Change your password from the Microsoft account website

The fastest way to change your Microsoft password is to go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser, sign in with your current password, and use the "Security" section to set a new one. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity — usually by sending a code to your phone or email — before letting you create the new password. The whole process takes about five minutes.

You do not need to change your password on each device separately. Once you update it on the Microsoft website, your new password works everywhere: Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, Windows sign-in, and any other service linked to that account. Devices you are already signed into will stay signed in until you sign out or until Microsoft forces a re-authentication for security reasons.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and select "Security" to change your password in one place for all your Microsoft services.
  • Microsoft will send a verification code to your phone or email before you can create a new password.
  • Your new password takes effect when ready on the Microsoft website and in cloud services like Outlook and OneDrive.
  • Windows devices may ask you to sign in again with your new password the next time you restart or lock your screen.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the sign-in screen to recover it through your phone or backup email.

What happens on Windows devices after you change your password

If your Windows computer or tablet is set up to sign in with your Microsoft account, you will need to use your new password the next time you lock the screen or restart. Windows does not force an when ready sign-out, but it will prompt you when you next need to authenticate. If you are in the middle of work, you can wait until a natural stopping point to restart or lock your device.

If you use a local account on Windows instead of a Microsoft account, changing your Microsoft password does not affect your Windows sign-in at all. A local account is separate — it only signs you into that specific computer. You would change a local account password through Windows Settings under "Accounts" instead.

Changing your password on a phone or tablet

You cannot change your Microsoft password directly from the Microsoft apps on your phone or tablet. Instead, open a web browser on your phone, go to account.microsoft.com, and follow the same steps as on a computer. After you change it, sign out of the Microsoft apps (Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox) and sign back in with your new password.

On an iPhone or iPad, you may also need to update your password in Settings under "Passwords & Accounts" if you have set up your Microsoft account there. On Android, check Settings under "Accounts" and update the account details if prompted. The Microsoft website change is what matters most — the app sign-outs and re-sign-ins will follow automatically.

Using a strong password and two-step verification

Microsoft recommends a password that is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, username, or common words. A phrase you remember — like "BlueSky$Sunrise2024" — is stronger than a single word with numbers added.

After you change your password, consider turning on two-step verification for extra security. This means Microsoft will ask for a second form of proof (usually a code sent to your phone) when you sign in from a new device or location. You can set this up in the "Security" section of account.microsoft.com, right next to where you changed your password. Two-step verification takes a few extra seconds at sign-in but makes it much harder for someone else to access your account even if they know your password.

If you cannot remember your current password

On the Microsoft sign-in page, select "Can't access your account?" below the password field. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address or phone number, then send a verification code to a phone number or email address you have on file. Enter that code, and you can set a new password without needing the old one.

This recovery process works even if you have not signed in for months. Microsoft keeps your recovery information active as long as your account exists. If you no longer have access to the phone number or email you used to set up recovery, you can add new recovery information through the "Security" section of account.microsoft.com while you are still signed in.

Changing your password on Xbox or other Microsoft services

Xbox, Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services all use the same account and password. When you change your password on account.microsoft.com, it changes for all of them at once. You do not need to go into each service separately.

If you are signed into Xbox and change your password on the website, you will be signed out of Xbox the next time it checks for authentication — usually within a few hours. Sign back in with your new password. The same applies to Outlook on the web: you may need to sign in again after changing your password, depending on your browser settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password on my phone after I change it on the website?

Not when ready. Your phone will continue to work with your old password until you sign out of the Microsoft apps or until your phone prompts you to re-authenticate. When that happens, sign in with your new password. You do not need to go into phone settings and manually update it unless your phone specifically asks you to.

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

Use the "Can't access your account?" link on the Microsoft sign-in page, the same way you would if you forgot any password. Microsoft will send a verification code to your phone or email and let you set another new password. You do not need to remember the old one.

Will changing my Microsoft password sign me out of everything?

No. Cloud services like Outlook and OneDrive stay signed in. Windows devices and Xbox may ask you to sign in again the next time they check for authentication, but you will not be forced out when ready. You can continue working and sign in with your new password when prompted.

Can I change my password if I do not have a phone number on my account?

Yes. When you go to account.microsoft.com and try to change your password, Microsoft will send a verification code to the email address on your account instead. If you have multiple email addresses listed, you can choose which one receives the code.

Is there a way to change my password without going to the website?

On Windows 10 and 11, you can change your password through Settings under "Accounts" > "Your info" > "Manage your Microsoft account password." This opens the Microsoft website in your browser, so you are still using account.microsoft.com — it just saves you a step of typing the URL.