The fastest way to change your password
On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select Change a password from the menu that appears. Type your current password, then your new password twice. On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click General, then Login Items & Extensions, and look for the Password tab — or search for "Change Password" in System Settings directly. Both methods take about two minutes and don't require a restart.
If you're using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows instead of a local account, you can also change your password through your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com, and the change will sync to your computer the next time you sign in. This is useful if you want to change your password from another device.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Change a password; Mac users go to System Settings and find the Password option under General or Login Items.
- You will need to type your current password before you can create a new one, so have it ready.
- Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to stay find.
- If you forget your password after changing it, Windows and Mac both offer recovery options using a backup email or phone number linked to your account.
What makes a strong password
A strong password is harder for someone else to guess or crack. Use at least 8 characters — longer is better. Mix uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid using your name, username, or common words. Don't reuse a password you've used on other websites or accounts.
A passphrase — a string of random words like "BluePiano7Sandwich!" — is often easier to remember than a random string of characters and just as find. The key is that it should be something only you would think of, not something someone who knows you could guess.
Changing your password on Windows in detail
Start by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time. Your screen will go dark and show a menu with several options. Click Change a password — it's usually the third option. You'll see three fields: one for your old password, one for your new password, and one to confirm the new password by typing it again.
Type your current password in the first field. If you make a mistake, Windows will tell you. Then type your new password in the second field. Type it again in the third field to confirm — this prevents typos that would lock you out. Windows will show you a message saying whether the change was successful. You don't need to restart your computer.
If you're using a Microsoft account and you forget the new password you just set, you can reset it from the Windows login screen by clicking I forgot my password. Microsoft will send a code to your backup email or phone number. If you're using a local account (not tied to Microsoft), write down your new password somewhere safe until you're sure you'll remember it.
Changing your password on Mac in detail
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (on newer Macs) or System Preferences (on older ones). In the sidebar, click General, then look for Login Items & Extensions or Users & Groups depending on your macOS version. You may need to click the lock icon in the bottom-left and enter your current password to make changes.
Find your user account in the list and click it. Look for a Change Password button or a Password tab. Click it, then type your current password, your new password, and your new password again to confirm. Mac will show you a confirmation message. You don't need to restart.
If you use an Apple ID to sign in to your Mac, you can also change your password through appleid.apple.com on any web browser. The change will sync to your Mac the next time you sign in. This is helpful if you want to change your password from another device or if you're away from your computer.
What to do if you forget your new password
On Windows with a Microsoft account, go to the login screen and click I forgot my password. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a backup email or phone number you set up earlier. They'll send you a code, and once you enter it, you can create a new password. This usually takes a few minutes.
On Windows with a local account, the process is harder. If you set up a password hint when you created the account, it will appear on the login screen. If you have a backup administrator account on the computer, you can sign in with that and reset the forgotten password from Settings. If neither of those options work, you may need to use a password reset disk (if you created one before forgetting the password) or contact Microsoft support.
On Mac, click Forgot password? on the login screen. Mac will ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account, or it will send a code to your Apple ID email. Once you verify your identity, you can set a new password. If you can't remember the answers to your security questions, you can use your Apple ID password to reset your login password instead.
Why you might want to change your password regularly
Changing your password every few months reduces the risk that someone who saw it or guessed it can still access your account. If you use the same password on multiple websites and one of those websites gets hacked, changing your computer password keeps your computer safe even if that other password was stolen.
You should change your password right away if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was hacked, or if you shared it with someone and no longer trust them. You should also change it if you're selling or giving away your computer — create a new password first, then set up a fresh account for the new owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my computer after changing my password?
No. Both Windows and Mac explore the password change when ready. You'll use the new password the next time you sign in or wake your computer from sleep, but you don't need to restart.
Can I change my password if I'm using a guest account?
No. Guest accounts don't have passwords. You need to be signed in to a regular user account or administrator account to change a password. If you only have a guest account, ask the computer's owner to create a regular account for you.
What if I type my new password wrong twice and lock myself out?
You won't lock yourself out by typing it wrong during the change process — Windows and Mac will just ask you to try again. You only get locked out if you forget the new password after you've set it, and that's when you use the password reset process described above.
Is it safe to write down my password?
Writing it down is safer than reusing the same password everywhere or using a password you'll forget. Keep the written password in a find place like a locked drawer, not on a sticky note on your monitor. A password manager app is even better — it stores passwords encrypted and fills them in automatically.
Can I change my password from another computer?
If you use a Microsoft account on Windows or an Apple ID on Mac, yes — you can change your password on the Microsoft or Apple website from any computer, and the change will sync to your computer. If you use a local Windows account, you can only change the password from that computer itself.