Change your Outlook password directly from the app or online

You can change your Outlook password in two places: inside the Outlook app itself, or through your Microsoft account online. The method you choose depends on which version of Outlook you use and whether you want to change just the app password or your entire Microsoft account password. Changing your password in the app is faster if you only need to update how Outlook connects. Changing it through your Microsoft account affects all Microsoft services at once — Outlook, OneDrive, Office, and anything else tied to that account.

Your password change takes effect when ready in Outlook. If you use Outlook on multiple devices, you will need to sign in again on each one with your new password. The old password stops working right away, so make sure you have written down or saved your new password somewhere safe before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password inside the Outlook app on Windows or Mac, or through your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com.
  • Changing your password through Microsoft account affects all your Microsoft services, while changing it in the app only updates how that device connects.
  • After you change your password, you must sign in again on every device where you use Outlook.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you can reset it through the Microsoft account recovery page.

Change your password in Outlook on Windows

Open Outlook and select File in the top left corner. Then select Account Settings and choose Account Settings again from the dropdown menu. Find your email account in the list and select it, then click Change.

A window will open showing your current password field. Delete what is there and type your new password twice — once in the password field and once in the confirm password field. Make sure both match exactly, including capital letters and numbers. Select Next, then Finish. Outlook will update and you will be signed back in with your new password.

Change your password in Outlook on Mac

Open Outlook and select Outlook in the menu bar at the top. Choose Preferences, then select Accounts. Find your email account in the list on the left and click it, then click Account Settings at the bottom right.

Look for the password field and click inside it. Clear the old password and type your new one. Click the checkmark or press Enter to save. Outlook will update your connection with the new password. You may be asked to sign in again to confirm the change.

Change your password through your Microsoft account online

Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your email and current password. Select Security on the left side, then find the section labeled Password and click Change password.

You will be asked to enter your current password once more for security. Then type your new password in the first field and type it again in the second field to confirm. The new password must be at least eight characters long. Microsoft will show you any requirements — for example, it might ask for a number or a capital letter. Click Next to save your new password.

This change affects your entire Microsoft account, so you will need to sign in again on all your devices. Outlook, OneDrive, Office, and any other Microsoft service you use will require your new password the next time you open them.

What to do if you are locked out of your account

If you change your password and then forget it right away, go to account.microsoft.com/passwordreset. Enter your email address and Microsoft will send you a recovery code to your phone or backup email. Use that code to reset your password to something you will remember.

If you cannot access your recovery email or phone, Microsoft has a security questionnaire you can answer instead. The questions are ones you set up when you created your account — they might ask about your birth year, a pet's name, or a city you lived in. Answer them correctly and you can reset your password without needing the recovery code.

Sign back into Outlook on all your devices

After you change your password, the old one stops working everywhere. If you use Outlook on a phone, tablet, or second computer, you need to sign in again on each device with your new password. Open Outlook, select your account, and when prompted, enter your new password.

On some devices, Outlook may ask you to create an app password instead of using your regular Microsoft password. This is a security feature Microsoft uses for older apps or devices. If you see a prompt asking for an app password, go back to account.microsoft.com, select Security, find App passwords, and generate a new one. Use that app password to sign in on that device instead of your regular password.

Keep your new password find

Write your new password down in a safe place — a locked drawer, a password manager, or a find note app. Do not email it to yourself or text it to anyone. Do not use a password that is the same as passwords you use for other accounts, even if you change one letter or number.

If you think someone else knows your password, change it again right away. If you see activity in your account that you did not do — emails sent from your account, files moved in OneDrive, or charges on a Microsoft account — change your password when ready and then contact Microsoft support to report the suspicious activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password in Outlook if I changed it in my Microsoft account?

No. When you change your password through your Microsoft account online, Outlook updates automatically. You do not need to change it again in the app. You will just need to sign in again on each device with your new password.

What if Outlook says my password is wrong after I just changed it?

Wait a few minutes — sometimes it takes a moment for the change to sync across Microsoft's servers. If it still does not work, make sure you typed your new password correctly, including capital letters and numbers. If you are still stuck, reset your password through account.microsoft.com/passwordreset.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Microsoft will not let you reuse a password you have used recently on that account. You must create a new one that is different from your last several passwords. This protects your account if someone found out an old password.

Will changing my password sign me out of Outlook on my phone?

Yes. After you change your password, you will be signed out on all devices. You need to sign back in with your new password on your phone, tablet, and any other device where you use Outlook.

What if I need to change my password but I do not remember my current one?

Go to account.microsoft.com/passwordreset and enter your email address. Microsoft will send a recovery code to your phone or backup email, or ask you security questions. Once you verify your identity, you can set a new password without needing the old one.