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Locked Out of Your Windows Account

Intermediate Security & Windows Defender Applies to: Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11

Wrong password too many times, or a forgotten PIN/password entirely.

Before you start: save any open work and note down what you were doing when the problem started — that context helps if you need to search further or ask for help.
  1. If you use a Microsoft account, reset the password at account.live.com/password/reset from any other device or browser.
  2. If it's a local account with a forgotten password, use the password reset disk if you created one when setting up the PC.
  3. Without a reset disk or another admin account, you'll typically need to boot from Windows installation media to run recovery tools.
  4. If a PIN specifically stopped working, try "I forgot my PIN" on the sign-in screen — this usually just requires your Microsoft account password instead.
  5. Going forward, set up a second administrator account as a backup, which prevents a full lockout if one account has trouble.
Still not fixed? Send us the details and we'll help you dig further, or browse related guides in Security & Windows Defender.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many failed attempts does it take to get locked out?
This varies by configuration — on a personal PC it's often not enforced at all, while on a work or school-managed device, IT policy typically sets a specific limit, often somewhere around 5-10 attempts.
Will I lose my files if I have to reset my password?
No — resetting your password doesn't affect your files, apps, or settings. It only changes how you sign in.

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