windows 8 PC

If the PC is signed in with a Microsoft account, use the password recovery flow again from Recover your account and reset the password there:

1. Select Recover your account and enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name used to sign in.
2. Choose where to receive the security code, then select Next.
3. Enter the requested information and select Send code.
4. Enter the code in Verify your identity and select Next.
5. Enter the new password and confirm it.

For Windows 8 specifically, there is also a known issue where cached credentials are not updated after a password change. The documented resolution is to install update rollup 2883201.

If the PC is actually using a local Windows account, the Microsoft account password will not work. In that case, reset the local account password from the Windows sign-in screen:

1. Select the arrow next to the password field.
2. Select OK > Reset password.
3. Answer the security questions configured for that local account.

If none of these options work, Microsoft support cannot retrieve or bypass a lost or forgotten password. The available next steps are the Sign-in helper or Contact Microsoft Support.

References:

• My username and password have stopped working
• Cached credentials are not updated when you change your password in Windows
• Change or reset your Microsoft account password in Windows
• Change or reset your local account password in Windows