Where to find your Microsoft password
You cannot retrieve a password you have forgotten — Microsoft does not store passwords in a way that lets anyone, including Microsoft staff, see them. What you can do is reset it to something new using the account recovery process on Microsoft's website.
If you remember your password but need to find it because you have saved it somewhere, check your browser's password manager first. In Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, go to Settings, then Passwords or Saved Passwords, search for "microsoft.com", and you will see the email and password you saved there. If you saved it in Windows itself, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Sign-in options" and look for "Password" — but Windows does not display the actual password, only confirm that one exists.
If you use an authenticator app or security key instead of a password, you do not have a Microsoft password to find — you sign in using that method instead.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft passwords cannot be retrieved once forgotten because Microsoft does not store them in readable form.
- You can reset your password by visiting account.microsoft.com/security and following the recovery process, which usually takes a few minutes.
- If you saved your password in your browser, you can view it in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox settings under Passwords or Saved Passwords.
- The recovery process asks you to verify your identity using a phone number, backup email, or authenticator app you set up earlier.
How to reset your password if you have forgotten it
Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account?" on the sign-in page. Enter your email address and complete the CAPTCHA. Microsoft will then ask you to verify your identity using one of the recovery methods you set up when you created the account.
The most common recovery methods are a phone number (Microsoft sends a code by text or call), a backup email address (Microsoft sends a code there), or an authenticator app like Microsoft Authenticator (you approve the sign-in request in the app). If you have access to any of these, you can reset your password immediately. Enter the code or approve the request, then create a new password.
If you do not have access to any recovery method you set up, the process takes longer. Microsoft will ask security questions or request that you upload a photo of your ID. This can take a few hours to a few days for Microsoft to review.
Resetting your password when you are already signed in
If you are signed into your Microsoft account but want to change your password, you do not need to go through recovery. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Security" on the left, then click "Password" and select "Change password".
You will need to enter your current password once to confirm it is really you. Then enter your new password twice. Microsoft will show you whether your new password is strong — it should be at least 8 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
What to do if you cannot access your recovery methods
If you set up a phone number or backup email but no longer have access to either one, you can still recover your account, but it will take longer. On the "Can't access your account?" page, select "I don't have access to these options" and Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity another way.
Microsoft may ask you to answer security questions you created when you set up the account, or to upload a government-issued ID. The ID verification process usually takes a few hours, though it can take longer if Microsoft needs to review your submission manually. Once verified, you can reset your password.
If you have a backup email address you set up but cannot access it, you can still use it for recovery if you have access to the phone number associated with that email. Microsoft will send a code to the backup email, then text a code to your phone to confirm you own both.
Protecting your password after you reset it
Once you have a new password, do not share it with anyone, including Microsoft support staff. Microsoft will never ask for your password in an email or phone call. If someone claiming to be from Microsoft asks for your password, it is a scam.
Save your new password in your browser's password manager so you do not have to remember it. All modern browsers — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari — offer to save passwords when you sign in. This is safer than writing it down or reusing the same password across multiple sites.
Consider setting up an authenticator app or security key as a backup sign-in method. This way, even if someone learns your password, they cannot sign in without the app or key. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Security", then "Advanced security options" to add these methods.
Signing into Microsoft on different devices
Once you have reset your password, you will need to sign in again on any device where you use your Microsoft account. On Windows computers, go to Settings, select "Accounts", then "Sign in with a Microsoft account" and enter your new password.
On phones and tablets, open the Microsoft Authenticator app or the app you use to sign in (like Outlook or OneDrive), sign out, then sign in again with your new password. You may be asked to approve the sign-in in your authenticator app or enter a code sent to your phone.
If you have multiple devices signed in with your Microsoft account, you do not have to change the password on all of them at once. However, the old password will stop working within a few hours, so devices will prompt you to sign in again with the new password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Microsoft tell me what my password is?
No. Microsoft does not store passwords in a form that anyone can read, including Microsoft employees. If you forget your password, you must reset it to a new one using the recovery process on account.microsoft.com.
How long does it take to reset my password?
If you have access to a recovery method like a phone number or backup email, you can reset your password in a few minutes. If you need to verify your identity using security questions or a photo ID, it can take a few hours to a few days for Microsoft to review your request.
What if I forgot my password and the phone number I used for recovery is no longer mine?
Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Can't access your account?", and select "I don't have access to these options." Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using security questions or a government-issued ID. This process takes longer but will let you reset your password.
Do I need to change my password on all my devices after I reset it?
You do not have to change it immediately on all devices, but they will stop working with the old password within a few hours. When you try to use an app or service, you will be asked to sign in again with your new password.
Is it safe to save my password in my browser?
Yes, modern browsers encrypt saved passwords and protect them with your computer's lock screen or fingerprint. This is safer than writing down your password or reusing the same password on multiple sites. Make sure your computer itself is password-protected.