Change Your Password Through Your Operating System Settings

The fastest way to change your password is through your computer's built-in settings, not through a web browser or third-party tool. On Windows, Mac, and Linux, the password you use to log in is stored and managed by your operating system itself. You do not need to contact anyone or use special software—the option is in your settings right now.

The exact steps differ slightly depending on which operating system you use, but the process takes about five minutes on any of them. You will need to know your current password to start the change. If you have forgotten your password entirely, you will need to use your computer's recovery options instead, which is a separate process.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, select Accounts, then choose "Password" to change it through the Change Your Password option.
  • Mac users go to System Settings, select General, then Users & Groups, and use the Password button next to their account name.
  • Linux users open a terminal and type passwd at the command line, then enter their current password followed by the new one twice.
  • Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to stay find.
  • After you change your password, you will use the new one the next time you log in—your old password will no longer work.

Change Your Password on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once Settings opens, select Accounts from the left sidebar. You will see several options listed under your account name—look for Password and click it.

Click the button labeled Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first as a security check. Type it in and click Next. Now you will see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it by typing it again, and an optional password hint. Type your new password in both the first and second fields—they must match exactly, so type carefully. The hint field is optional; if you add one, only you will see it if you forget your password later. Click Next, then Finish. Your password is now changed.

Change Your Password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). In the sidebar, click General, then select Users & Groups. You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window—if so, click it and enter your password to unlock the settings.

Your account name will be highlighted in the list on the left. Click the Password button. Mac will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in and click Change Password. Now enter your new password in the first field and type it again in the second field to confirm. You can add a password hint in the third field if you want. Click Change Password again to save your new password.

Change Your Password on Linux

Open a terminal window. You can usually do this by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting "Open Terminal" or by searching for "Terminal" in your applications menu. Once the terminal is open, type the word passwd and press Enter.

Linux will ask you to enter your current password. Type it in and press Enter—the text will not appear on screen as you type, which is normal. Next, you will be asked to enter your new password. Type it carefully and press Enter. Linux will ask you to type the new password a second time to confirm it. Type it again and press Enter. If both entries match, your password is changed. If they do not match, Linux will tell you and ask you to try again.

Create a Strong New 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, your username, or words that appear in the dictionary. Do not use the same password you use for email, banking, or other important accounts.

A good approach is to think of a phrase you will remember, then use the first letter of each word plus some numbers and symbols. For example, "My dog ate 3 socks!" becomes Mda3s!. Write your new password down on paper and store it somewhere safe if you are worried about forgetting it—do not store it in a text file on your computer or in an email.

What Happens After You Change Your Password

Your old password stops working when ready. The next time you turn on your computer or log out and log back in, you will need to use your new password. If you have other devices that log into the same account (like a work laptop or a shared family computer), you will need to update the password on those devices too, or you will be locked out.

Some programs on your computer may have saved your old password and will no longer be able to log in automatically. You may see error messages asking you to re-enter your password for email, cloud storage, or other services. This is normal and expected. When you see these messages, enter your new password instead of your old one.

What to Do If You Forgot Your Current Password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the steps above because the operating system will ask you to enter it first. Instead, you will need to use your computer's password recovery options. On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if you created one before, or you can answer security questions if you set them up. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password. On Linux, you will need to boot into recovery mode or use a live USB drive.

Password recovery is more complicated than a regular password change and takes longer. If you have forgotten your password, look up the recovery steps specific to your operating system and version, or contact your IT support if this is a work computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my password?

If your password has not been compromised, you do not need to change it on a set schedule. However, if you think someone else knows your password, or if you used the same password on multiple websites and one of those websites was hacked, change it right away. Many workplaces require password changes every 90 days for security reasons.

Can I change my password if I am not the administrator of my computer?

Yes. You can change the password for your own user account without administrator rights. However, if you want to change someone else's password or change settings that affect the whole computer, you will need administrator access. Ask whoever set up the computer if you need help.

What if my new password is not being accepted after I change it?

Make sure you are typing it exactly as you created it—passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are different. If you added a symbol or number, include it. If you are still stuck, restart your computer and try logging in again. If the problem continues, use your password recovery options.

Will changing my password affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, documents, and installed programs will remain exactly as they are. The only thing that changes is the password you use to log in. Some programs may ask you to re-enter your password the next time they start, but your data is safe.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Technically yes, but it defeats the purpose of changing your password. If you are changing your password because you think it may have been compromised, use something completely new. If you are changing it just to update it, pick something different from what you used before.