Change your Outlook password from the account settings page

To change your Outlook password, sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, select Security from the left menu, then choose Password. You'll enter your current password once, then type your new password twice. Microsoft will send a confirmation code to your recovery email or phone — enter that code to finish. The change takes effect when ready across all devices where you use Outlook.

If you're signed into Outlook on your computer or phone, you don't need to sign out and back in. The app will ask for your new password the next time you open it, usually within a few minutes. On web-based Outlook (outlook.com or outlook.office.com), you may need to refresh the page or sign out and back in to see the change take effect.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, then Password to change your Outlook password from any device with internet access.
  • You must enter your current password and receive a confirmation code sent to your recovery email or phone number before the change is complete.
  • A new password takes effect when ready, but apps and devices may ask for it again the next time you open them.
  • If you've forgotten your current password, use the "I forgot my password" link on the sign-in page instead of the Security settings.
  • A strong password contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and should not include your name or common words.

What makes a password strong enough to protect your account

A strong Outlook password is at least 8 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % ^ &. Avoid using your name, your email address, or words you can find in a dictionary. Avoid sequences like 123 or abc, and don't reuse a password you've used for another account.

The reason this matters: if someone gains access to one of your accounts through a data breach at another company, they often try the same password on your email. Your email is the master key to your other accounts — if someone gets into your Outlook, they can reset passwords on your bank, social media, and shopping accounts. A unique, complex password makes that chain much harder to break.

How to change your password on a phone or tablet

On a phone or tablet, open a web browser (not the Outlook app) and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in, select Security, then Password. Follow the same steps as on a computer: enter your current password, type your new password twice, and confirm with the code sent to your recovery email or phone.

After you change your password on the web, the Outlook app on your phone or tablet will ask for your new password the next time you open it. On some devices this happens within minutes; on others it may take a few hours. If the app keeps asking for your password or says it's incorrect, try signing out of the app completely, then signing back in with your new password.

What to do if you can't remember your current password

If you've forgotten your Outlook password, don't try to change it through the Security settings — you'll need your current password to do that. Instead, go to the Outlook sign-in page (outlook.com or outlook.office.com) and select Can't access your account? or Forgot my password. Enter your email address, and Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email or phone number.

Enter that code on the next screen, then you can create a new password. This process is the same whether you use Outlook.com, Outlook.office.com, or a work account through your employer. If you don't have access to your recovery email or phone number, you may need to verify your identity another way — Microsoft will walk you through the options available for your account.

Why you might need to change your password

Change your Outlook password if you think someone else knows it, if you've used it on another account that had a data breach, or if you haven't changed it in over a year. You should also change it if you've shared your password with someone and no longer want them to have access, or if you used a weak password when you first created your account.

If you suspect someone has already accessed your account without permission, changing your password alone may not be enough. Check your account recovery options (the email address and phone number linked to your account) to make sure they haven't been changed. Review your recent sign-in activity in the Security section to see where your account has been accessed from. If you see unfamiliar locations or devices, you may need to sign out of all sessions and change your password before signing back in.

How to sign out of Outlook on all your devices at once

If you change your password because you think someone else has access, you can force them out by signing out of all devices at once. Go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, then scroll down to Your devices or Recent activity. Look for a button that says Sign out all sessions or Sign out everywhere. This will end your Outlook session on every phone, tablet, and computer — including your own.

After you sign out everywhere, you'll need to sign back in on each device you use. This is inconvenient but effective: anyone who had your old password will be locked out when ready. When you sign back in on your own devices, use your new password. If you use Outlook for work, your employer may have additional security steps you need to follow — check with your IT department if you're unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a password change to work on all my devices?

The change is when ready on the web version of Outlook. On the Outlook app for phone or computer, you'll usually be asked for your new password within a few minutes, but it can take up to a few hours on some devices. If an app doesn't prompt you after an hour, try signing out and signing back in manually.

Can I change my Outlook password without a recovery email or phone number?

You can change your password through the Security settings if you know your current password — you don't need a recovery email for that. But if you've forgotten your password, you'll need either a recovery email or phone number to reset it. If you don't have either, contact Microsoft support with proof of identity.

What if I change my password and Outlook stops working on my computer?

The Outlook app will ask for your new password the next time you open it. If it keeps saying your password is wrong, try signing out completely (not just closing the app), then signing back in. On Windows, you may also need to update your saved password in Credential Manager — search for "Credential Manager" in Windows settings and update the Outlook entry there.

Do I need to change my password if I use Outlook through my work email?

Your work account may have different password rules than a personal Outlook account. Check with your IT department before changing it — they may require a certain length, complexity, or change frequency. Some work accounts don't let you change the password through Microsoft's website at all; you may need to use your company's internal system instead.