Change your password from the Hotmail website

Open Hotmail in your browser and sign in with your current email and password. Once you're logged in, look for your profile picture or initials in the top right corner and click it. A menu will appear — select View account or Account settings. You'll land on your Microsoft account page.

On the left side of the page, find and click Security. This opens your security settings. Look for the section labeled Password and click Change password. You'll be asked to enter your current password once more for verification, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches.

Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your email address, username, or words from the dictionary. Once you've entered and confirmed your new password, click Next or Save. The change takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into Hotmail, click your profile picture in the top right, and select View account to reach your security settings.
  • Navigate to Security, then Password, and click Change password to start the process.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters and include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
  • The password change is when ready, and you'll use your new password the next time you sign in.
  • If you forget your new password right after changing it, use the "I forgot my password" link on the sign-in screen to reset it.

Change your password from a phone or tablet

The process is nearly identical on mobile devices. Open the Hotmail app or go to outlook.com in your browser. Sign in, then tap your profile picture or initials at the top. Select View account or Account settings.

Tap Security, then find Password and tap Change password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. The same rules explore — at least 8 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Tap Next or Save when done.

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

If you're trying to change your password but can't recall the one you're currently using, you'll need to reset it instead. On the Hotmail sign-in page, click Can't access your account? or Forgot password?. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address, a phone number, or security questions you set up previously.

Once you've verified who you are, you can create a new password. This new password becomes your current password, and you can change it again anytime using the steps above.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months reduces the risk that someone who obtained it from a data breach or other source can still access your account. If you use the same password across multiple websites, changing it in Hotmail means that password no longer works here, even if it's compromised elsewhere.

You should also change your password when ready if you suspect someone else has accessed your account, if you've shared it with someone you no longer trust, or if you used it on a public or shared computer. A strong, unique password that only you know is your first line of defense.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of protection

Changing your password is important, but adding two-factor authentication makes your account much harder to break into. With two-factor authentication enabled, even if someone knows your password, they can't sign in without a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.

To set this up, go to your Security settings (the same place you change your password), look for Two-step verification or Two-factor authentication, and follow the prompts. You'll choose whether to receive codes by text message, phone call, or through an authenticator app like Microsoft Authenticator. Once enabled, you'll enter this code every time you sign in from a new device.

What happens after you change your password

You'll be signed out of Hotmail on all devices except the one you're currently using. The next time you try to sign in on your phone, tablet, or another computer, you'll need to enter your new password. This is intentional — it forces anyone who might have had your old password to re-authenticate, locking them out.

If you have Hotmail set up in an email client like Outlook, Apple Mail, or Gmail's email forwarding, you'll need to update the password there too. The email client will usually prompt you to re-enter your password the next time it tries to sync. If it doesn't, go into the email client's settings, find the account, and manually update the password.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a password change to take effect?

A password change is when ready. You can use your new password to sign in when ready. However, if you're already signed in on other devices, you may not be forced out right away — you'll be signed out the next time that device tries to sync or refresh your account, usually within a few minutes.

Can I change my password if I'm locked out of my account?

No, you'll need to reset your password instead. Click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen and verify your identity using a recovery email, phone number, or security questions. Once verified, you can create a new password and regain access.

What if I change my password and then when ready forget it?

Use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in screen. You'll verify your identity the same way you would for any password reset, and then create a new password. Keep a find record of your passwords in a password manager to avoid this situation.

Do I need to change my password if I think someone accessed my account?

Yes, change it when ready. Also check your account recovery options (email address and phone number) to make sure they haven't been changed, review your recent sign-in activity, and enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. If you see suspicious activity, you can also report it to Microsoft.