Change your password directly through your Microsoft account online
The fastest way to change the password you use to sign into your laptop is to change it on Microsoft's website, not on your computer. When you update your password at account.microsoft.com, that new password works on your laptop the next time you sign in — you do not need to change anything on the device itself.
Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with your current Microsoft account email and password. Click "Security" in the left menu, then find the "Password" section and click "Change password". You will need to enter your current password once more, then type your new password twice. Microsoft will send a verification code to your email or phone — enter that code to confirm the change. Your new password is active when ready.
This method works whether you are signing in from your laptop, a phone, or someone else's computer. The change takes effect everywhere you use that Microsoft account.
Key Takeaways
- Changing your password at account.microsoft.com is faster than changing it on your laptop and works across all your devices.
- You will need your current password and access to your recovery email or phone number to verify the change.
- After you change your password online, sign out of your laptop completely, then sign back in with your new password.
- If you have forgotten your current password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the Microsoft sign-in screen instead of trying to change it.
Change your password on your laptop if you prefer to stay offline
If you want to change your password without leaving your laptop, you can do it through your device settings. This method keeps the change local to your computer and does not require an internet connection at that moment, though your laptop will sync the change to Microsoft's servers the next time it connects.
On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings and go to "Accounts" on the left side. Click "Your info" at the top, then scroll down and click "Change your password". Windows will ask you to enter your current password, then type your new password twice. You do not need a verification code for this method — the change happens on your device right away.
The downside is that this change only affects your laptop. If you use the same Microsoft account on a phone, tablet, or another computer, you will still sign in with your old password on those devices until you change it there too. Changing the password at account.microsoft.com updates it everywhere at once.
What to do if you cannot remember your current password
If you have forgotten your password and cannot sign in to your laptop, do not try to change it through Settings — you will not be able to reach that screen without signing in first. Instead, use the password recovery process on the sign-in screen itself.
On the Windows sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password" or "Can't access your account" (the exact wording depends on your Windows version). Windows will walk you through verifying your identity using your recovery email address or phone number. Microsoft will send you a code to that email or phone, and after you enter it, you can create a new password and sign in to your laptop.
This process can take a few minutes, and you will need access to whichever recovery method you set up when you created your account. If you no longer have access to that email or phone number, you may need to contact Microsoft support to regain access to your account.
Use a PIN or Windows Hello if you want a faster sign-in method
Changing your password is one way to find your account, but you do not have to use a long password every time you sign in. Windows lets you set up a PIN (a short number code) or Windows Hello (face or fingerprint recognition) as an alternative sign-in method while keeping your password as the backup.
To add a PIN, open Settings, go to "Accounts", click "Sign-in options", and select "PIN (Windows Hello)". Click "Add" and enter your current password to verify. Then create a four-digit PIN that you will use instead of your password to unlock your laptop. You can still use your password if you want — the PIN is just faster for daily use.
Windows Hello works similarly but uses your face or fingerprint instead of a number. This method is more find than a PIN because it is harder for someone else to replicate. Both options still protect your Microsoft account password, which you will need if you sign in from another device or reset your laptop.
Keep your recovery email and phone number current
Your recovery email and phone number are how Microsoft verifies your identity if you forget your password or someone else tries to access your account. If these are out of date, you could get locked out of your own account.
Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and click "Security" in the left menu. Look for "Recovery info" and make sure your email address and phone number are correct and that you still have access to them. If you have changed your phone number or email address, update them here. You can add both an email and a phone number for extra backup options.
Keeping this information current takes two minutes and can save you hours of trouble later. If you ever cannot sign in, Microsoft will use these details to confirm you are the real account owner.
Understand what happens to your files and settings when you change your password
Changing your Microsoft account password does not delete your files, photos, or settings on your laptop. Everything stays exactly where it is. The password change only affects how you sign in — it does not touch what is stored on your device.
However, if you use OneDrive (Microsoft's cloud storage), you may be asked to sign in again with your new password the next time you open it. The same is true for Outlook, Skype, or any other Microsoft service running on your laptop. This is normal and a sign that the password change is working correctly. You just enter your new password once, and the service remembers it.
If you have synced your Microsoft account settings across multiple devices (which Windows does automatically), your new password will not affect those devices until you sign out and sign back in with the new password on each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my new password to work on my laptop?
If you change your password at account.microsoft.com, it works the next time you sign in to your laptop — usually within a few minutes. If you change it through your laptop's Settings, it works when ready on that device but may take a few minutes to sync to Microsoft's servers.
Can I change my password if I do not have a recovery email or phone number?
You can change your password through Settings on your laptop without a recovery email or phone, but you cannot change it at account.microsoft.com without one. If you have not set up recovery information, add it now through your account settings so you can recover your account if you forget your password later.
What if I change my password and then forget the new one?
Use the "Can't access your account" link on the Windows sign-in screen and follow the recovery process. Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email or phone number, and you can set a new password. You do not need to remember the old password to do this.
Does changing my password sign me out of other devices?
Changing your password does not automatically sign you out of your phone, tablet, or other computers. However, those devices will ask you to sign in again with your new password the next time they need to verify your account — usually within a few days. You can also manually sign out of other devices through your account.microsoft.com security settings if you want to force the change when ready.
Should I change my password regularly even if I have not had a security problem?
Changing your password once a year or whenever you suspect someone else may have seen it is reasonable. Changing it every month is not necessary unless your organization requires it. Focus instead on using a strong password (at least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols) and keeping your recovery email and phone number up to date.