forgot password

Hi Mike Sutphin,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I know how stressful it can feel when you can’t get into your device.

There are a few different ways to recover access and the right steps depend on how you normally sign in. Before we go further, could you let me know which type of account you use on your Surface Pro?

• A Microsoft account (like an Outlook, Hotmail, or Live email)?
• A local Windows account (a username without an email attached)?
• A PIN or Windows Hello (face or fingerprint) as your usual sign‑in method?

Once I know this, I can give you the exact steps tailored to your situation.

Looking forward to your response.

If you have additional questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: If you want to receive email notifications about this thread, follow the steps in our documentation to enable email notifications.

If you have forgotten your password and cannot access your account, here are some options you can try:

1. Ask your administrator to reset your password if you are part of an organization.
2. If you have been given the ability to reset your own password, use the Self-Service Password Reset wizard:
   • For a work or school account, visit https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com.
   • For a personal Microsoft account, go to https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx.
3. If you have administrator privileges, you can reset your own password if you have set up an alternative email address and mobile phone number.
4. If you are the only administrator and have forgotten your password, you may need to contact Azure support for assistance.

Make sure to follow the prompts carefully to reset your password successfully.