Change your password through your operating system's built-in settings

The fastest way to change your password is through the account settings on your computer itself, not through a web browser or third-party tool. On Windows, you open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" and choose "Change." On a Mac, you open System Settings, click "General," then "Login Items," and look for "Password" options — though the exact path varies by macOS version. Both systems walk you through entering your current password, then your new one twice to confirm you typed it correctly.

This method changes the password you use to log into your computer every time you turn it on or wake it from sleep. It does not change passwords for email accounts, social media, banking, or other websites — those require separate changes in each service. Many people confuse the two and think changing their computer password protects their online accounts, which it does not.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer password and your online account passwords are separate — changing one does not change the other.
  • Windows users change their password in Settings under Accounts, while Mac users go to System Settings and look for password options in General or Users & Groups depending on their macOS version.
  • A strong computer password uses at least 12 characters mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, and avoids words found in a dictionary.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, restart your computer and try logging in before you panic — you may have made a typo.
  • Changing your password regularly (every few months) is less important than using a unique, strong password that you do not reuse across devices or accounts.

Why your computer password matters differently than your online passwords

Your computer password is the lock on your physical device. Someone who knows it can turn on your computer, see all your files, access your email if it stays logged in, and potentially install software that steals information. A weak or reused computer password means anyone with brief physical access to your device — a roommate, a coworker, a family member — can get in.

Your online account passwords (email, banking, social media) protect those specific services even if your computer is compromised. If your computer password is weak but your email password is strong and unique, an attacker who gets into your computer still cannot access your email account from another device. The reverse is also true: a strong computer password does not protect your email if your email password is weak.

This is why security experts recommend treating them as separate problems. Change your computer password when you suspect someone may have seen you type it, or when you share a device with people you no longer trust. Change your online passwords on a different schedule — usually when you reuse a password across multiple sites, or when a service announces a breach.

Create a password that is actually hard to guess

A strong computer password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "Sunshine2024!" is weak because it uses a common word and a predictable number. "7mK$vQp2nRx9" is stronger because it has no pattern a person or a guessing program can recognize.

The catch is that a random string like "7mK$vQp2nRx9" is almost impossible to remember. Most people either write it down (which defeats the purpose) or reuse the same password across multiple devices (which means one breach compromises everything). A practical middle ground is a passphrase — a sentence or string of unrelated words that only you would think of, like "purple-elephant-thursday-sandwich-42." This is easier to remember than random characters but much harder to guess than a dictionary word.

Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, address, pet's name, or anything someone could learn from your social media. Avoid sequences like "123456" or "qwerty." Avoid repeating the same character or pattern. If you use a password manager (a program that stores and generates passwords for you), it can create and remember a truly random password so you do not have to.

Steps to change your password on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. In the Settings window, click "Accounts" on the left side. Click "Password" under the "Account settings" section. You will see a button that says "Change." Click it.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it is really you. Type it and click "Next." Then type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Confirm password" field. Windows will show you a strength meter; aim for "Strong" or "Very strong." Click "Next," then "Finish." Your new password takes effect the next time you log out and log back in, or the next time you restart your computer.

If you use a PIN or biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition) instead of a password, you can still change your password through the same menu — it just sits below the PIN or biometric option. Changing one does not affect the others; you can use a PIN to log in and still have a password set for situations where the PIN does not work.

Steps to change your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." On newer Macs (Ventura and later), click "General" in the sidebar, then scroll down and look for password options. On older Macs (Monterey and earlier), click "Users & Groups" in the sidebar instead. You may need to click the lock icon at the bottom of the window and enter your current password to make changes.

Once you are in the right section, look for a button labeled "Change Password" or similar. Click it, then enter your current password when prompted. Type your new password twice to confirm it, then click "Change Password." The change takes effect when ready, though you will need to use the new password the next time you log in or wake your Mac from sleep.

If you use a Mac with Touch ID (fingerprint login), changing your password does not disable Touch ID — both can work together. You can also set up a recovery key, which is a long code that lets you reset your password if you forget it. Apple's System Settings will prompt you to save this somewhere safe, like in a password manager or written down in a find location.

What to do if you forget your new password right after changing it

If you changed your password and when ready cannot remember it, restart your computer before you assume something went wrong. You may have made a typo while entering it twice, and restarting will force you to log in fresh — this often jogs your memory about what you actually typed.

If restarting does not help, your options depend on whether you set up a recovery method. On Windows, if you use a Microsoft account (rather than a local account), you can reset your password from the Windows login screen by clicking "I forgot my password" and following the prompts — this sends a reset link to your email. On Mac, if you set up a recovery key or have another admin account on the computer, you can use those to reset your password.

If you have no recovery method set up and cannot log in, you will need to contact Microsoft (for Windows) or Apple (for Mac) support, or take your computer to a repair shop. This is why security experts recommend setting up a recovery email or phone number before you change your password — it takes two minutes and saves you hours of trouble later.

Changing passwords on shared computers and work devices

If you share a computer with family members or roommates, each person should have their own user account with their own password. This prevents one person from accessing another person's files, email, or browsing history. If your computer only has one account, create a second account for the other person rather than sharing a password.

If you use a work computer, your employer may have policies about password length, complexity, or how often you must change it. Some workplaces require passwords to be changed every 30 or 90 days; others only require a change when you suspect a breach. Follow your workplace policy rather than your own preference, because your work computer is your employer's property and they control the security rules.

If you leave a job, your employer will disable your access to the work computer and network — you do not need to change the password yourself. If you use a personal computer for work (a laptop you own but use for your job), change your password after your last day to make sure your former employer cannot access it, even if they have a copy of the old password written down somewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my computer password change my email password?

No. Your computer password and your email password are completely separate. Changing one does not affect the other. If you want to change your email password, you must log into your email account (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or whatever service you use) and change it there. Many people confuse the two and think they have changed their email password when they have only changed their computer password.

How often should I change my computer password?

Security experts now recommend changing your password only when you suspect someone may have seen it, or when you reuse the same password across multiple devices. Changing a strong, unique password every 30 days does not make you significantly safer and often leads people to write passwords down or reuse weak variations. Focus on making your password strong and unique instead of changing it frequently.

What if I share my computer with someone I trust but want privacy?

Create a separate user account for them instead of sharing your password. Both of you can log into the same computer with different accounts, and neither of you can see the other person's files unless you explicitly share them. This is safer than sharing a password because you can change your password without affecting their access, and you can delete their account if they move out without losing your own files.

Can I use the same password for my computer and my email?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone guesses or steals your computer password, they get access to both your computer and your email. If you use the same password across multiple accounts or devices, one breach compromises everything. Use a unique password for each important account — your computer, your email, your banking, and your password manager.

What happens if I forget my password and have no recovery method set up?

You will not be able to log into your computer. On Windows, you can try the "I forgot my password" option on the login screen if you use a Microsoft account, which sends a reset link to your email. On Mac, you can use a recovery key if you set one up, or contact Apple support. If you have neither, you will need professional help to regain access. This is why setting up a recovery email or phone number before you change your password is worth the few minutes it takes.