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Has your Windows 10 computer ever given you the cold shoulder? You type your password—slowly, clearly, and perfectly—only for it to shrug and say, “Nope, that’s not it!” If your login screen won’t accept your password, don’t panic. You are very much not alone, and the fixes are often quite simple.
This guide will walk you through what to do when your trusty machine stops letting you in. We’ll keep it fun, practical, and beginner-friendly.
First Things First
Let’s check the basics. Before diving into advanced steps, try these simple checks:
- Is Caps Lock on? Passwords are case-sensitive. Oops.
- Is your keyboard layout correct? If you’re used to QWERTY but got bumped to AZERTY, your password will come out all wrong.
- Try using the on-screen keyboard: Click the little icon on the login page to bring it up and type with your mouse.
If none of those change anything, hang tight. There’s plenty more we can try.
Option 1: Restart Your PC
This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often it works. Sometimes, Windows just needs a nap.
- Hold the power button for about 10 seconds to force shut down.
- Wait for a few seconds, then press the power button again.
- Try logging in after the reboot.
If your password still doesn’t work after a fresh start, move on to the next step.
Option 2: Make Sure You’re Online
Are you using a Microsoft account to log in? If yes, then Windows needs an internet connection to verify your password.
Look in the bottom-right corner of the login screen. Do you see a Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon with a red X?
- If yes, click the icon and connect to a network.
- Then try logging in again using your Microsoft password (not a PIN).
Still no luck? Don’t worry, we’re just getting started!
Option 3: Try Safe Mode
Safe Mode gives Windows a chance to boot up with minimal background programs. This can help if a driver or update is causing login issues.
- On the login screen, hold Shift and click Restart (found in the lower-right menu).
- On the blue screen that appears, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
- Click Restart again.
- When presented with options, press 4 to boot into Safe Mode.
Once you’re in Safe Mode, try logging in. If it works, change your password from there:
- Click Start, search for Settings, then go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Choose Password and update it.
Reboot into regular mode and use the new password. Success? You’re a tech wizard now.
Option 4: Use the Password Reset Disk (If You Made One)
Remember that “Create a password reset disk” option you ignored for years? If you actually created one, now’s the time to use it. Insert the USB drive and click Reset password on the login screen.
Follow the steps and boom—you’re back in.
[h2]Option 5: Reset Your Microsoft Account Password[/h2]
If you’re using a Microsoft account, reset your password on another device:
- Open a browser on your phone or another PC.
- Go to account.live.com/password/reset.
- Follow the prompts to create a new password.
After it’s reset, return to your locked PC and give the new password a shot. If your PC is online, it should accept it right away.
Option 6: Create a New Local User via Safe Mode & Command Prompt
This one’s a bit tricky, but doable even if you’re not a pro.
To use the Command Prompt to create a new user, launch Safe Mode with Command Prompt:
- Same as before: from the login screen, hold Shift and restart.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
- Choose option 6 or press F6 to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
In the black-and-white window that opens, type these commands:
net user NewUser NewPassword /add net localgroup administrators NewUser /add
Replace NewUser with the name you want, and NewPassword with something memorable. Then restart your PC and log in using this brand-new user account.
Once in, you can poke around and fix your original account. Or just start fresh with the new one!
Option 7: Use System Restore
If an update or weird setting broke your password login, a system restore can take your PC back in time without losing your files.
To launch it:
- From the login screen, hold Shift and click Restart.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.
- Follow the steps to pick a restore point before the problem started.
Let the process finish—your PC may take some time rebooting. Try the password again afterward!
Bonus Tip: Use a Password Manager in the Future
Let’s be honest: passwords can be a pain. Consider using a password manager. These save strong passwords and fill them in when needed. Many also sync across devices. Some good ones are:
- Bitwarden
- LastPass
- 1Password
That way, you’ll never forget your login again—or get locked out of your own kingdom.
Last Resort: Reset Your PC
If nothing has worked, it might be time to reset your PC. This will reinstall Windows, but you can choose to keep your files.
- From the login screen, once again, Shift + Restart.
- Choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
- Pick Keep my files (unless you want a clean slate).
Follow the prompts. Windows will reinstall itself and return you to a login screen where you can create a new account.
Wrapping It Up
Getting locked out of your computer is frustrating. But it’s not the end of the world. Most of the time, it’s a simple fix—just a couple of clicks away.
Let’s recap the options really quickly:
- Check Caps Lock and keyboard layout
- Restart your PC
- Connect to the network
- Try Safe Mode
- Reset your Microsoft password
- Create a new local user
- Use System Restore
- Reset the PC (as a last resort)
Hopefully, by now, your PC is back to life. Safe, sound, and ready to rock. Happy computing!