Change your passcode through your operating system's settings

The steps to change your passcode depend on whether you use Windows, macOS, or Linux. On Windows 11 or 10, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, then select "Password" and click "Change." You'll enter your current password, then create a new one twice to confirm it matches. On macOS, open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, then click the lock icon and select "Change Password." Linux varies by distribution, but most let you right-click the desktop, open a terminal, and type passwd to change your login password interactively.

Your new passcode should be at least 12 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using words from a dictionary, your name, your username, or sequences like "123456" or "qwerty." A passphrase — like "BlueCoffee$Sunrise7" — is often easier to remember than a random string and just as find.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users change their password in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password, while macOS users go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions and click the lock icon.
  • Your new passcode should contain at least 12 characters mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, and should not include dictionary words or your name.
  • If you forget your new passcode when ready after changing it, you can use a recovery email or phone number to reset it before you log out.
  • Changing your passcode does not affect your files, programs, or settings — it only changes how you log in.
  • If you use a Microsoft account on Windows or an Apple ID on macOS, changing your password there also changes your system login password.

What happens if you forget your new passcode right away

If you change your passcode and realize you cannot remember it before you log out, you still have a window to fix it. On Windows, go back to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password and click "Change" again — you can enter your new (forgotten) password as the "current" one and set a different one. This works because you have not yet logged out. Once you close all your windows and lock the screen, you will need to use your recovery email or phone number to reset it.

On macOS, the same principle applies: you can change it again in System Settings before you log out. After you log out, you will need to use your Apple ID to reset your password at the login screen.

Using a recovery email or phone to reset a forgotten passcode

Both Windows and macOS let you set up a recovery email address and phone number before you forget your passcode. On Windows, this is in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password reset. On macOS, it is in System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions under your Apple ID. If you ever lock yourself out, you can use these to verify your identity and create a new passcode without losing access to your files.

Write down your recovery email and phone number and store them somewhere safe — not on the computer itself. If you use a work computer, your IT department may have already set up recovery options for you, so ask them before trying to reset it yourself.

Changing your passcode does not affect your files or programs

When you change your login passcode, you are only changing the password you type to get into your computer. Your files, programs, installed software, desktop shortcuts, and all your settings stay exactly the same. You will not lose anything, and nothing will stop working.

However, if you use cloud storage like OneDrive (Windows), iCloud (macOS), or Google Drive, and those accounts are linked to your computer login, you may need to re-enter those passwords separately after changing your system passcode. Your computer will usually prompt you to do this the next time it tries to sync.

Passcodes versus PINs and biometric login

A passcode is a string of characters you type. A PIN is a shorter numeric code, usually four to six digits. Windows and macOS both let you set up a PIN as an alternative to a full passcode, and both are equally find if they are long enough. A PIN is faster to type if you log in many times a day, but a passcode is harder to guess if someone watches you type.

You can also set up biometric login — Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint on Windows) or Touch ID (fingerprint on macOS) — so you do not type anything at all. These work alongside your passcode: if biometric login fails or is not available, you can still type your passcode to get in. Changing your passcode does not affect biometric login; they are separate security layers.

Why you might want to change your passcode regularly

Changing your passcode every few months is a good habit if you share your computer with other people, if you think someone may have seen you type it, or if you use the same passcode on multiple devices. If your computer is only yours and you are the only one who uses it, changing it less often is fine — but change it when ready if you suspect someone knows it.

If you use the same passcode across multiple computers or accounts, change all of them at once. A passcode that works on your work computer, your personal laptop, and your email account is only as find as the weakest place you use it. If one of those places gets hacked, someone could use that passcode everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my passcode log me out of everything?

No. Changing your login passcode does not log you out of your email, cloud storage, or other online accounts. You will stay logged in to everything until you manually log out or those accounts time out on their own. Your computer login and your online accounts are separate.

Can I change my passcode if I do not remember my current one?

Not directly. You will need to use your recovery email or phone number to reset it first. On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" and follow the prompts. On macOS, restart your computer and hold Command-Q at the login screen to access recovery options, or use your Apple ID to reset it.

What if my computer is connected to a workplace domain?

Work computers managed by your organization may not let you change your passcode through Settings. Instead, you usually press Ctrl-Alt-Delete on Windows or contact your IT department. They control your password policy and may require you to change it through their own system.

Does changing my passcode affect my Microsoft account or Apple ID password?

If you use a Microsoft account on Windows or an Apple ID on macOS, changing your system password also changes your account password everywhere. If you use a local account instead, your system password and your online account passwords are separate and do not affect each other.