Applies to Windows 8, Windows RT

Passwords in Windows 8: FAQ

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I don't have my password. What do I do?

If you forget or lose your password, there are several things you can try to reset or recover it. For more info, see What to do if you forget your Windows password.

If you think your password has been compromised or stolen by someone with malicious intent, we can help. For more info, see Get back into your Microsoft account if it's been blocked or hacked.

Can I sign in to Windows without a password?

If you're signing in to only your local PC, yes. However, we recommend that you keep your PC more secure by using a strong password. When you use a password, only someone who knows it can sign in. If you want to sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account, a password is required.

How do I create a strong password?

Stronger passwords contain a variety of characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numerals, and symbols or spaces. A strong password should also be something that is difficult for a stranger to guess or crack. It shouldn't contain a complete word, or easy-to-find details like your real name, your user name, or your birth date. For more info, see Tips to create strong passwords and passphrases.

If you're signing in to a Microsoft account, your password is limited to 16 characters.

How do I change my password?

You can update your password regularly to keep it more secure—or change passwords for other people who use your PC, if you have an administrator account. The steps are different, depending on whether your PC is connected to a domain. For detailed steps, see Change your password.

Does my Microsoft account password affect the password on my email account?

No. You can use any email address for your Microsoft account, even an email address from a third-party web-based mail service like Google Mail or Yahoo! Mail. But when you choose a password for your Microsoft account, it doesn't change the password you might need to use to sign in to web mail on a third-party site. (If you want to, you can use the same password for both. However, using a variety of passwords for different purposes helps keep your info more secure.)

How do I sign in with a picture password?

Create a picture password to sign in with gestures instead of by entering characters.

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click Users. Under Sign-in options, tap or click Create a picture password and then follow the on-screen instructions.

How can I remember my password?

When you choose a password for your user account, it's important to pick something you can remember. You're going to need it again later! To help you remember your password, you can add a password hint, as long as your PC isn't on a domain. For detailed steps, see Create or change a password hint.

Of course, you can also write your password down and keep it in a safe place. Taped to the underside of your laptop or the inside of your desk drawer is probably not a good idea, however. If you do write your password down, be sure to keep it separate from your PC.

For added security, consider using different passwords for different purposes. For example, you might want to keep one password for all your social networking accounts, and another one to sign in to your online bank account or other financial services.

If you do forget or lose your password, there are still several things you can try to reset or recover it. For more info, see What to do if you forget your Windows password.