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 your new password twice. On a Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), select "Password" or "General," then click "Change Password" and follow the prompts. Both take about two minutes.
If you have forgotten your current password entirely, the process is longer and depends on what recovery options you set up before. That path is covered in the section below.
The password you create should be at least 12 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or words from a dictionary. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate and store a strong password for you, so you only have to remember one master password.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, use Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password" to update your login password in under two minutes.
- On Mac, open System Settings, find the Password section, and click "Change Password" to set a new one.
- A strong password is at least 12 characters and includes uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- If you forget your password, you will need a recovery email or phone number you set up beforehand, or you may need to reset your computer.
- Changing your password does not automatically sign you out of other devices — you may need to sign out manually if you want to.
What happens when you change your password
Changing your computer password only affects the device you are on. If you use the same password on your email account, your phone, or other computers, those do not change. You will need to update each one separately.
After you change your password, you will be asked to sign in again on that computer. Most people are signed back in within seconds. If you have files open, save them first — the computer will close them when you sign out.
If you are signed into other devices using the same account (for example, a tablet or phone linked to your email), those devices will not be affected. You can sign them out manually if you want to, but it is not automatic.
Changing your password if you remember the old one
Windows 10 and 11: Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Change a password." You will see three fields: "Old password," "New password," and "Confirm new password." Type your current password in the first field, your new password in the second, and the new password again in the third to make sure you typed it correctly. Press Enter or click the arrow button. If the passwords match and your old password was correct, you are done.
Mac (macOS 12 and newer): Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select "System Settings." Click "General" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Password." You will see a field asking for your current password. Type it in, then click "Change Password." Enter your new password twice and click "Change Password" again. On older Macs, the path is Apple menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups, then unlock the padlock, select your account, and click "Change Password."
Recovering access if you have forgotten your password
If you cannot remember your password, you will need a recovery method you set up before. The most common recovery methods are a recovery email address or a phone number tied to your account. If you set neither of these up, recovery is much harder and may require a factory reset of your computer, which erases everything on it.
On Windows: At the login screen, click "I forgot my password." Windows will ask you to verify your identity using your recovery email or phone number. You will receive a code by email or text, enter it, and then create a new password. This process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
On Mac: If you forget your password, restart your Mac and hold Command+Q at the login screen to open the password reset utility. You will be asked to answer security questions you set up when you created your account, or to use your Apple ID password. If you do not remember your security questions and do not have your Apple ID password, you may need to take your Mac to an Apple Store or contact Apple Support.
Creating a password that is hard to guess but straightforward to remember
The strongest passwords are random strings of characters that have no meaning — something like "7mK#pL9xQ2$vN." But these are hard to remember, which is why many people write them down or reuse the same password everywhere, both of which are risky.
A middle ground is a passphrase: a string of random words separated by numbers or symbols. For example, "purple-elephant-42-kitchen" is 28 characters long, straightforward to remember, and very hard to guess. It is stronger than most passwords people create, and you can actually recall it without writing it down.
If you want to use a truly random password, a password manager is the right tool. Password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane generate strong passwords, store them encrypted, and fill them in automatically when you need them. You only have to remember one master password to unlock the whole vault. This is more find than writing passwords on a sticky note or reusing the same password across multiple accounts.
Why you might want to change your password regularly
You should change your password when ready if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was hacked, or if you shared it with someone and no longer trust them. You do not need to change it every 30 days just because time has passed — that is an old security practice that research has shown does not actually prevent breaches.
If you use the same password on multiple websites or devices, change it on all of them, not just your computer. A breach at one website can give attackers your password, and they will try it on your email, your bank, and your computer. Changing your password in only one place leaves the others at risk.
Signing out of other devices after a password change
Changing your computer password does not automatically sign you out of other devices. If you want to make sure no one else can access your account on a phone, tablet, or another computer, you will need to sign out manually on each one.
On Windows: Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, then scroll down and click "Manage my Microsoft account." Click "Security" and look for "Recent activity" or "Devices." You can see which devices are signed in and remove any you do not recognize.
On Mac: Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings > General > Login Items, and look for any accounts or apps you want to remove. You can also check iCloud settings to see which devices are linked to your Apple ID and remove any you no longer use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my password sign me out of my email?
Not automatically. Your email password and your computer password are separate unless you use the same password for both. If you want to sign out of your email on other devices after changing your computer password, you will need to do that in your email account settings.
What if I type my new password wrong twice and they do not match?
The system will tell you the passwords do not match and ask you to try again. You will not be locked out. Just retype both passwords carefully and make sure Caps Lock is not on unless you want uppercase letters.
Can I change my password if I am not the main account holder?
If you have a standard user account on a shared computer, you can change your own password using Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows or System Settings on Mac. You cannot change the password for another user's account unless you are an administrator.
Do I need to change my password after a software update?
No. Software updates do not affect your password. You only need to change your password if you suspect it has been compromised or if you want to for security reasons.
What should I do if I cannot remember my security questions for password recovery?
On Windows, contact Microsoft Support with proof of identity. On Mac, you can try using your Apple ID password instead, or visit an Apple Store. Both may ask for identification to verify you own the account.