Change your password through your account settings

The fastest way to change your password is through your operating system's built-in settings. On Windows, you open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" on the left side. On a Mac, you go to System Settings, then Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your current password, and click "Change Password." Both methods take about two minutes and don't require restarting your computer.

You'll need to enter your current password first — this is a security check to make sure someone else hasn't sat down at your computer and tried to change it without permission. Then you type your new password twice to confirm you didn't make a typo. The system will tell you if your new password is too weak (too short, or using only numbers or letters with no mix).

After you change it, you're logged out of most apps and services that use your Microsoft or Apple account. You'll need to sign back in with your new password the next time you open them. This is normal and expected.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings > Accounts > Password and click "Change Password"; Mac users open System Settings > Users & Groups, unlock the panel, and click "Change Password."
  • You must enter your current password before creating a new one, and you'll type the new password twice to confirm it.
  • After changing your password, you'll be signed out of apps and services tied to your Microsoft or Apple account and will need to sign back in.
  • If you forget your password after changing it, you can reset it using a recovery email or phone number you set up beforehand.
  • For work or school computers, your IT department may control password rules, and you may need to change your password through their system instead.

What makes a strong password

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, your username, or words that appear in the dictionary — these are the first things someone trying to break in will guess. Don't reuse a password you've used on other websites or accounts.

A good approach is to use a passphrase: a string of random words strung together, like "BluePiano7Sandwich$Lamp." This is both long and hard to guess. If you use the same password across multiple accounts, changing it on one site doesn't protect your other accounts if that site gets hacked. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate and store unique passwords for each account so you only have to remember one strong master password.

If you're locked out of your account

If you forget your new password right after changing it, Windows and Mac both let you reset it using a recovery method you set up earlier. On Windows, click "Reset Password" on the sign-in screen, then answer your security questions or use your recovery email. On a Mac, restart your computer, hold Command + Q at the login screen to open password reset, then use your recovery email or phone number.

If you didn't set up a recovery email or phone number before you forgot your password, the process is much harder. On Windows, you may need to create a new local account and contact Microsoft support. On a Mac, you'll need to use your Apple ID to reset it, or you may need to restart in Recovery Mode (hold Command + R during startup) and reset from there. This is why setting up recovery options before you need them matters — it takes 30 seconds and saves hours of frustration later.

Changing your password on a work or school computer

If your computer is managed by your workplace or school, you may not be able to change your password through Settings. Instead, your IT department controls password rules and may require you to change it through their own system or portal. Check your company intranet or IT support page for instructions, or ask your IT help desk.

Work and school passwords often have stricter rules than personal ones — they may require 14 characters, a symbol, and a number, or they may force you to change it every 90 days. These rules exist because your work account can access shared files and systems that affect other people. If you can't change your password through Settings, that's a sign you need to contact IT rather than trying to force it through the normal route.

Signing back into apps and services after you change your password

When you change your Windows or Mac password, you stay signed in on that computer — you don't get kicked out when ready. But apps and services that use your Microsoft account (on Windows) or Apple ID (on Mac) will ask you to sign in again the next time you open them. This includes Outlook, OneDrive, iCloud, the App Store, and any other service linked to your account.

You don't need to do anything special. Just enter your new password when prompted. If an app keeps asking you to sign in even after you've entered the correct password, try signing out completely, restarting the app, and signing in again. If that doesn't work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app, though this is rare.

Changing your password on other devices

If you use the same Microsoft account or Apple ID on a phone, tablet, or another computer, you'll need to update your password there too. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password. On an Android phone with a Google account, go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Security > Password, then enter your new password.

You don't have to change these all at once. Your devices will prompt you to update your password the next time you try to use a service that needs it. However, updating them sooner rather than later means you won't be caught off guard by a sign-in prompt when you're in a hurry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my password?

No. Your password change takes effect when ready, and you can keep using your computer without restarting. You'll only be signed out of apps and services that use your account, not the computer itself.

What if I change my password and then when ready forget it?

If you set up a recovery email or phone number beforehand, you can reset it from the sign-in screen. On Windows, click "Reset Password"; on a Mac, hold Command + Q at login. If you didn't set up recovery options, contact Microsoft or Apple support — they can verify your identity and help you regain access.

Can someone else change my password if they have physical access to my computer?

Not without your current password. Windows and Mac both require you to enter your existing password before creating a new one. This prevents someone from sitting down at your unlocked computer and locking you out.

Will changing my password affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, programs, and settings stay exactly where they are. The only thing that changes is the password you use to sign in. Apps and services tied to your account will ask you to sign in again, but your data remains intact.

How often should I change my password?

For personal accounts, change your password if you think it's been compromised, if you've used it on a website that got hacked, or every year or two as a precaution. You don't need to change it every month unless your workplace requires it. Changing it too often can lead to weaker passwords because people reuse variations of old ones.