Change Your Password Through Settings

The fastest way to change your password depends on whether you use Windows or Mac. On a Windows computer, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it. Go to Accounts, then Sign-in options on the left side. Under "Password," click Change. You'll be asked to enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click General, then Login Items & Extensions. Look for the lock icon at the bottom left, click it, and enter your current password. Then select your user account and click Password to enter a new one.

The entire process takes about two minutes on either system. Write down your new password somewhere safe before you start, or use a password manager to store it. If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you'll need to use a recovery method, which takes much longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, go to Accounts, select Sign-in options, and click Change under Password.
  • Mac users open System Settings, click General, then Login Items & Extensions, and select Password from their user account.
  • You must enter your current password before creating a new one on both systems.
  • A strong new password should be at least 12 characters and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you forget your new password right after changing it, you'll need to use a recovery email or phone number to regain access.

What Makes a Strong New Password

When you create your new password, avoid using words from a dictionary, your name, your username, or anything that appears on your computer screen. Don't reuse a password you've used before, and don't use the same password across multiple accounts. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @.

Examples of weak passwords: "Password123," "MyDog2024," or "Computer1." Examples of stronger passwords: "Tr0pic@lSunset#42" or "Bl@ckC0ffee&Rain9." If you struggle to remember complex passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager in your browser. These tools generate and store strong passwords so you only need to remember one master password.

Windows: Step-by-Step Instructions

Start by clicking the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner. Type "Settings" and press Enter. Once Settings opens, look for the Accounts option and click it. On the left sidebar, you'll see several options—click Sign-in options. Scroll down until you see the "Password" section with a blue Change button.

Click the Change button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to verify it's really you. Type it in and click Next. Now type your new password in the first box, then type it again in the second box to confirm. Click Next, then Finish. Your password is now changed. The next time you sign in to your computer, use your new password instead of the old one.

Mac: Step-by-Step Instructions

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences if you're using an older version of macOS). In the sidebar on the left, click General. Then click Login Items & Extensions. You'll see a lock icon at the bottom left of the window—click it and enter your current password when prompted.

Once the lock is open, look for your user account name in the list and click it. You should see a Password button appear. Click it, then enter your current password in the first field. Type your new password in the "New password" field and again in the "Verify" field. Click Change Password. The next time you restart your Mac or sign out, you'll use your new password to sign back in.

What to Do If You Forget Your Current Password

If you can't remember your current password, you can't change it through Settings—you'll need to use your recovery method instead. On Windows, click Sign in with a password on the login screen, then click I forgot my password. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier. Follow the prompts to reset your password.

On a Mac, restart your computer and hold down Command + Q when you see the login screen. This opens the login options. Click the question mark icon, then enter your Apple ID email and password. You can then create a new computer password. If you don't remember your Apple ID password either, you'll need to visit iforgot.apple.com to reset that first.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is typing your new password differently the two times you're asked to confirm it. If the passwords don't match exactly—including uppercase and lowercase letters—the system will reject them and ask you to try again. Take your time and type slowly, or copy and paste if your system allows it.

Another mistake is changing your password and then when ready forgetting it. Before you close Settings, write it down or save it in a password manager. If you change your password and then can't remember it five minutes later, you'll have to go through the recovery process, which can take 30 minutes or more. Don't change your password right before an important task—do it when you have time to test that you can sign back in successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password sign me out of other devices?

Not when ready. On Windows, you stay signed in on other devices until you manually sign out or until your session expires. On a Mac, changing your password signs you out of iCloud services on other devices, but you can sign back in with your new password. If you want to force all devices to sign out, you'll need to change your Apple ID password instead of just your computer password.

Can I change my password if I'm using a Microsoft or Apple account?

Yes, but the process is slightly different. If you sign in with a Microsoft account on Windows, changing your password through Settings updates your Microsoft account password everywhere. On a Mac with an Apple ID, changing your computer password is separate from changing your Apple ID password. You can do both, but they're different processes.

How often should I change my password?

There's no single rule. If you use a strong, unique password and no one else knows it, changing it once a year is reasonable. If you suspect someone has seen your password or you use it on multiple devices, change it right away. If your computer was hacked or you received a security warning, change it when ready.

What if the Change button is grayed out?

This usually means you're signed in with a local account that doesn't have a password yet, or your account doesn't have permission to change passwords. On Windows, try signing in with your Microsoft account instead. On a Mac, make sure you've unlocked the lock icon at the bottom of the window before trying to change your password.