10 Easy Ways to Reset Any Password

Download Article

Easy-to-follow steps to change your password for Facebook, Google, Apple ID, and more

Download Article

• Resetting Google Password
|
• Resetting Apple ID Password
|
• Resetting Windows 8 Password
|
• Resetting Windows 7 Password
|
• Resetting Mac OS X Password
|
• Resetting Facebook Password
|
• Resetting Twitter Password
|
• Resetting LinkedIn Password
|
• Resetting Instagram Password
|
• Resetting Pinterest Password
|
• Expert Q&A

|Show more|Show less

In the event you forget a password for your computer, email, or social media accounts, you can reset your password directly through the system or application you’re using. In most cases, you can reset your password by answering a series of security questions or by requesting an email that contains a password reset link.

Things You Should Know

• Forgetting a password isn't too big of a deal for most platforms, since you can click a link to recover it.
• For many sites, like Google and Apple ID, you can use a different verified account to recover your original account's password.
• If you don't have another account, like for Google or Apple ID, you can also get a phone call, text message, or email with the recovery code.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 10:

Resetting Google Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Navigate to the Google Accounts login page at https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin.
2. 
   2
   Click on “Need Help?” below the sign-in section.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Select “I don’t know my password.”
4. 
   4
   Enter your Gmail address into the field provided and click on “Continue.”
5. 
   5
   Type the characters provided to you on-screen by Google and click “Continue.”
6. 
   6
   Enter the last password you recall using for your Google account.

   • If you don’t remember any previous passwords, click on “I don’t know.”
7. 
   7
   Follow the on-screen prompts to reset your password with Google. Google may require you to answer a series of security questions to verify your identity; such as your phone number, the name of your first pet, your current address, etc.
8. 
   8
   Enter a new password for your Google account. The password you choose will be applicable for all Google products you use with that particular username.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Brandon Phipps

   Technology Specialist

   Brandon Phipps is a Technology Specialist based in Bakersfield, CA. He is the owner of Second Star Technologies and specializes in Managed IT Services for small and mid-sized businesses in Bakersfield, CA. With over 23 years of experience, he offers expert cloud computing, cybersecurity, and network management solutions. Brandon is a committed community member and coach who leads and innovates in tech and sports coaching. His dedication to local businesses and communities is evident in his hands-on, tailored approach to IT solutions.

   

   Brandon Phipps
   Technology Specialist

   Secure your digital life with online password best practices. Choose a long, easy-to-remember passphrase as your password. You should also avoid using the same password for multiple services or websites. Use web browser password managers to create and securely store your passwords.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 10:

Resetting Apple ID Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Navigate to the “My Apple ID” home page at https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/.
2. 
   2
   Click on “Reset your password” on the right side of the Web page.
3. 
   3
   Enter your Apple ID and click on “Next.”
4. 
   4
   Select “Answer security questions” and click on “Next.”
5. 
   5
   Select your birth date and click on “Next.”
6. 
   6
   Answer all security questions displayed on-screen. You may be asked to provide the name of your favorite sport, your favorite teacher, etc.
7. 
   7
   Enter a new password and click on “Reset Password.” Your password will now be changed.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 10:

Resetting Windows 8 Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Go to the Microsoft Live password reset Web page at account.live.com/password/reset.

   • Contact your system administrator to reset your password if your computer resides on a domain.
2. 
   2
   Select “I forgot my password” and click on “Next.”
3. 
   3
   Type the username for your Microsoft account and the characters displayed on-screen.
4. 
   4
   Click on “Next.”
5. 
   5
   Follow the on-screen prompts provided by Microsoft to reset your password.

   • If you still cannot sign in to Windows 8 as a result of having an incorrect password, you will be required to reinstall Windows 8 on your computer.
Advertisement

Method 4

Method 4 of 10:

Resetting Windows 7 Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Insert your password reset disk into the drive of your Windows 7 computer.

   • Contact your system administrator to reset the password if your computer resides on a domain or workgroup.
   • If your Windows 7 computer is not part of a domain or workgroup, and there are no other user accounts, you will be required to reinstall Windows.
2. 
   2
   Click on “Reset password.” The Password Reset Wizard will display on-screen.
3. 
   3
   Click on “Next” and select the drive into which your password reset disk has been inserted.
4. 
   4
   Click on “Next.”
5. 
   5
   Enter a new password into the fields provided, as well as a hint that will help you remember your new password.
6. 
   6
   Click on “Next” and then on “Finish.” Your Windows 7 password will now be reset.
Advertisement

Method 5

Method 5 of 10:

Resetting Mac OS X Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Insert the Mac OS X Install disk into your computer.

   • If your computer is part of a domain, contact your system administrator to reset your password.
2. 
   2
   Restart your computer and hold down the “C” button to launch the Startup Manager.
3. 
   3
   Select a language and click on the right arrow button.
4. 
   4
   Select “Utilities” menu and click "Terminal".
5. 
   5
   Type "resetpassword" in Terminal.

   • If using Mac OS X v10.3, select “Reset Password” from the “Installer” menu.
6. 
   6
   Click on the Mac OS X disk for which you want to reset your password.
7. 
   7
   Select the user account for which you want the password reset.
8. 
   8
   Enter a new password into the fields provided and click on “Save.”
9. 
   9
   Exit the Startup Manager and restart your computer. Your Mac OS X password will now be reset.
Advertisement

Method 6

Method 6 of 10:

Resetting Facebook Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Navigate to the main Facebook login page at https://www.facebook.com.
2. 
   2
   Click on “Forgot Password” located at the top right corner of your Facebook session.
3. 
   3
   Enter the username for your Facebook account and click on “Search.”
4. 
   4
   Follow the on-screen prompts to reset your password. Facebook will send you an email that contains a link that will allow you to reset and change your password.
Advertisement

Method 7

Method 7 of 10:

Resetting Twitter Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Navigate to Twitter’s website at https://twitter.com/.
2. 
   2
   Click on “Forgot password?” below the sign-in section.
3. 
   3
   Enter your email address or Twitter username and click on “Submit.” Twitter will immediately send you an email that contains a link you can use to reset your password.
4. 
   4
   Open the email from Twitter and click on the password reset link.
5. 
   5
   Enter a new Twitter password. Your password will now be reset.

   • If the password reset link fails to reset your password, repeat the steps to receive a new email. Twitter’s password-reset emails are time-sensitive, and will need to be accessed immediately when resetting your password.
Advertisement

Method 8

Method 8 of 10:

Resetting LinkedIn Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Navigate to LinkedIn’s sign-in Web page at https://www.linkedin.com/uas/login.
2. 
   2
   Click on “Forgot password?”
3. 
   3
   Enter the email address you use for LinkedIn and click “Submit Address.” LinkedIn will send you an email that contains a password reset link.
4. 
   4
   Open the LinkedIn email and click on the password reset link provided.
5. 
   5
   Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new LinkedIn password.

   • Reset your password within one day of receiving the password reset email, since the link will expire after that timeframe.
Advertisement

Method 9

Method 9 of 10:

Resetting Instagram Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Navigate to Instagram’s login screen at https://instagram.com/accounts/login/#.
2. 
   2
   Click on “Forgot password?”
3. 
   3
   Enter your Instagram username or email address into the field provided.
4. 
   4
   Type the text displayed on-screen and click on “Reset Password.” Instagram will send you an email that contains a password reset link.
5. 
   5
   Open the Instagram email and click on the password reset link.
6. 
   6
   Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new password. Your Instagram password will now be reset.
Advertisement

Method 10

Method 10 of 10:

Resetting Pinterest Password

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Navigate to Pinterest’s login page at https://www.pinterest.com/login/.
2. 
   2
   Click on “Forgot your password?” below the sign-in section.
3. 
   3
   Enter your email address and click on “Reset Password.” Pinterest will send you an email that contains a password reset link.
4. 
   4
   Open the Pinterest email and click on the password reset link.
5. 
   5
   Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new password. Your Pinterest password will now be reset.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  How can I help my child remember their password?

  

  Luigi Oppido
  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

  

  Luigi Oppido

  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Expert Answer

  For kids, there are two ways to do this. You can have them jot it down in the margins of a book and then they can refer to the book if they ever forget. The only thing with this is that you have to make sure they never take the book out of the home. The other option is to use a service like LastPass, which is just a password manager.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

  Not Helpful 0Helpful 3

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!