The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On Windows 10 or 11, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select "Change a password" from the menu that appears. Type your current password, then enter your new password twice. On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," find "Password" in the sidebar, and click "Change Password." Both take about two minutes.

If you have forgotten your current password entirely, the process is different — you will need to use a recovery method instead of changing it directly. That section appears below.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select "Change a password" to update their login password in seconds.
  • Mac users open System Settings, navigate to the General section, and select "Change Password" from the sidebar.
  • You will need to type your current password correctly before you can set a new one.
  • A strong password contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.
  • If you have forgotten your password, you cannot use the change method — you must use account recovery instead.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard at the same time. A blue screen will appear with several options. Click "Change a password" — it is usually the second or third option on the list. Do not click "Sign out" or "Lock" by mistake.

A dialog box will open asking for your current password first. Type it exactly as you normally would when signing in — capitalization matters. Then click the field below it and type your new password. Type it again in the third field to confirm you did not make a typo. Click the arrow button or press Enter to save the change. You will see a message saying the password has been changed. The next time you sign in, use the new password.

If you see an error message saying "The password does not meet the complexity requirements," your new password is too straightforward. Windows requires passwords to contain at least three of these four things: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @. A password like "Blue$Sky42" will work, but "password" will not.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older ones). In the sidebar on the left, look for "General" and click it. Then look for "Login Items & Extensions" or "Users & Groups" depending on your Mac's age.

In the main panel, find "Password" in the list and click it. You will be asked to type your current password to confirm your identity. After you do, two new fields will appear: one for your new password and one to type it again. Make sure both match exactly, then click "Change Password." Your Mac will confirm the change when ready.

If you do not see a "Password" option, your Mac may be using a different setup. Look for "Users & Groups" instead, click the lock icon at the bottom left to unlock it (you will need your current password), then right-click your account name and select "Change Password."

What makes a strong password you will actually remember

A strong password is long — at least 12 characters — and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "Tr0pic@lSunset" is stronger than "Tropical" even though it is only slightly longer, because it uses different character types. Avoid passwords based on your name, birth date, or common words like "password" or "welcome."

The best passwords are ones you can remember without writing them down, but that are not obvious to someone who knows you. A phrase works well: take the first letter of each word in a sentence you will remember, then swap some letters for numbers or symbols. "My dog ate 3 socks in July" becomes "Mda3siJ" — not a dictionary word, but something you can recall.

Do not reuse passwords across different accounts. If one website is hacked, a criminal who gets your password there can try it on your email, bank, and computer. Your computer password especially should be unique, because it protects everything else on your device.

If you have forgotten your current password

You cannot use the change password method if you do not remember your current password — you will be stuck at the first step. Instead, you need to use your account recovery options. On Windows, restart your computer and look for "I forgot my password" on the sign-in screen. On Mac, restart and hold Command + Q at the login screen to access account recovery.

Both systems will ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account, or to enter a recovery code if you saved one. If you set up a recovery email address, you can also use that. The process takes longer than a straightforward password change — usually 15 to 30 minutes — because the system needs to verify you are the real account owner.

If you cannot answer your security questions and do not have access to your recovery email, you may need to reset your computer to factory settings. This erases everything on it, so it should be your last option. Contact Microsoft Support (for Windows) or Apple Support (for Mac) before you do this — they can sometimes help you recover access without erasing your files.

What to do after you change your password

After you change your computer password, you do not need to do anything else when ready. The next time you sign in — whether that is after a restart, after locking your screen, or after your computer wakes from sleep — use your new password instead of the old one. Write it down somewhere safe if you think you might forget it, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it securely.

If other people share your computer, they will need to change their own passwords separately using the same method. Changing your password does not affect their accounts. If you want to prevent someone else from accessing your account, changing the password is the right move — they will not be able to sign in as you anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The change takes effect when ready. You can keep working, and the new password will be required the next time you sign out or lock your screen. You do not need to restart unless you want to.

What if I type the new password wrong the second time?

The system will show an error because the two passwords do not match. Go back and type both passwords again, more slowly. Make sure Caps Lock is not on by accident, and that you are using the same special characters in both fields.

Can I change my password if I am not the main account owner?

Yes, if you are signed into your own account, you can change your own password using these steps. You cannot change someone else's password unless you have their current password and they let you use their account. If you are an administrator, you can reset other accounts, but that is a different process.

Will changing my password log me out of my email or other programs?

No. Your computer password and your email password are separate. Changing your computer password does not affect any online accounts. You will stay signed into email, social media, and other programs unless you manually sign out.

Is there a way to see my password after I change it?

No, and that is intentional — for security. Neither Windows nor Mac shows you your password after you set it. If you forget it, you will need to use the recovery process. Write down your new password somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store it.