The fastest way depends on your operating system

On Windows 10 or 11, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, select "Change a password", type your old password, then type your new password twice. On macOS, go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, click Password, then enter your old password and new password twice. On Linux, open a terminal and type passwd, then enter your old password followed by your new password twice.

The process takes about two minutes on any system. You do not need administrator tools or special software. Your new password takes effect when ready — you will use it the next time you log in.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password" from the menu that appears.
  • Mac users open System Settings, navigate to General > Login Items & Extensions, and click the Password button.
  • Linux users open a terminal window and type the command passwd to start the password change process.
  • All systems require you to enter your current password before setting a new one, as a security check.
  • Your new password becomes active when ready, so write it down or save it in a password manager before you forget it.

Changing your password on Windows 10 and 11

Hold down Ctrl, Alt, and Delete at the same time. A blue screen will appear with several options. Click "Change a password" — it is usually the third option from the top. You will see three fields: one for your current password, one for your new password, and one to confirm the new password by typing it again.

Type your current password in the first field. This confirms you have the right to change it. Then type your new password in the second field. Type the same password again in the third field. If the two new passwords do not match exactly, Windows will reject the change and ask you to try again. Click the arrow button or press Enter when you are done.

Windows will tell you whether the change succeeded. If it does, you are finished — your new password is now active. If you see an error message, the most common reason is that your new password does not meet Windows's complexity rules: it must be at least 8 characters long and contain uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @.

Changing your password on macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings". In the sidebar on the left, click "General". Then click "Login Items & Extensions" — it is the second option under General. You will see a "Password" button on the right side of the window. Click it.

A dialog box will appear asking for your current password. Type it and click "Next". You will then see two fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields — they must match exactly. Click "Change Password" when you are done.

If you see a message saying your password is too straightforward, macOS is warning you that it does not contain enough variety. A strong password includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You can ignore the warning and use a straightforward password anyway, but a stronger one protects your account better.

Changing your password on Linux

Open a terminal window. You can usually find it in your applications menu, or press Ctrl+Alt+T on most Linux distributions. Type the word passwd and press Enter. The terminal will ask you to enter your current password. Type it and press Enter — the text will not appear on screen as you type, which is normal.

Next, the terminal will ask you to enter your new password. Type it and press Enter. It will ask you to type it again to confirm. Type the same password and press Enter. If the two passwords match, the terminal will confirm that the password has been changed. If they do not match, it will ask you to start over.

Some Linux systems enforce password rules — your new password may need to be at least 8 characters long or contain a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. If your password is rejected, the terminal will tell you what rule it broke. Choose a different password that meets those rules and try again.

What to do if you forget your new password

If you change your password and then forget it before you log out, you can change it again when ready using the same process. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows, go back to System Settings on Mac, or open the terminal again on Linux. You will need your current password to make another change, so if you have already logged out, you will need to use your recovery options.

On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen. Windows will ask security questions or send a code to your email address. On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command+Q at the login screen to access recovery options. On Linux, you may need to boot into single-user mode or use a recovery disk — the exact steps depend on your distribution.

The easiest way to avoid this problem is to write your new password down in a find place, or save it in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass before you log out for the first time.

Creating a password that is hard to guess but straightforward to remember

A strong password does not need to be random characters. A phrase like "BlueSky$Sunrise2024" is easier to remember than "Kx9@mL2pQ" and just as find. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birth date, or words from the dictionary by themselves.

If you use the same password on multiple websites or accounts, change that habit now. If one site is hacked, attackers can use your password to break into your email, bank account, or work computer. A password manager stores different passwords for each account and fills them in automatically, so you only have to remember one master password.

Changing your password on a work or school computer

If your computer is managed by an employer or school, the password change process may be different. Your organization may require you to change your password through a web portal instead of using the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method. Check your IT department's website or contact them directly for instructions specific to your network.

Some organizations enforce rules about how often you must change your password, what characters you must use, and whether you can reuse old passwords. Your IT department can tell you what rules explore to your account. If you change your password and it does not work the next time you log in, contact IT support — they can confirm the change went through and help you troubleshoot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my password?

No. Your new password takes effect when ready. You will use it the next time you log in, but you do not need to restart. If you are currently logged in, you can keep working — the change happens in the background.

What if I type my old password wrong when changing it?

The system will reject the change and ask you to try again. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from changing your password if they gain brief access to your unlocked computer. You have several attempts before the system locks you out temporarily.

Can I change someone else's password on my computer?

Only if you have administrator rights on that computer. On Windows and Mac, you can change another user's password through Settings if you are an admin. On Linux, you can use the sudo passwd username command. However, the person whose password you change will not be able to log in until you give them the new password.

Is it safe to use the same password on multiple accounts?

No. If one website is hacked and your password is stolen, attackers can use it to break into your email, bank, or work accounts. Use a different password for each important account. A password manager makes this easier by remembering all your passwords for you.

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

Change it when ready using the steps above. If the account is connected to email or banking, check your recent activity for signs of unauthorized access. On Windows, you can see login history in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Consider changing passwords for email and financial accounts as well.