Change your password through Settings on Windows 10 and 11

The fastest way to change your Windows password is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app from the results. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then select Sign-in options. Under the "Password" section, click Change.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in and click Next. Then create your new password — Windows requires at least eight characters, and it works best if you mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Type the new password twice to confirm you entered it correctly, add a password hint if you want one (though keep it vague — this hint is visible to anyone at your login screen), then click Next and Finish.

Your new password takes effect when ready. The next time you sign in, use the new password instead of the old one.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Accounts, select Sign-in options, find the Password section, and click Change to start the process.
  • Windows requires at least eight characters in your new password, and mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols makes it stronger.
  • You must enter your current password before creating a new one, and you type the new password twice to confirm it.
  • If you forget your password after changing it, you can reset it using a password reset disk or a Microsoft account recovery option, depending on your account type.
  • On a work computer, your IT department may prevent password changes through Settings — contact them if the Change button is grayed out.

Change your password if you use a Microsoft account

If you sign into Windows with a Microsoft account (the same email and password you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), changing your Windows password also changes your Microsoft account password everywhere. This means the new password works for your email, cloud storage, and any other Microsoft services you use.

Follow the same steps through Settings — go to Accounts, Sign-in options, Password, then Change. Enter your current password and create your new one. Because this password controls access to your email and cloud files, make it something you have not used on other websites.

Change your password using Ctrl+Alt+Delete

You can also change your password from the login screen or while signed in. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete together. A menu appears with several options — select Change a password. Windows asks for your current password, then prompts you to enter and confirm your new password. Click the arrow or press Enter to explore the change.

This method works the same way as Settings but is faster if you are already at the login screen or want to change your password without opening Settings.

What to do if you cannot change your password

If the Change button is grayed out or you see a message that you do not have permission, your computer may be managed by an organization. Work computers, school computers, and computers in shared environments often have policies that prevent password changes through the normal route. Contact your IT department or system administrator — they can change your password for you or tell you the correct process for your setup.

If you are on a personal computer and the button is still grayed out, restart your computer and try again. If the problem continues, you may be signed in with a limited account rather than an administrator account. Ask whoever set up the computer to change the password for you, or to give your account administrator rights.

Create a password reset disk before you forget your password

If you change your password and then forget it, Windows can let you reset it — but only if you prepared ahead. While you still remember your current password, create a password reset disk. Insert a USB drive into your computer, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Sign-in options. Scroll down to "Password" and click Create a password reset disk. Follow the prompts to save the reset file to your USB drive.

Keep this USB drive in a safe place. If you ever forget your new password, insert the drive at the login screen, click "Reset password", and follow the steps to create a new one. Without this disk, resetting a forgotten password is much harder and may require contacting Microsoft support or wiping your computer.

Change your password regularly and keep it private

Changing your password every few months reduces the risk that someone who saw it once can still use it. If you think someone may have seen your password — a family member watching you type, a public computer, a website you used the same password on — change it right away.

Never share your Windows password with anyone, including IT support staff or Microsoft employees. Real support will never ask for your password. If someone claims to be from Microsoft or your company and asks for it, that is a scam — hang up or close the message and contact the organization directly using a phone number or website you know is real.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password if I do not remember the old one?

Not through Settings — Windows requires your current password to change it. If you forgot it, you need a password reset disk you created earlier, or you can reset your Microsoft account password online if you have access to your recovery email or phone number. For a local account with no reset disk, you will need to contact Microsoft support or reset Windows.

Does changing my Windows password change my email password?

Only if you sign into Windows with a Microsoft account. If you use a local account (a password just for that computer), changing your Windows password does not affect your email or other online accounts. If you use a Microsoft account, the password change applies everywhere you use that account.

How long should my new password be?

Windows requires at least eight characters. Longer is better — 12 to 16 characters is strong. Mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birth date, or words from the dictionary, since those are straightforward to guess.

What if I change my password and then cannot sign in?

Make sure you are typing the new password, not the old one. Check that Caps Lock is off — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" is different from "password". If you are certain you typed it correctly and still cannot sign in, restart your computer and try again. If the problem continues, use your password reset disk if you have one.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Technically yes, but it defeats the purpose of changing your password. If you are changing it because you think someone saw it, use something completely different. If you are changing it just to refresh your security, pick something new that you have not used on other websites.