The fastest way to change your password depends on your operating system

Windows and Mac both let you change your password directly from your user account settings, and the process takes about two minutes. On Windows, you open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" and follow the prompts. On Mac, you go to System Settings, find Users & Groups (or Users and Groups in older versions), select your account, and click "Change Password". Both systems will ask you to enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches.

If you have forgotten your current password, the process is more involved — you cannot change it without proving you are the account owner. Windows offers recovery options through a Microsoft account or a security key, while Mac requires your Apple ID or a recovery key. These routes take longer because they are designed to prevent someone else from locking you out of your own computer.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Accounts, select Password, and enter your current password before creating a new one.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, find Users & Groups, select your account, and click Change Password with your current password ready.
  • A strong password uses at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you forget your password, you will need to use your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) to regain access.
  • Change your password when ready if you think someone else knows it or if you have used the same password on multiple websites.

Changing your password on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Start by clicking the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner and typing "Settings" into the search box. Open the Settings app, then select "Accounts" from the left menu. You will see several options; click on "Password" under the "Account settings" section.

Click the "Change" button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password — this is the one you use to log in right now. Type it in and click "Next". You will then see two fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields exactly the same way, then click "Next" and "Finish". Your password is now changed, and you will use the new one the next time you log in.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). In the sidebar, look for "General" and then select "Users & Groups" or "Users and Groups". You may need to click the lock icon in the bottom left and enter your password to make changes.

Select your user account from the list on the left, then click the "Change Password" button. Mac will ask for your current password first. Enter it, then type your new password in the "New password" field and again in the "Verify" field below it. Click "Change Password" when both entries match. The change takes effect when ready.

Creating a password that is actually hard to guess

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, "BlueMoon#2024!" is stronger than "password123" because it combines different types of characters and does not use common words or patterns. Avoid using your name, birth date, or anything someone could find on your social media accounts.

Do not reuse passwords across different websites and accounts. If one website gets hacked and your password is stolen, a criminal could use that same password to log into your email, bank account, or other important sites. If you struggle to remember multiple passwords, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores all your passwords securely behind one strong master password.

What to do if you have forgotten your current password

On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen. Windows will walk you through recovery options, which usually involve your Microsoft account or a security key you set up beforehand. If you linked your account to a Microsoft account when you set up your computer, you can reset your password using that account's recovery email or phone number. This process can take several minutes and may require you to answer security questions.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold down Command + Q at the login screen to open the password reset utility. You will be asked to select your account and then verify your identity using your Apple ID or a recovery key. If you do not have either of those, you may need to use Mac Recovery Mode, which requires more technical steps — Apple's support website has detailed instructions for this scenario.

Changing your password after a security concern

If you think someone else knows your password — whether because you told them, they watched you type it, or you used it on a website that was hacked — change it right away. Do this before doing anything else on your computer, because if someone has your password, they can log in as you and change it themselves, locking you out.

After you change your password, check your account activity if your computer is linked to a Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). Look for any sign-in attempts from places you do not recognize. If you see suspicious activity, you may also want to change passwords on other accounts that share the same password, especially email and banking sites.

Why your computer asks you to change your password sometimes

Some workplaces and schools require employees or students to change their password every 30, 60, or 90 days. If you see a notification asking you to change your password, it is usually because your organization's policy requires it, not because something is wrong. Follow the same steps as above — your computer will guide you through the process and may not let you use a password you have used before.

If you are not part of an organization that enforces password changes, you do not need to change your password on a schedule. Change it only when you think someone else knows it, when you use it on a website that gets hacked, or when you have not changed it in several years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same password on my computer and my email account?

You can, but it is not a good idea. If someone guesses or steals your computer password, they will also have access to your email, which is often the key to resetting passwords on other accounts like banking and social media. Use a different strong password for each important account.

What happens if I type my new password wrong the second time?

Your computer will tell you the passwords do not match and ask you to try again. This is a safety feature to catch typos before you lock yourself out. Take your time and type carefully, or use a password manager to generate and store a complex password for you.

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

No. The change takes effect when ready on both Windows and Mac. You will use your new password the next time you log in, but you do not need to restart to make the change active.

Can I change my password if I am not the main account holder?

If you have your own user account on the computer, yes — you can change only your own password. If you are using someone else's account, you cannot change their password without knowing their current one. Ask the account owner to change it themselves using the steps above.

What should I do if I change my password and then forget the new one?

Use the password recovery process for your operating system (Microsoft account for Windows, Apple ID for Mac). This is why it is important to set up recovery options when you first create your account — it makes getting back in much faster if you forget your password later.