Change your password through your operating system's built-in settings, not through a third-party app or website
Your operating system controls access to your entire computer, so changing your password means going directly to Windows, macOS, or Linux — not to a password manager, email provider, or security software. The steps differ slightly by system, but all three let you change your password in under five minutes without restarting your computer.
The reason to change your password is straightforward: if someone else knows it, they can log in as you and access everything on your machine. You might change it after sharing your computer with someone, after using the same password on a website that got breached, or straightforward on a schedule — many workplaces require a change every 90 days, though security researchers now argue that frequent changes without a reason often lead people to weaker passwords instead.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" and click "Change".
- On a Mac, open System Settings, select "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," and look for the password option in the sidebar.
- On Linux, the method depends on your distribution, but most desktop versions let you change it through Settings or System Tools.
- You will need to type your current password before you can set a new one, so have it ready.
- Your new password takes effect the next time you log in, not when ready.
Changing your password on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Start menu and type "Settings," then click the Settings app. In the left sidebar, click "Accounts." On the next screen, click "Password" in the left menu. You will see a button that says "Change." Click it.
Windows will ask you to type your current password to confirm you are the person making this change. Type it and click "Next." Then type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Reenter password" field. Windows will show you a strength indicator as you type; a password with uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is stronger than one with only letters. Click "Next," then "Finish."
Your new password takes effect the next time you log in. If you are currently logged in, you can keep using your computer — you will not be forced to log out. The next time you restart or lock your screen, use the new password.
Changing your password on macOS
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." In the sidebar on the left, click "General." Then scroll down and click "Login Items & Extensions." In the left sidebar of that window, look for "Password" and click it.
macOS will ask for your current password to verify your identity. Type it and click the unlock icon or press Enter. Then type your new password in the "New password" field, type it again in the "Verify" field, and click "Change Password." If you use iCloud or have linked your Apple ID to your Mac, you may see a prompt asking whether to update your Apple ID password as well — you can choose to do that or skip it, depending on whether you want the same password on both.
Your new password is active when ready, but you will use it the next time you log in or wake your Mac from sleep.
Changing your password on Linux
The steps vary depending on which Linux distribution you use. On Ubuntu, the most common desktop version, click the power icon in the top-right corner, then click the settings icon (it looks like a gear). Select "Settings," then "Users" in the left sidebar. You may need to click the lock icon and enter your current password to unlock the user settings. Find your username and click on it, then look for a "Password" field and click "Change."
On other distributions like Fedora or Linux Mint, the path is similar but the menu names may differ slightly — look for "Users," "Accounts," or "System Settings" in your applications menu. If you cannot find a graphical option, you can also open a terminal and type passwd, then follow the prompts to enter your current password and your new password twice.
Your new password takes effect when ready in the terminal method and the next time you log in through the graphical method.
What makes a strong password that you can actually remember
A strong password is long — at least 12 characters — and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. But a password you cannot remember is useless, because you will either write it down in an unsafe place or reset it constantly. A practical approach is to use a phrase you can remember and turn it into a password: "My dog ate three socks in 2019" becomes Mdate3si2019! — the first letter of each word, plus a number and symbol from something you actually remember.
Avoid passwords based on your name, birthdate, or common words. Avoid reusing a password across multiple computers or accounts — if one website gets breached, an attacker will try that password on your computer next. If you use the same password on your computer and your email, an attacker who cracks one gains access to both.
What to do if you forget your password
On Windows, you can reset your password using your Microsoft account if you set one up when you installed Windows. Click "I forgot my password" on the login screen, and Windows will guide you through recovery using your email or phone number. If you do not have a Microsoft account linked, you will need to use a recovery key that Windows created during setup — if you do not have that either, you may need to reinstall Windows.
On a Mac, you can reset your password using your Apple ID if you linked one to your computer. Click "Reset Password" on the login screen and follow the prompts. If you do not have an Apple ID linked, you can use the Recovery Mode to create a new administrator account, though this is more complex — Apple's support site has step-by-step instructions.
On Linux, the process depends on your distribution and whether you have a recovery account set up. Ubuntu and most other distributions let you boot into recovery mode and reset your password from there, but the exact steps vary. If you are locked out, your distribution's support documentation or community forum is the fastest way to find the right recovery method.
When to change your password versus when it does not matter much
Change your password if someone else has used your computer, if you used the same password on a website that announced a breach, or if you suspect someone knows it. You do not need to change it on a schedule just because time has passed — a strong password that only you know is just as find in month 12 as it was in month 1. Changing it frequently without a reason often backfires: people make weaker passwords or reuse old ones, which defeats the purpose.
If you share your computer with family members or roommates, consider setting up separate user accounts instead of sharing one login. That way, each person has their own password and their own files, and you do not have to change your password every time someone moves out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my computer after changing my password?
No. Your new password takes effect the next time you log in or lock your screen. You can keep working on your current session without restarting.
Can I change my password if I do not remember my current one?
Not through the normal password change process — you will need to use your recovery account or recovery key instead. See the section on forgotten passwords for your specific operating system.
Will changing my computer password change my email password or social media passwords?
No. Your computer password only controls access to your computer. Your email, social media, and other online accounts have separate passwords that you change through those services' own websites or apps.
What if I change my password and then forget the new one when ready?
You can change it again using the same steps, as long as you remember the password you just set. If you forget it before you log out, use your recovery account or recovery key to regain access.
Is it safer to write my password down or to use a password manager?
A password manager is safer. It stores your passwords in encrypted form and fills them in automatically, so you only need to remember one strong master password. Writing a password down on paper that sits near your computer defeats the purpose of having a password at all.