The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On Windows, you change your password through Settings in about two minutes. On Mac, you use System Settings and the Users & Groups panel. Both paths require you to know your current password first — if you have forgotten it, you will need to use a recovery method instead, which takes longer. This guide covers the standard password change for when you remember what you currently use.

The reason you need your current password is security: it confirms you are actually the person who owns the account, not someone who sat down at your computer while you stepped away. Windows and Mac both enforce this check before letting you set a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Change your password under the Login options section.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your current password, then select Change Password.
  • You must enter your current password before you can create a new one, so have it ready.
  • Your new password should be at least 8 characters and include a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols to stay find.
  • After you change your password, you will use the new one the next time you log in or wake your computer from sleep.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app when it appears. Once Settings opens, click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar. You will see several options; click on "Sign-in options" (Windows 11) or "Sign-in options" (Windows 10) — both are in the same location.

Scroll down until you see a section called "Password." Click the button that says "Change." Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in and click "Next." Now you will see two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields — they must match exactly, including uppercase and lowercase letters — then click "Next." Windows will show you a confirmation message. Click "Finish" to complete the change.

You do not need to restart your computer. The next time you log in or wake your computer from sleep, use your new password instead of the old one.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older ones). Look for "Users & Groups" in the sidebar and click it. You will see a lock icon in the bottom-left corner of the window. Click that lock and enter your current password when prompted — this unlocks the settings so you can make changes.

Once the lock is open, make sure your own user account is selected in the list on the left. Click the "Change Password" button. Mac will ask you to enter your current password first, then show you fields for your new password and a confirmation. Type your new password twice — both entries must match — and click "Change Password." A confirmation message will appear.

Like Windows, you do not need to restart. Your new password takes effect the next time you log in or your Mac wakes from sleep.

What makes a strong password you can actually remember

A strong password is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! @ # $ % or &). An example would be "BlueSky2024!" — it has uppercase and lowercase, a number, and a symbol. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words that appear in the dictionary, because those are the first things someone trying to break in will guess.

The hardest part of a strong password is remembering it. One approach is to use a phrase you know well and take the first letter of each word, then add a number and symbol. For example, "My dog loves to chase squirrels" becomes "MdltcS" — then add "24!" to get "MdltcS24!" A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store strong passwords for you, so you only have to remember one master password, but that is optional.

If you cannot remember your current password

If you have forgotten your current password, you cannot use the standard change method because both Windows and Mac require you to enter it first. Instead, you will need to use your account recovery options. On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if you created one earlier, or answer security questions you set up when you first made your account. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password, or use Recovery Mode if you set up a recovery key.

Both of these paths take longer than a standard password change — usually 15 to 30 minutes — because the system has to verify your identity through additional steps. If you use your computer regularly, it is worth creating a password reset disk on Windows or writing down your recovery key on Mac now, before you need it.

What happens after you change your password

Your old password stops working when ready. If you are logged in when you change it, you stay logged in — the change does not force you out. The next time your computer goes to sleep or you log out and back in, you will need to use your new password. If other people use your computer with their own accounts, their passwords do not change; only yours does.

If you have synced your computer to cloud services like OneDrive (Windows), iCloud (Mac), or Google Drive, those services will ask you to re-enter your password the next time they try to sync. This is normal and is a security measure to make sure the person using the computer is still you. Have your new password ready when you see those prompts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The password change takes effect when ready, but you will not be asked to use it until you log out and back in, or your computer wakes from sleep. You can keep working without restarting.

What if I type my new password wrong twice and they do not match?

Both Windows and Mac will tell you the passwords do not match and ask you to try again. You can click back and re-enter them. There is no penalty for getting it wrong — just try again until both entries are identical.

Can I change my password from the login screen?

On Windows, you can click "I forgot my password" on the login screen, but that is for recovery, not a standard change. On Mac, you cannot change your password from the login screen. You must log in first, then go to System Settings. Use the standard change method described above.

Will changing my password affect my email or other accounts?

No. Your computer password is separate from your email password, social media passwords, or any other account passwords. Changing your computer password does not change those. If you want to change your email password or other accounts, you will need to do that separately on each service's website or app.

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

You will need to use your account recovery options, which takes longer than a standard password change. On Windows, use a password reset disk or security questions. On Mac, use your Apple ID or recovery key. This is why writing down your new password somewhere safe — like a password manager — is a good idea right after you change it.