How To Change or Reset a Windows 8/8.1 Password:
Windows 8 and 8.1 provide several new ways to access a computer
compared to previous versions of Windows; we now have the option to
connect a Microsoft account, set a PIN and create a picture password.
This can naturally complicate the process of resetting the password; in
this article we take you through the steps to accomplish that.
Reset your Microsoft Account Password
When you set up your Windows 8 account, Windows gave you the option
to link that computer account with your Microsoft (or Hotmail/Live)
account; if you did this, Microsoft has a process to reset your
password:
- https://login.live.com
- Click the “Can’t access your account?” link and follow the steps to reset your password.
Switch to a Local Account
If a Windows account is linked with a Microsoft account (including
Hotmail/Live accounts), you’ll first have to disconnect it before you
can remove the password.
If your Windows account is linked to your Microsoft account, you can
disconnect it by following these steps (note: you’ll need to know the
password for your Microsoft account per the instructions in the previous
section):
- Bring up the Charms menu by pressing the Windows key + [C] simultaneously (touchscreen users: swipe in from the right side)
- Click or touch “Settings”
- Click “Change PC settings”
- Click “Accounts” from the left-hand menu
- Under your account name, click “Disconnect”
- Enter the password for your Microsoft account and follow the steps to disconnect your account
Removing/Resetting a Local Account Password
This step involves using the Command Prompt when logged in under an account with administrative privileges.
- Access the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard
- Type “cmd” — this will bring up the Command Prompt in search results
- Right-click the Command Prompt > Run As Administrator
- Use the following command line to remove the password for any
account (replacing “username” with the name of the user account you wish
to remove the password for):
- Net User username “”
- The password for the account is now removed.
Setting a Standard Password
It’s a good idea to set a new password for an account after removing its password. Follow these steps to add a password:
- Bring up the Charms menu by pressing the Windows key + [C] simultaneously (touchscreen users: swipe in from the right side)
- Click or touch “Settings”
- Click “Change PC settings”
- Click “Accounts” from the left-hand menu
- Click “Sign-in options”
- Under the “Password” section, click “Add” or “Change”
Windows 8 has a feature that lets you set a four digit PIN to quickly
unlock your computer, much like mobile phones. You’ll still have to
enter your full password when you login for the first time however.
- Bring up the Charms menu by pressing the Windows key + [C] simultaneously (touchscreen users: swipe in from the right side)
- Click or touch “Settings”
- Click “Change PC settings”
- Click “Accounts” from the left-hand menu
- Click “Sign-in options”
- Under the “PIN” section, click “Add”
Setting a Picture Password
Another new Windows 8 feature is the ability to set a picture password for your account.
- Bring up the Charms menu by pressing the Windows key + [C] simultaneously (touchscreen users: swipe in from the right side)
- Click or touch “Settings”
- Click “Change PC settings”
- Click “Accounts” from the left-hand menu
- Click “Sign-in options”
- Under the “Picture Password” section, click “Choose Picture”
- After choosing a picture, you’ll be prompted to create a series of three gestures which will become your picture password.
I found picture passwords are only practical with touchscreens; it’s
difficult to accurately duplicate gestures using a traditional mouse and
worse yet, anyone looking at your screen can see the gestures you’re
making.
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