Change your password from your Microsoft account page
The fastest way to change your Microsoft password is to go directly to your account security page and do it yourself. You do not need to be signed in to Windows or Outlook — you only need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account.
Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Security" from the left menu. Look for the section labeled "Password" and select "Change password". Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your email or phone — choose whichever one you have access to right now. Enter that code, then create your new password.
Your new password takes effect when ready. If you are signed in on any device — your phone, laptop, tablet, or web browser — you will be signed out automatically. The next time you sign in anywhere, use your new password.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your password anytime from account.microsoft.com without needing to remember your old one.
- Microsoft will send a verification code to your email or phone number to confirm it is really you making the change.
- After you change your password, you will be signed out of all devices and will need to sign back in with the new password.
- If you cannot remember your password and cannot access your recovery email or phone, use the account recovery process instead of trying to change it.
What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone
If you have forgotten your password and the email address or phone number on file is no longer yours, you cannot complete the password change from the security page — Microsoft will not be able to send you a verification code. In this case, go to account.microsoft.com/security/how-to-reset-microsoft-account-password and select "I forgot my password".
Microsoft will walk you through account recovery, which may ask you to answer security questions you set up in the past, provide a recovery code you saved earlier, or verify your identity another way. This process can take longer than a straightforward password change, and Microsoft may ask you to wait 24 hours before trying again if they cannot verify you when ready.
Change your password from Windows 10 or Windows 11
If you are signed in to Windows with your Microsoft account, you can change your password without leaving your computer. Press the Windows key and type "change password" — the system will show you an option to change your account password. Select it, then enter your current password once, and your new password twice.
Windows will sync this change to your Microsoft account within a few minutes. You do not need to restart, but you may be signed out of some apps or services on your computer while Windows updates them with your new credentials.
Change your password from Outlook or other Microsoft services
If you use Outlook.com, OneDrive, or another Microsoft service, you can also change your password from within that service. In Outlook, select your profile picture in the top right, then "View account". Select "Security" and then "Change password". The process is the same as changing it from the main account page — Microsoft sends a verification code and you create a new password.
No matter which Microsoft service you use to change your password, the change applies to your entire Microsoft account. You will need to use the new password to sign in to Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, Microsoft 365, and any other service connected to that account.
Why you might want to change your password regularly
Changing your password is one of the strongest ways to protect your account if you think someone else might know it. If you have used the same password on multiple websites and one of those websites was hacked, change your Microsoft password when ready — attackers often try passwords from one breach on other popular services.
You should also change your password if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access, if you used it on a public or shared computer, or if you straightforward have not changed it in over a year. Microsoft does not require you to change your password on any schedule, but security experts recommend doing it at least once a year as a routine precaution.
What happens after you change your password
Your new password takes effect right away on account.microsoft.com and all Microsoft services. Any device you are currently signed in on will be signed out within a few minutes — you will see a notification asking you to sign back in. Have your new password ready before you start this process on multiple devices, because you will need it for each one.
If you have saved your password in your web browser or in Windows, those saved passwords will no longer work. Your browser or computer will ask you to enter your new password the next time you try to sign in, and you can choose to save the new one. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, update your Microsoft password there as well so you do not accidentally sign in with the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know my old password to change it?
No. You only need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account. Microsoft will send a verification code to that address, and once you enter it, you can create a new password without ever typing the old one.
How long does it take for my new password to work everywhere?
Your new password works when ready on account.microsoft.com and all web-based Microsoft services. On phones, tablets, and computers, it may take a few minutes to sync. If a device does not recognize your new password after 10 minutes, sign out completely and sign back in manually.
What if I change my password and then forget the new one?
Use the account recovery process at account.microsoft.com/security/how-to-reset-microsoft-account-password. You will need to verify your identity using your recovery email, phone number, or security questions. This is the same process as recovering a forgotten password.
Will changing my password delete my files or emails?
No. Changing your password does not affect any of your data. Your emails, OneDrive files, photos, and all other content stay exactly where they are. Only the password you use to sign in changes.
Can I change my password on my phone?
Yes. Open a web browser on your phone, go to account.microsoft.com, and follow the same steps as on a computer. You can also change it through the Outlook app or Microsoft account app if you have either installed, though the web page is usually the most straightforward route.