How to recover account password on mac mini with external keyboard

Hi, everyone! After restarting my Mac Mini, I cannot login to my account. The password is connected to my AppleID password--which I've reset twice to no avail--but it still won't accept it. I am now trying to access OS X Recovery after restart, but it's not working. I am using a windows (wireless) keyboard. So not sure if I'm using incorrect key combination for Command+R (windows Control+R) or if the mac mini is simply not recognizing the external keyboard. Any suggestions would be helpful!