The fastest way to change your password

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings icon. Go to Accounts, then Sign-in options on the left side. Under "Password", click Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Click Next, then Finish. Your new password takes effect the next time you sign in.

This method works whether you use a Microsoft account (the kind linked to Outlook or Hotmail) or a local account (one that exists only on your computer). The process is the same either way, and you do not need to restart your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change without restarting.
  • Windows requires you to enter your current password before creating a new one, so you must remember what it is now.
  • Your new password takes effect when you sign out and sign back in, not when ready.
  • If you forgot your current password, you cannot use this method — you will need to use the password reset option on the sign-in screen instead.

What makes a strong password for Windows

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, "BlueSky#2024Spring" is stronger than "password123" because it combines different types of characters and does not use common words or patterns. Windows does not force you to use any particular type of character, but the longer and more varied your password is, the harder it is for someone else to guess.

Avoid using your username, your name, your birth year, or common words that appear in a dictionary. Do not reuse a password you have used on other websites or accounts. If that password is ever leaked from another site, someone could use it to access your computer.

Changing your password if you use a Microsoft account

If your Windows 10 account is connected to a Microsoft account, you have two places where you can change your password. The Settings method described above changes the password on your computer only. If you want to change the password for your actual Microsoft account (which also controls your email, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services), you need to go to the Microsoft account website instead.

Visit account.microsoft.com in your web browser, sign in with your current password, and look for Security on the left side. Click Change your password. You will need to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your email or phone. After you change it there, you will need to enter the new password the next time you sign into Windows. Changing it on the Microsoft website changes it everywhere you use that account.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, go to the Windows sign-in screen (where you normally type your password) and look for I forgot my password below the password box. Click it. Windows will walk you through verifying your identity — usually by sending a code to your email address or phone number associated with your account.

If you use a local account and have no recovery email or phone number set up, you may not be able to reset your password without additional help. This is why setting up a recovery email or phone number in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password recovery options is useful before you forget your password.

Changing the password for a different user account

If you are the administrator on the computer, you can change another user's password without knowing their current one. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Other people. Click the account you want to change, then click Change password. You will be asked to enter a new password for that person's account. They will need to use this new password the next time they sign in.

This is useful if someone in your household forgets their password and you need to get them back into their account. However, if that person has files encrypted with their old password, they may lose access to those files when the password changes. For this reason, it is better to help them use the "I forgot my password" option on the sign-in screen so they can reset it themselves.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months reduces the window of time that a stolen or guessed password can be used to access your computer. If someone obtained your password from a data breach at another company, changing it means they cannot use the old one anymore. Regular password changes also help if you suspect someone else may have seen or guessed your password.

You do not need to change your password every week or month if you use a strong, unique password and have not shared it with anyone. But if you reuse passwords across multiple websites, or if you use a straightforward password, changing it more often is a good idea. Windows does not remind you to change your password, so you have to remember to do it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my password?

No. Your new password takes effect the next time you sign out and sign back in. You can keep working on your computer after changing your password — it does not interrupt anything you are doing.

What if I type my new password wrong and it does not match the second time?

Windows will tell you the passwords do not match and ask you to try again. Make sure you are typing the same thing both times. If you are unsure what you typed, use the eye icon next to the password box to show the characters as you type.

Can I change my password from the sign-in screen?

No, the sign-in screen only lets you reset a forgotten password. To change a password you remember, you must sign in first and use Settings. The sign-in screen does not have a "change password" option.

Will changing my password log me out of other devices?

If you use a Microsoft account and change the password on the Microsoft website, you will be signed out of most other devices and services using that account. If you change only the local password through Settings, it affects only that computer.

What if I cannot remember my new password right after I create it?

Write it down in a find place, like a password manager or a locked notebook, before you sign out. Once you sign out, you will need to remember it to sign back in. If you forget it when ready, use the "I forgot my password" option on the sign-in screen to reset it again.