Change your password directly in Outlook on the web or your desktop app

The fastest way to change your Outlook password depends on which version you use. If you access Outlook through a web browser, you change it in your Microsoft account settings, not in the email app itself. If you use the Outlook desktop process on Windows or Mac, you update it through your account settings there. Either way, the process takes about five minutes and you stay logged in the whole time.

Your password change takes effect when ready across all devices where you use Outlook — your phone, tablet, desktop, and web browser. You do not need to sign out and back in, though some devices may ask you to re-enter your password the next time you open the app.

Key Takeaways

  • On Outlook.com or Outlook on the web, go to your Microsoft account settings and select "Change password" under the Security section.
  • In the Outlook desktop app on Windows, open File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select your email address, then choose "Change Password".
  • On Mac, open Outlook > Preferences > Accounts, select your email, then click "Advanced" and choose the password option.
  • You will need your current password to confirm the change, and your new password must be at least eight characters long.
  • The new password syncs to all your devices within minutes, though some apps may not prompt for it until you sign out and back in.

Change your password on Outlook.com or Outlook on the web

Open your web browser and go to outlook.com or outlook.office.com. Sign in with your email address and current password if you are not already logged in. Look for your profile picture or initials in the top right corner and click it.

Select "View account" or "Account settings" from the menu that appears. You will land on your Microsoft account page. On the left side, find the "Security" section and click "Change your password". Enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Click "Next" and you are done — the change is live when ready.

Change your password in Outlook on Windows

Open the Outlook desktop process. At the top left, click "File". In the menu that opens, select "Account Settings" and then "Account Settings" again from the submenu.

A window will open showing all your email accounts. Click the email address you want to change the password for, then look for a button or option that says "Change Password". Click it. You will see a prompt asking for your current password and your new password. Enter both, click "Change", and the update takes effect right away.

If you do not see a "Change Password" button, your account may be set up differently. Instead, look for "Advanced Settings" or right-click your email address and select "Settings". From there, find the password field and update it directly.

Change your password in Outlook on Mac

Open Outlook on your Mac. At the top of the screen, click "Outlook" in the menu bar, then select "Preferences". A window will open with several options on the left side.

Click "Accounts" to see your email accounts. Find and click the email address you want to change. At the bottom of the window, click the "Advanced" button. Look for a field labeled "Password" and click in it. Delete your current password and type your new one, then close the window. The change saves automatically.

What to do if you forget your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it from within Outlook. Instead, go directly to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and click "Can't access your account?" or "Forgot my password". Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up previously.

Once you verify who you are, you can set a brand new password. After that, sign back into Outlook with your new password on all your devices. This process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Requirements for a strong new password

Microsoft requires your new password to be at least eight characters long. A strong password includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. Avoid using your name, email address, or common words that appear in the dictionary.

Your password cannot be one you have used in the past year, and it cannot be the same as your current password. If you try to use a password that does not meet these rules, Outlook will reject it and ask you to try again.

Troubleshooting password changes that do not work

If you change your password but Outlook on your phone or tablet still shows an error, the app may not have synced the new password yet. Wait 10 to 15 minutes, then try signing out completely and signing back in with your new password. On most phones, you do this by going to Settings > Accounts > Your Email > Remove Account, then adding it back.

If you see a message saying "Password has expired" or "Authentication failed" after changing your password, your device may be using an app password instead of your main password. This happens with older devices or apps that do not support modern security. Check your Microsoft account security settings to see if you have app passwords set up, and use the correct one for that device.

If the change still does not work after 30 minutes, sign out of Outlook completely on that device, restart it, and sign back in. This forces the device to read your new password settings from Microsoft's servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on every device separately?

No. When you change your password in one place, it updates across all devices automatically. However, some apps may not recognize the change until you sign out and back in, or until you restart the app.

What happens to my saved emails when I change my password?

Your emails stay exactly where they are. Changing your password does not delete, move, or affect any of your messages, folders, or contacts. Only your login credentials change.

Can I change my password from the Outlook mobile app?

No, you cannot change your password directly in the Outlook mobile app on iPhone or Android. You must change it through outlook.com, the desktop app, or your Microsoft account page at account.microsoft.com.

How often should I change my Outlook password?

Microsoft does not require you to change your password on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you use the same password on multiple websites, or if you have not changed it in over a year. If your account shows suspicious activity, change it when ready.

Will changing my password sign me out of Outlook everywhere?

No. You stay signed in on all your devices. Some devices may ask you to enter your new password the next time you open the app, but you will not be forced to sign out.