Where to find the password change screen on your computer

The place to change your password depends on whether you use Windows or Mac. On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, then select Accounts, then Sign-in options. Look for the Password section and click "Change." On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), select General, then click Password in the sidebar.

Both operating systems will ask you to enter your current password first before letting you create a new one. This is a security step — it confirms you're the person who owns the account. Have your current password ready before you start, because you won't be able to proceed without it.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change to reach the password screen.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Password to change your login password.
  • You must enter your current password before creating a new one, so have it available.
  • A strong password contains uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you can reset it using a recovery email or phone number you set up beforehand.

Step-by-step process on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click Settings when it appears. Once Settings opens, click the Accounts icon on the left side of the window. From the Accounts menu, select Sign-in options. Scroll down until you see the Password section with a blue "Change" button.

Click Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password. Type it in and click Next. Now you'll see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it by typing it again, and one for a password hint. The hint is optional but useful — it's something only you would understand that might jog your memory if you forget the password later. Type your new password in both the first and second fields to make sure you didn't make a typo, then click Next. Windows will confirm the change was successful.

Step-by-step process on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (on newer Macs) or System Preferences (on older ones). In the sidebar on the left, find and click General. Look for the Password option and click it. Mac will ask you to enter your current password to verify your identity.

Once you've entered your current password, you'll see fields for your new password and a confirmation field. Type your new password in both fields to catch any typos. Unlike Windows, Mac does not offer a password hint field in this screen. After you've entered your new password twice, click the Change Password button. The system will confirm the change when ready.

Creating a password that is actually find

A strong password is harder for someone else to guess or crack. Use at least 12 characters and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols together. For example, "BlueMoon#2024$Tree" is stronger than "password123" because it combines different character types and is longer.

Avoid using your name, birthdate, pet's name, or any word that appears in a dictionary. Do not reuse a password you've used on other accounts — if one website gets hacked, a criminal could try that same password on your computer. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate and store strong passwords for you, so you only have to remember one master password.

What to do if you forget your new password right after changing it

If you change your password and then when ready forget it, you have a recovery path. On Windows, the login screen shows a "Reset password" link. Click it and Windows will ask you security questions or send a code to a recovery email address you set up before. On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q at the login screen to access recovery options, or use your Apple ID to reset your password.

This is why setting up a recovery email and phone number before you change your password is worth the few minutes it takes. Go back to Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac) and look for Recovery options or Security settings. Add an email address and phone number that you actually use and can access. If you ever lock yourself out, you'll be able to prove who you are and regain access.

Changing the password for a Microsoft account versus a local account

Windows lets you sign in with either a Microsoft account (which syncs across devices and uses your Outlook email) or a local account (which exists only on that one computer). If you use a Microsoft account, changing your password through Settings will change it for all your devices and your Microsoft services. If you use a local account, the password change affects only that computer.

To check which type of account you have, go to Settings > Accounts and look at the top of the page. It will say either "Your info" with your Microsoft email, or "Local account" with just a username. If you use a Microsoft account and want to change the password from a different device or online, you can also go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and change it there — the change will sync to your computer within a few minutes.

Why your computer might not let you change your password

If you see an error message when you try to change your password, the most common reason is that you entered your current password incorrectly. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning "Password" and "password" are not the same. Check that Caps Lock is not on and try again. If you're certain your current password is correct but the system still rejects it, restart your computer and try once more.

On a work or school computer, your IT department may have locked down password changes so you have to contact them instead. If you see a message saying you don't have permission to change the password, contact your IT support team. On a personal computer, if you're still stuck, you may need to use a password reset disk (if you created one before) or contact Microsoft or Apple support for help recovering access to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password from the login screen?

No, you must be logged in to your account first. Once you're logged in and at the desktop, then you can go to Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac) to change your password. If you're locked out, you'll need to use a recovery option instead.

Will changing my password log me out of other devices?

On a Microsoft account, changing your password will log you out of other devices for security reasons, and you'll need to sign back in with the new password. On a Mac or local Windows account, only that one computer is affected, so other devices won't be logged out.

How often should I change my password?

There's no magic number. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you've used it on a website that got hacked, or if you haven't changed it in over a year. Changing it too often can lead to weaker passwords because you'll be tempted to make small variations on old ones.

What if I see a prompt to change my password when I log in?

Your password may have expired according to your organization's policy, or your account may have been flagged for security reasons. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new password. If you're on a work computer, contact your IT department to understand why the prompt appeared.

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

You can, but it's not recommended. If someone gains access to one account, they can try the same password on the other. Use different passwords for your computer, email, and other important accounts so a breach in one place doesn't compromise everything.