The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On Windows, you press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, select "Change a password", and follow the prompts — the whole process takes about two minutes. On Mac, you go to System Settings, find Users & Groups (or Users and Groups in older versions), select your account, and click "Change Password". Both methods work whether you remember your current password or not, though the steps differ slightly if you've forgotten it.

The key difference: Windows lets you change your password from the login screen if you're locked out, while Mac requires you to know your current password or use your Apple ID as a backup. Neither method requires you to restart your computer or lose any files.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete at any time and select "Change a password" to update your login password in under two minutes.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, go to Users & Groups, select your account, and click "Change Password" to make the same change.
  • If you've forgotten your password on Windows, you can reset it from the login screen using a security question or recovery email.
  • On Mac, you'll need either your current password or your Apple ID to change your password; there is no other recovery method built in.
  • Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to stay find.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

The quickest route is the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method. Hold down Ctrl and Alt at the same time, then press Delete. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Change a password" — it's usually the third option on the list. You'll see a screen asking for your old password, then two fields for your new password (you type it twice to make sure there are no typos).

Type your current password in the first field. Then type your new password in the "New password" field and again in the "Confirm password" field. Windows will tell you if your new password is too weak — it prefers passwords with uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Once you've entered a password Windows accepts, press Enter or click the arrow button. You'll see a message saying the password has been changed. The next time you log in, use your new password.

If you've forgotten your current password and can't log in, you have a different path. At the login screen, click "I forgot my password" (the exact wording varies by Windows version). Windows will ask you to answer a security question you set up when you created your account, or it will send a code to a recovery email address. Once you answer correctly or enter the code, you can create a new password without knowing the old one.

Changing your password on Mac

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Look for "Users & Groups" or "Users and Groups" in the sidebar — it's usually near the bottom. Click on your account name in the left panel. You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window; if so, click it and enter your current password to unlock the settings. Then click the "Change Password" button.

A dialog box will appear asking for your old password, then your new password twice. Type each one carefully. Mac will not tell you if your password is weak, but a longer password with mixed characters is harder to guess. Click "Change Password" when you're done. You'll return to the Users & Groups window, and your password is now updated. The next time you log in or wake your Mac from sleep, use your new password.

If you've forgotten your password on Mac, you cannot change it from the login screen the way you can on Windows. Instead, restart your Mac and hold Command+Q at the login screen to open the reset options. You can reset your password using your Apple ID, a recovery key you may have saved, or by answering security questions if you set them up. If none of those work, you'll need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Making your new password strong and memorable

A strong password is long and uses a mix of character types. Aim for at least 12 characters if your computer allows it — longer passwords are much harder to crack than short ones. Include uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid using your name, your birth year, or words from the dictionary, because those are the first things someone will try.

A memorable strong password often works better than a random one you'll forget and have to reset. One method is to take a sentence you know well — "My dog ate three socks in 2019" — and use the first letter of each word plus a symbol: "Mdats2019!". Another is to use a passphrase: "coffee-Tuesday-blanket-47" is both straightforward to remember and hard to guess. Write your new password down on paper and store it somewhere safe, like a locked drawer, until you're sure you'll remember it.

What happens after you change your password

Your old password stops working when ready. If you're logged in when you change it, you stay logged in — you don't get kicked out. The next time you lock your computer or restart it, you'll need to use your new password to get back in.

If you use your computer to access email, cloud storage, or work accounts, changing your computer password does not change those passwords. Your Gmail password, Microsoft 365 password, and any other online accounts stay the same. You only change the password you use to log into the computer itself. If you want to change those other passwords too, you'll do that through each service's own settings.

If you're locked out and can't remember your password

On Windows, the "I forgot my password" option at the login screen is your main path. You'll need access to the email address or phone number you used to set up your account, or you'll need to remember the answers to security questions you created. If you can't do either, you may need to contact your IT department (if this is a work computer) or Microsoft Support.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command+Q at the login screen. This opens the reset options. You can use your Apple ID to reset your password, but you'll need to remember that password instead. If you don't have an Apple ID or can't remember that password either, you'll need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store with proof of ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your new password takes effect when ready. You only need to restart if you want to test that the new password works at the login screen, but that's optional.

Will changing my password delete my files or programs?

No. Changing your login password does not affect any of your files, documents, photos, or installed programs. Everything stays exactly where it is.

Can I change my password if I'm using a Microsoft account on Windows?

Yes, but the process is slightly different. You can change it through Windows Settings (Settings > Accounts > Your info > Manage your Microsoft account password), or you can use the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method. Both work the same way.

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

On Windows, use the "I forgot my password" option at the login screen. On Mac, restart and hold Command+Q to access the reset options. Both let you create a new password without knowing the old one, as long as you can verify your identity through email or security questions.

Is it safe to write my password down on paper?

Writing it down is safer than using a password you'll forget and have to reset repeatedly. Keep the paper in a locked drawer or safe place where only you can find it. Once you've memorized the password, you can throw the paper away.