My account has been locked

Hi @John Gibbons,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A. I understand how frustrating it can be to be locked out of your computer due to a forgotten password. I'm here to help you with the steps to regain access.

The good news is that there are several ways to reset your password and unlock your computer, even after multiple failed attempts. The method you'll use depends on whether your account is a Microsoft account or a local account.

If you use a Microsoft Account:

If you sign in to your computer using your Microsoft account email address, you can reset your password online from any other device (like a phone or another computer).

1. Go to the official Microsoft account recovery page.
2. Enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name you use for your Microsoft account.
3. Follow the instructions to verify your identity. This might involve entering a code sent to a backup email address or phone number you have on file.
4. Once your identity is verified, you will be prompted to create a new password.
5. After you've reset the password, go back to your locked computer and enter the new password to sign in. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet so it can sync with the new password.

If you use a Local Account:

A local account doesn't use an email address for signing in. It's tied specifically to your computer.

Option 1: Use your Password Reset Disk (if you created one previously)

If you created a password reset disk (a USB drive) before you were locked out, you can use it now.

1. Insert the password reset disk into your computer.
2. On the login screen, click the "Reset password" option that appears after you've entered the wrong password.
3. Follow the prompts in the Password Reset Wizard to create a new password.

Option 2: Use another administrator account

If there is another administrator account on your computer, you can ask that user to log in and change your password from the Control Panel.

I hope these steps help you regain access to your computer. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Warm regards,

Chloe L. | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

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