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HP PCs - How to Change or Reset Password (Windows 8)

This document is for HP computers with Windows 8.
The sign-in password prevents unauthorized access to Windows. If you forget your sign-in password, you are prevented from accessing Windows.
Use this document to help you recover or reset the password you use to sign in to Windows 8. Read the following sections that apply to the method you use to sign in to Windows.

Try this first: Use the HP Guided Solution

OR read the document below.

Microsoft account

Reset your Microsoft account password online. You can reset your password on any device connected to the Internet.
See the Microsoft password reset page (in English) to reset your password.

Local account

Use one of the following options to reset the password for your local account.
If you need help to determine the type of account you set up on the computer, continue to Which type of account did you create?
note:
HP SmartFriend is a support service that can help you recover or reset the password you use to sign in to Windows 8 (only available in the United States and Canada). For more information, see HP SmartFriend.

Recommended: Use a Microsoft connected account to log-in to Windows

Are you using a Microsoft connected account to log in to Windows? Did you use an email address to set up the Windows account?
HP recommends using a ‘connected account’ with Microsoft to log in to Windows. With a Microsoft connected account you log into Windows using your email address and the password can be reset using a different device at any time. You do not need a Microsoft or Hotmail email address to set up a connected account. Any email address will work.
For steps to create a Microsoft connected account in Windows 8 see Managing User Accounts and Logins (Windows 8).
  caution:
If you are using a local user account HP cannot recover or reset your password if it is lost or forgotten.
If you prefer to use a local user account, HP strongly recommends creating a password reset disk to enable you to reset your password in case it is forgotten. If you do not have a password reset disk and you forget your password, you might be directed to perform a full recovery to original factory conditions and will lose any data that was not backed up to an external location.
note:
If you are not using the latest version of Windows 8, some graphics and information in this document may vary. You can get the latest version from the Microsoft Store.