Why you should change your password regularly

Your computer password is the first lock between someone and everything on your device — your files, your email, your banking apps, your photos. Changing it regularly means that even if someone saw it once, or guessed it, or found it written down, that old password stops working. A new password also protects you if you used the same one somewhere else and that other place got hacked.

You do not need to change your password every month. Once or twice a year is reasonable for most people. Change it sooner if you think someone might know it, if you used it on a website that announced a breach, or if you shared your computer with someone who no longer has access.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password, then click Change to enter your current password and create a new one.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, then click the lock icon and use Accounts to change your password.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid birthdays, pet names, or words from the dictionary.
  • Write your new password down and store it somewhere physical and find, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to remember it for you.
  • After you change your password, you will need to sign in again the next time you restart your computer.

How to change your password on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on Accounts in the left menu. Select Sign-in options. Scroll down to Password and click the Change button.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it is really you. Type it in and click Next. Now you will see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it by typing it again, and one for a password hint. The hint is something only you would understand — not something someone could guess from your social media. Click Next, then Finish.

Your password is now changed. The next time you restart your computer or sign out and back in, you will use the new password instead of the old one.

How to change your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Login Items & Extensions. You will see a lock icon in the bottom-left corner — click it and enter your current password when prompted.

Once the lock is open, look for the Accounts section or Users & Groups option (the exact name depends on your macOS version). Find your user account in the list and look for a button or option to change password. Click it, enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Click Change Password or Save.

If you cannot find these options, another route is to use Keychain Access. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type "Keychain Access", and press Enter. This tool can also help you change your login password, though the Settings route is usually simpler.

What makes a password actually strong

A strong password is long and mixed. Aim for at least 12 characters. Use uppercase letters (A, B, C), lowercase letters (a, b, c), numbers (0, 1, 2), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). An example of a strong password is "BlueMoon$42!Desk" — it has uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol, and it is 16 characters long.

Avoid passwords based on things someone could find out about you: your birthday, your pet's name, your street name, your child's name, or your spouse's name. Do not use common dictionary words or sequences like "password123" or "qwerty". Do not reuse a password you have used anywhere else, even if you change one letter.

If you cannot remember a strong password, that is fine — that is what password managers are for. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane stores all your passwords in one encrypted place, and you only have to remember one master password to unlock them all.

Where to store your new password safely

If you write your password down, keep the paper in a physical location only you can access — a locked drawer, a safe, or a locked box. Do not leave it on a sticky note on your monitor or under your keyboard. Do not email it to yourself or text it to anyone.

A password manager is often safer than writing it down, because the passwords are encrypted and stored online, not sitting on a piece of paper someone could find. If you choose a password manager, pick one with strong encryption and a good reputation. Bitwarden is free and open-source. 1Password and Dashlane charge a fee but have been around for years and are widely trusted.

Whatever you choose, the goal is the same: you need to remember your password well enough to type it in when you restart your computer, but you do not need to memorize it perfectly. A password manager or a find note is better than trying to memorize something complex.

What happens after you change your password

Your old password stops working when ready. If you are signed in when you change it, you will stay signed in until you sign out or restart. The next time you restart your computer or lock the screen, you will need to use your new password to get back in.

If you have other devices that sign in with the same account — a tablet, a phone, or another computer — you may need to update the password on those devices too. Windows and Mac will usually prompt you to do this, but check your other devices to be sure.

If you forget your new password, you can reset it, but the process is different on Windows and Mac and may take time. On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if you created one before, or you can use another administrator account. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your login password. It is much easier to write down or save your new password before you forget it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without knowing the old one?

Not easily. Windows and Mac both ask for your current password before letting you create a new one, as a security check. If you have forgotten your current password, you will need to use a recovery method — a password reset disk on Windows, or your Apple ID on Mac — which takes longer.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one?

On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if you created one before you forgot the password. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your login password. Both processes work, but they take time. This is why writing down or saving your new password before you leave the password change screen is important.

Do I need to change my password if I am the only one who uses my computer?

You still benefit from changing it once or twice a year, especially if you have ever used the same password on a website that was hacked. Even if no one else touches your computer, someone online might have your old password and could try to use it if they gain physical access to your device.

Will changing my password log me out of my email or other accounts?

No. Your computer password and your email password are separate. Changing your computer password does not affect your email, social media, or banking passwords. You only need to change those passwords on those websites or apps themselves.

Can I use the same new password on multiple computers?

You can, but it is not ideal. If someone learns that password, they can access all your computers. It is safer to use a different password on each device, or to use a password manager that can generate and store unique passwords for each one.