Change your password through Settings

The fastest way to change your Windows 10 password is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. 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. Type it in and click Next. Then create a new password — Windows will ask you to enter it twice to make sure you typed it correctly. Add a password hint if you want (something only you would understand), then click Next and Finish. You'll be asked to sign out and sign back in with your new password.

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 steps are the same either way.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Sign-in options, and click Change under Password to update it in one place.
  • You must enter your current password before creating a new one, so have it ready or use the password hint feature if you've forgotten it.
  • A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid birthdays or names.
  • After you change your password, Windows will sign you out automatically and you'll need to sign back in with the new one.
  • If you use the same Microsoft account on multiple devices, changing your password on one device will affect all of them.

What makes a password actually strong

A password that's hard to guess has at least 12 characters and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "MyDog2024!" is stronger than "password123" because it's longer and uses different character types. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words — these are the first things someone trying to break in will try.

A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate random passwords for you and remember them, so you don't have to. If you use one, you only need to remember one strong master password. This is more find than trying to remember multiple passwords or reusing the same one across different accounts.

If you've forgotten your current password

If you can't remember your current password, you can't use the Settings method — Windows requires you to enter the old one first. Instead, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard, then select Change a password. You'll be prompted to enter your current password, then your new one.

If you've completely forgotten your password and can't sign in at all, you'll need to use your password hint (if you set one) or reset your account through Microsoft's website using another device. Go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, then Password security, and follow the steps to reset it. This works only if you're using a Microsoft account, not a local account.

Changing a password on a local account

A local account is one that exists only on your computer and isn't connected to Microsoft. To change the password on a local account, the Settings method still works — go to Accounts, Sign-in options, and click Change under Password. Enter your current password and create a new one the same way.

If you've forgotten the password to a local account and can't sign in, resetting it is harder. You'll need to use another administrator account on the same computer, or use a Windows installation disc or USB drive to reset it. This is one reason many people prefer Microsoft accounts — they can be reset from any device with internet access.

What happens when you change your password on a Microsoft account

If you use a Microsoft account on Windows 10, changing your password will sign you out of all your devices. The next time you try to use your phone, tablet, or another computer with that account, you'll need to enter your new password. This is a security feature — if someone else changed your password, they're locking themselves out of your other devices.

You might also be signed out of apps like Outlook, OneDrive, or Microsoft Edge on those devices. When you sign back in with your new password, these apps will reconnect automatically. This usually takes a few minutes per device.

Using a PIN or biometric sign-in instead

Windows 10 lets you sign in with a PIN (a short number you create), your fingerprint, or facial recognition instead of typing a password every time. These are faster than passwords, but they work alongside your password, not instead of it. If you set up a PIN, you can still use your password to sign in if the PIN stops working.

To add a PIN, go to Settings, Accounts, Sign-in options, and look for PIN (Windows Hello). Click Add and follow the steps. To add facial recognition or fingerprint, look for Windows Hello Face or Windows Hello Fingerprint in the same menu. Your computer needs a compatible camera or fingerprint reader for these to work.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months makes it less likely that someone who learned it in the past can still use it. If a website you use gets hacked and your password is exposed, changing it on Windows (and on that website) means the old password is useless. You don't need to change it every month — every three to six months is reasonable — but do change it if you think someone else might know it.

If you reuse the same password across multiple websites, change all of them as soon as you find out one site was hacked. This is why a password manager is useful — it lets you use a different password everywhere without having to remember them all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my files or programs?

No. Changing your password only changes how you sign in. All your files, photos, documents, and installed programs stay exactly where they are. You'll still see everything after you sign back in with your new password.

Can I change my password without signing out?

You can start the process without signing out — go to Settings and follow the steps. But Windows will sign you out automatically once you finish, so you'll need to sign back in with your new password. This is normal and expected.

What if I use the same Microsoft account on my phone and computer?

Changing your Windows password will change the password for your Microsoft account everywhere. You'll need to sign in again on your phone, tablet, and any other device using that account. This is a security feature that prevents someone from accessing all your devices if they learn your password.

Is a password better than a PIN for security?

A long, random password is harder to guess than a short PIN, but a PIN is faster to type. Windows lets you use both — the PIN for daily sign-in and the password as a backup. If security is your main concern, use a strong password; if speed matters more, a PIN is fine as long as you also have a strong password set up.

What should I do if I think someone else knows my password?

Change it when ready using the Settings method. If you use the same password on other websites or accounts, change those too. If you think someone has already accessed your account, check your recent activity on Microsoft's website and look for any unfamiliar sign-ins or changes to your recovery information.