, email, or app to reset the work or school password.
• If self-service reset is not enabled or recovery options are not available, contact the organization’s IT/helpdesk or global admin and request a password reset.

3. If this is a Remote Desktop / domain (Active Directory) sign-in

• After too many incorrect attempts or an unknown password, the account may be locked or the password may not meet domain policy.
• Contact the Active Directory administrator and ask them to:
  • Reset the password, and
  • Unlock the account if it is locked.

4. If two-step verification or security info is blocking access

• If the password is known but security info is partially lost, sign in to the Advanced security options page and add a new sign-in method, then remove the old one.
• If all security info is lost but the password is known, start sign-in, choose I don't have any of these, and follow the process to replace security info (note: access may be restricted for up to 30 days).
• If both password and all security info are unavailable, complete the account recovery form as described in Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account.

5. If none of the above works

• For work/school/partner scenarios where no admin is available, use the contact paths in Troubleshoot sign-in issues and account access problems to reach the appropriate Microsoft support/data protection team and request assistance with password reset or account access.

If the device is encrypted with BitLocker and prompts for a BitLocker recovery key before the Windows sign-in screen, access cannot be restored without that recovery key; in that case, data recovery is only possible if the key can be found via the documented locations.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows
• User Account Access in Windows
• Troubleshoot sign-in issues and account access problems
• Remote Desktop Web Access troubleshooting
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• Surface Pro 3 blocked - Microsoft Q&A