Password & Account Recovery

How to Recover or Reset a Microsoft 365 Work Account Password on a New Device

Bushra Parveen Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to sign in to a Microsoft 365 work account on a new tablet, but the password is rejected or forgotten despite other devices remaining signed in.

How to Recover or Reset a Microsoft 365 Work Account Password on a New Device

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a Microsoft 365 work account on a new device while lacking the current account password.
Observed behavior: The password is rejected on the new device, and the user is unable to view the saved password from other authenticated devices.

Before you start

Verify whether your Microsoft 365 account is managed by your organization's IT department or if you are the global administrator, as this determines the password recovery process.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset Password via Organization IT or Self-Service

Best for most users whose work accounts are managed by a school or company.

For security reasons, Microsoft 365 does not allow you to view your plain-text password from devices where you are already signed in. You must reset the password to authenticate on a new device.

Use the Forgot Password link

On the new device's sign-in screen, select the 'Forgot my password' link and follow the prompts. This works if your organization has enabled Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR).

Contact your IT administrator

If SSPR is disabled, reach out to your company or school's IT helpdesk or administrator to request a password reset.

Sign in on the new device

Once the password is reset, open the Office app or portal on the new tablet and sign in with the new credentials.

Reset Password via Organization IT or Self-Service

Account Sync: Resetting your password will eventually require you to sign in again with the new password on your previously authenticated devices.

Solution 2

Recover Account as a Global Administrator

For business owners or sole IT admins locked out of their primary admin account.

Solution 3

Reinstall Microsoft 365 Without Conflicts

Ensure no preinstalled trials are causing sign-in or authentication conflicts on the new tablet.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office: A Free and Seamless Alternative

Having trouble managing your Microsoft 365 account or dealing with sign-in lockouts? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that lets you view, edit, and create documents effortlessly without mandatory cloud account logins.

1. Download and install: Get WPS Office from the official website or your tablet's app store.
2. Open your files directly: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files seamlessly.
3. Edit without account restrictions: Start editing and saving your documents locally without worrying about complicated work account passwords.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.No mandatory cloud account required for basic offline editing and saving.Lightweight software that installs quickly on tablets, Macs, and PCs.Familiar user interface ensuring a seamless transition from Microsoft 365.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find my Microsoft 365 password on a device where I am already signed in?

No. For security reasons, Microsoft 365 does not allow users to view or extract plain-text passwords from currently authenticated devices.

Why does my new tablet reject my Microsoft 365 password while my old devices still work?

Your old devices are likely using stored authentication tokens. If your actual password was changed recently by an administrator or has expired, the old devices may stay logged in temporarily, but the new tablet requires the current, correct password to issue a new token.

What should I do if my organization's Self-Service Password Reset is disabled?

You must contact your company's IT department, helpdesk, or global administrator. Only they have the administrative rights to manually reset your work account password if self-service is not allowed.

Login & Account Issues