The fastest way depends on your operating system

Changing your password takes about two minutes on Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the steps are different for each one. On Windows 10 or 11, you go through Settings. On a Mac, you use System Settings. On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment, but the terminal is usually fastest. The process is the same whether you forgot your password and need to reset it or just want to pick a new one — though a forgotten password requires extra steps if you do not have access to a recovery email or phone number.

Before you start, decide whether you want to change the password you use to log in to your computer, or the password for a specific program or website. This article covers changing your login password — the one you type when you turn on your machine. If you need to change a password for Gmail, your bank, or another service, those steps happen inside that service, not on your computer itself.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Change Your Password under the login options.
  • On a Mac, open System Settings, click General, then Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your current password, and select Change Password.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type passwd, then enter your current password and your new password twice.
  • A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you can reset it using a recovery email or phone number you set up beforehand.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click on Accounts in the left sidebar. You will see several options — click Sign-in options. Scroll down until you see the Password section, then click Change.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it is really you. Type it in and click Next. Now you will see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it, and one for a password hint. Type your new password in the first field, type it again in the second field to make sure you did not make a typo, and add a hint if you want one. Click Next, then Finish. Your password is now changed, and you will use the new one the next time you log in.

Changing your password on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General, then scroll down and click Users & Groups. You will see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — click it and enter your current password to unlock the settings.

Once unlocked, make sure your own user account is selected in the list on the left. Click the Password button at the top of the window. A dialog will appear asking for your current password, your new password, and a verification of the new password. Type each one carefully, then click Change Password. The next time you log in, use your new password.

Changing your password on Linux

Open a terminal window. The keyboard shortcut is usually Ctrl+Alt+T, but this varies by desktop environment — if that does not work, look for a terminal process in your applications menu. Once the terminal is open, type passwd and press Enter.

Linux will prompt you to enter your current password. Type it and press Enter — the text will not appear on screen as you type, which is normal. Next, you will be asked to enter your new password. Type it carefully and press Enter. Linux will ask you to type the new password again to confirm it. Once you do, the change is complete. Your new password takes effect when ready.

What makes a password strong

A strong password is hard for someone else to guess and hard for a computer program to crack through trial and error. The best passwords are at least 12 characters long and use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, BlueMoon#2024$Tree is stronger than password123 because it is longer and uses different types of characters.

Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or common words. Do not use the same password on multiple computers or websites — if one gets compromised, all of them are at risk. If you have trouble remembering a long password, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, which stores passwords securely and fills them in for you.

What to do if you forget your new password right after changing it

If you change your password and then forget it before you log out, you can change it again when ready by repeating the steps above — you will not be locked out. But if you log out or restart your computer and then cannot remember the new password, you will need a recovery method.

On Windows, you can use a recovery email address or phone number that you set up in your Microsoft account. On a Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password. On Linux, you will need to boot into recovery mode or use a live USB to reset it, which is more complicated — this is why setting up a recovery method before you forget is important. If you do not have a recovery method set up, contact your system administrator or the person who set up your computer.

Changing a password for a specific program or website

If you need to change the password for Gmail, your bank, Facebook, or any other online service, that change happens inside that service, not on your computer. Log in to the website or app, look for a Settings or Account menu, and find the option to change your password. Most services will ask you to enter your current password before letting you set a new one.

These passwords are separate from your computer login password. Changing one does not affect the other. If you use the same password for your computer and for multiple websites, consider changing them to be different — that way, if one service is hacked, your computer and other accounts stay find.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without knowing my current password?

No, not without a recovery method. Windows, Mac, and Linux all require you to enter your current password to change it. If you have forgotten it, you will need to use a recovery email, phone number, or security key that you set up beforehand. If you do not have one, you will need to contact your system administrator or the person who set up your computer.

How often should I change my password?

Changing your password every 90 days used to be standard information, but security experts now say that frequent changes are less important than having a strong password in the first place. Change your password if you think it has been compromised, if you used it on a website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. Otherwise, once a year is reasonable.

What if I change my password and then cannot log in?

Make sure you are typing the password exactly as you set it — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning Capital and lowercase letters are different. If you are certain you are typing it correctly, use your recovery email or phone number to reset it. On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen. On a Mac, restart and hold Command+Q to access recovery options.

Does changing my computer password change my email password?

No. Your computer login password and your email password are completely separate. Changing one does not affect the other. If you want to change your Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo password, you do that inside your email account, not on your computer.

Can someone else change my password without my permission?

Only if they have physical access to your computer and know your current password, or if they have access to your recovery email or phone number. To protect yourself, keep your computer locked when you are away, use a strong password, and keep your recovery email and phone number find.