Resolve Account Password Issues in Windows 8 and 8.1

This article discusses the types of login accounts in Microsoft Windows 8 and how to attempt to reset them if they are forgotten or lost.

Click below to change the operating system:

• How to Reset a Microsoft Account Password for Windows 10 or Recover a Local Account Password
• Resolving Password Issues in Windows 7

Table of Contents:

1. What Are the Different Account Types for Windows 8?
2. Reset Your Microsoft Account Password
3. Use a Password Reset Disk to Reset a Local Computer Account
4. If You do not Have a Password Reset Disk for a Local Computer Account

1: What Are the Different Account Types for Windows 8?

Microsoft created two different types of accounts that can be used to log in to a Windows 8 or 8.1 device.

A Microsoft Account is a "connected account" that is not tied to the device itself, and a Microsoft Account can be used on any number of devices. Windows Store apps, settings, and data can be accessed from any device you sign in to via cloud storage. To purchase apps from the Windows Store, you must have a Microsoft Account.

If you lose or forget your Microsoft Account password, you can recover it from any other device with access to the Internet.

A local computer account is an account that is created for a particular device. Information that is created or stored in that account is tied to that computer and cannot be accessed from other devices.

If you lose or forget your local computer account password, you will need a Password Reset Disk to regain access to the account, or another administrator account on the computer can reset the password. If you do not have a Password Reset Disk or another administrator account, you must Reinstall Windows, which will destroy any data you have on the computer.

Dell recommends that customers create Microsoft Accounts for their devices to avoid reinstalling the operating system if the password is lost.

Back to Top

2: Reset Your Microsoft Account Password

To reset your Microsoft Account, visit the Microsoft Reset Your Password site with any device that is connected to the Internet. You may need to supply some security information to verify that you are the owner of the Microsoft Account, and you may also need access to the text-enabled phone number used to create the account.

Back to Top

3: Use a Password Reset Disk to Reset a Local Computer Account

If you are using a local computer account and have a Password Reset Disk (USB Key), follow these steps:

1. At the Windows log in screen, click Reset password.
2. Insert the Reset USB key.
3. Follow the instructions on-screen to create a password.
4. Log in to the account using your new password.

Back to Top

4: If You Do Not Have a Password Reset Disk for a Local Computer Account

If you have lost or forgotten your local account password, and a Password Reset Disk is not available, reinstalling the operating system is the only solution that is supported by Dell.

To restore Windows to its original factory settings using Dell Backup and Recovery, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, "Restoring Your Operating System on a Dell Computer in Windows 8."

To manually reinstall Windows 8, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, "Windows 8 Upgrade and Installation Instructions".

If you wish to seek alternative support for lost passwords, search using your favorite search engine below:

Search Dell | Search Microsoft | Search Google | Search Bing

Back to Top

Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• Restoring your operating system on a Dell computer in Windows 8
• What to Do If You Forget Your Windows Password
• Create a password reset disk in Windows
• How to Reset a Microsoft Account Password for Windows 10 or Recover a Local Account Password