The fastest way depends on which operating system you use

On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, select Accounts, then Password, and click Change. You will enter your current password, then type your new one twice. On a Mac running macOS, go to System Settings, select General, then Users & Groups (or Passwords & Accounts on newer versions), unlock the panel with your current password, and click Change Password. Both take about two minutes once you know where to look.

The steps are slightly different if you have forgotten your password entirely — that requires a recovery process rather than a straightforward change. This article covers changing a password you still remember. If you cannot log in, skip to the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings > Accounts > Password > Change and enter their current password before creating a new one.
  • Mac users open System Settings > General > Users & Groups (or Passwords & Accounts), unlock the panel, and click Change Password.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid birthdays and dictionary words.
  • Write your new password down in a physical notebook kept in a find place, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it.
  • If you use your Microsoft or Apple account to sign in, changing your password there also changes your computer password automatically.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Click the Start button in the lower left corner. Type "Settings" and press Enter. In the Settings window, select Accounts on the left side. Click Password. You will see a button that says "Change." Click it.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in and click Next. Now type your new password in the first box. Type it again in the second box to confirm you did not make a typo. Click Next, then Finish. Your password is now changed. The next time you log in, use the new password.

If you see a message saying "You can only change your password every X days," your computer is enforcing a waiting period. This is common on work computers. Wait the required number of days and try again.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner. Select System Settings. On newer Macs, look for Passwords & Accounts on the left sidebar and click it. On older Macs, click General, then Users & Groups. You may need to scroll down to find Users & Groups.

Look for your user account in the list and click it. You will see a lock icon near the bottom of the window. Click the lock and enter your current password when prompted. Once the lock opens, click the Change Password button. Type your current password once more, then type your new password twice. Click Change Password to finish.

Creating a password that is actually hard to guess

A strong password is at least 12 characters long. It should include uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. An example of a strong password is "BlueMoon#2847Desk" — it mixes all four types and is not a real phrase.

Avoid passwords based on your birthday, your child's name, your pet's name, or any word you can find in a dictionary. Hackers run automated tools that try millions of common passwords first. A password like "Fluffy2024!" looks strong but will be cracked in seconds because it follows a predictable pattern.

Do not reuse a password across multiple accounts. If one website gets hacked and your password is stolen, a criminal can try that same password on your email, your bank, and your computer. Each account should have its own unique password.

Storing your new password safely

Once you create a strong password, you need somewhere to write it down that is not your computer. The safest method is a password manager — a program that stores all your passwords in an encrypted vault. Bitwarden and 1Password are two popular options. You only have to remember one master password to unlock the vault, and the manager fills in passwords for you automatically.

If you prefer not to use a password manager, write your password in a physical notebook and keep it in a locked drawer at home. Never write it on a sticky note attached to your monitor or under your keyboard. Never email it to yourself or text it to anyone. Never store it in a document on your computer labeled "passwords.txt."

If you use a Microsoft account or Apple account to sign in to your computer, you can change the password through that account's website instead. Go to account.microsoft.com or appleid.apple.com, sign in, and change your password there. Your computer password will update automatically within a few hours.

What to do if you see an error message

If Windows says "The password does not meet the complexity requirements," your new password is not strong enough. Add more characters, include a symbol, or use both uppercase and lowercase letters. Try again with a longer password.

If Mac says "The password you entered is too short," make your new password at least 8 characters long. Some Macs require 8 characters; others require 12. Keep adding characters until the system accepts it.

If either system says "The old password is incorrect," you typed your current password wrong. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning "Password" and "password" are different. Try again, paying close attention to uppercase and lowercase letters.

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. Some organizations require you to change your password through a network login screen instead of through Settings. Others have a separate website where you change your password.

Ask your IT department or help desk for instructions. They may have a policy about how often you must change your password, what characters are allowed, and whether you can reuse old passwords. Follow their rules — they exist to protect the organization's network, and breaking them can result in your account being locked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I forgot my password and cannot log in?

On Windows, restart your computer and look for a "Reset password" link on the login screen. Click it and answer your security questions. On Mac, restart and hold Command + Q at the login screen to access account recovery options. Both systems can send a reset link to your email if you set that up when you created your account.

Can I change my password from my phone?

Not directly — you must be logged into your computer to change its password through Settings. However, if you use a Microsoft or Apple account, you can change that account's password from your phone by visiting account.microsoft.com or appleid.apple.com in a web browser. Your computer password will sync within a few hours.

How often should I change my password?

If you use a unique, strong password and no website storing it has been hacked, you do not need to change it regularly. Change it when ready if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was breached, or if your computer behaves strangely. Work and school computers may have their own policies requiring changes every 30 or 90 days.

Will changing my password log me out of everything?

Changing your Windows or Mac password does not log you out of websites or apps on that computer. You will stay signed into your email, social media, and other services. The next time you restart your computer or lock the screen, you will need to enter your new password to log back in.

What if my computer says I need administrator permission to change my password?

You are likely using a standard user account rather than an administrator account. Contact whoever set up your computer — usually a parent, employer, or IT department — and ask them to give you administrator rights or to change your password for you.