How to Change Your Lock Screen Password on Windows and Mac

Where to find your lock screen password settings

Your lock screen password is the one you enter when you turn on your computer or wake it from sleep. On Windows, you change it through Settings under your user account. On Mac, you change it through System Settings under your Apple ID or local user account. Both paths take about two minutes once you know where to look.

The location matters because Windows and Mac store passwords differently. Windows ties your password to your Microsoft account by default, while Mac can use either your Apple ID or a local password that exists only on that machine. Knowing which one you have prevents you from changing the wrong password and locking yourself out.

Key Takeaways

On Windows 11, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info to change your password if you use a Microsoft account, or Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options for a local account password.
On Mac, open System Settings > General > Users & Groups, select your account, and click the lock icon to change your password.
If you forget your password before changing it, Windows can send a reset code to your email, but Mac requires you to know your Apple ID password or answer security questions.
Changing your password does not affect your files or programs — only what you type to unlock your computer.
If you use a Microsoft account on Windows, your new password syncs across all your devices that use the same account.

Changing your password on Windows 11

On Windows 11, the path depends on whether you sign in with a Microsoft account or a local account. A Microsoft account is the email address you use to sign into Microsoft services like Outlook or OneDrive. A local account is a username that exists only on that computer.

For a Microsoft account: Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it. Go to Accounts > Your info. Click "Change your password" and follow the prompts. Windows will ask you to enter your current password, then type your new password twice. You can use letters, numbers, and symbols. Once you confirm, the change takes effect the next time you sign in.

For a local account: Open Settings and go to Accounts > Sign-in options. Scroll down to "Password" and click "Change." Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Local account passwords are stored only on that computer, so the change does not sync to other devices.

If you cannot remember your current password before making the change, Windows can send a reset code to the email address linked to your Microsoft account. On the sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password" and follow the recovery steps. For a local account with no recovery email set up, you will need to use a password reset disk you created earlier, or contact your system administrator if this is a work computer.

Changing your password on Mac

On Mac, the process is the same whether you use an Apple ID or a local account, but the location of the setting changed in recent versions. On macOS Ventura and newer, open System Settings (not System Preferences) and go to General > Users & Groups. On older versions, open System Preferences and go to Users & Groups.

Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner of the window and enter your current password to unlock the settings. Select your user account from the list on the left. Click the "Change Password" button. Type your current password once, then type your new password twice. Click "Change Password" to confirm.

If you use an Apple ID on your Mac and forget your password, you can reset it through your Apple ID account on iCloud.com. If you use a local account and forget your password, you will need to answer the security questions you set up during account creation. If you did not set up security questions and cannot remember your password, you will need to restart your Mac in Recovery Mode and create a new password from there — a process that requires technical steps beyond a straightforward password change.

What happens after you change your password

Once you change your lock screen password, you will use the new one the next time you sign in or wake your computer from sleep. Your old password stops working when ready. All your files, programs, and settings remain exactly as they were — changing your password does not affect anything on your computer except what you type to unlock it.

On Windows with a Microsoft account, your new password syncs to any other Windows computer, tablet, or phone you sign into with the same Microsoft account. On Mac with an Apple ID, the same applies across your Apple devices. On local accounts, the password change stays only on that one computer.

Making your new password strong

A strong lock screen password is one you are the only person who knows and one that is not straightforward to guess. Both Windows and Mac accept passwords with uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A password like "BlueMountain42!" is stronger than "password" or "123456" because it mixes character types and does not use common words.

Avoid using your name, your birthday, or the name of someone close to you. Avoid repeating the same password across multiple accounts — if one account is breached, others stay safe. If you have trouble remembering a complex password, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, which stores passwords securely and fills them in for you.

If you get locked out of your account

If you change your password and then forget it before you write it down, Windows and Mac both have recovery options, but they work differently. On Windows with a Microsoft account, click "I forgot my password" on the sign-in screen and follow the email recovery process. On Windows with a local account, you will need a password reset disk or security questions you set up earlier.

On Mac, you can reset your password using your Apple ID password if your account is linked to one. If you use a local account with no Apple ID, you will need to answer your security questions. If you cannot answer them and did not create a recovery key, you will need to restart in Recovery Mode and reset your password from there, which is a more involved process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my lock screen password change my Microsoft or Apple ID password?

No. Your lock screen password and your Microsoft or Apple ID password are separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want to change your Microsoft or Apple ID password itself, you do that on Microsoft.com or Apple.com, not on your computer.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Yes, technically you can, but it defeats the purpose of changing your password. If you changed it because you think someone else knows it, using the same password again leaves you at the same risk. If you changed it just to refresh your security, pick something new.

What if I change my password and my computer still asks for the old one?

Restart your computer. Sometimes the system does not register the change until you sign out and back in. If restarting does not fix it, try changing the password again through the same settings menu.

Will changing my password affect my Wi-Fi or email?

No. Your lock screen password only unlocks your computer. It does not change your Wi-Fi password, email password, or any other account passwords. Those are separate and stay the same.

Can I set a password hint so I remember it?

Windows allows you to set a password hint on local accounts, which appears on the sign-in screen if you enter the wrong password. Mac does not have a hint feature, but you can write your hint down somewhere safe offline. Never write your actual password down.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.