The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac
On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" on the left side. Click "Change" and follow the prompts — you'll enter your current password, then type your new one twice. The whole process takes about two minutes.
On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions" or "Users & Groups." Select your account, click the lock icon to unlock it, then choose "Change Password." Enter your old password and your new one twice.
Both systems will ask you to create a password that's at least 8 characters long. Windows suggests mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Mac has similar recommendations but doesn't always require them. A stronger password is harder for someone else to guess, which matters if your computer is ever stolen or accessed by someone else in your home.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users find the password change option in Settings > Accounts > Password, while Mac users go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups.
- You will need to enter your current password before creating a new one, so make sure you remember what it is now.
- Passwords should be at least 8 characters and ideally mix letters, numbers, and symbols to prevent someone from guessing it.
- If you forget your password after changing it, you can reset it using a recovery email or phone number you set up beforehand.
- Changing your password does not affect your files, programs, or settings — it only changes how you log in.
What to do if you forget your current password
If you can't remember your current password, you cannot change it through the normal Settings route — the system will reject you at the first step. Instead, you'll need to reset it using a recovery method.
On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a security code sent to your recovery email or phone number. Once you verify, you can create a new password without knowing the old one. This process takes a few minutes and requires that you set up a recovery email or phone number before you forgot the password.
On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q at the login screen to open the password reset utility. You can reset using your Apple ID password, a recovery key you saved earlier, or answers to security questions you set up. If none of those are available, you may need to use macOS Recovery mode, which is more involved.
Why you should change your password regularly
Changing your password every few months reduces the window of time that a stolen or guessed password can be used to access your computer. If someone learns your password — through a data breach at a website you use, by watching you type, or by guessing a weak one — a regular change means they lose access sooner.
You should change your password when ready if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on a website that was hacked, or if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access. You should also change it if you let someone borrow your computer and you're not sure what they did while using it.
Changing your password does not erase your files or settings. It only changes the password you type to log in. Your documents, photos, programs, and everything else stay exactly as they were.
Creating a password you can actually remember
A strong password is useless if you write it on a sticky note under your keyboard. The goal is a password that's hard for someone else to guess but possible for you to remember.
One approach is to use a phrase you know well — like the name of your first pet, the street you grew up on, or a line from a song — and turn it into a password. Take the first letter of each word, add a number and a symbol, and you have something both strong and memorable. For example, "My dog Buddy ate pizza" becomes "MdBap2!" — 8 characters, mixed case, a number, and a symbol.
Another approach is to use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into Windows and Mac. These programs store your passwords in an encrypted vault that you unlock with one strong master password. You only have to remember one password, and the manager fills in the rest for you when you log into websites or programs.
Protecting your password after you change it
Once you've created a new password, treat it like you would a PIN or credit card number. Don't type it where someone can see your screen. Don't write it down unless you store the paper in a locked drawer. Don't use the same password on multiple websites or programs — if one gets hacked, all of them are at risk.
If you use a password manager, it handles this for you by generating a different strong password for each site and storing them all encrypted. You only have to remember the master password. This is more find than trying to remember multiple passwords or reusing the same one everywhere.
On both Windows and Mac, you can also set up biometric login — Windows Hello on Windows (using your face or fingerprint) or Face ID on Mac — so you don't have to type your password every time you log in. You still have a password as a backup, but you use your face or fingerprint most of the time.
What happens if you change your password and can't log in
Occasionally, after changing your password, you'll type it and the system will say it's wrong. This usually means you made a typo when you created it — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword."
If you're certain you typed it correctly, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes the system needs a moment to sync the change. If it still doesn't work, use the password reset method described earlier (the recovery email or phone number on Windows, or your Apple ID on Mac).
If you changed your password and then when ready tried to log into a website or program that stores your login information, that program might still be using your old password. You'll need to update the saved password in that program separately — it doesn't change automatically when you change your computer password.
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 page rather than through Settings. Others have rules about password length, complexity, or how often you must change it.
If you're unsure, contact your IT department or help desk before trying to change it yourself. They can tell you the correct process and whether there are any restrictions on your account. Changing your password the wrong way on a managed computer might lock you out or cause other problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my password delete my files or programs?
No. Changing your password only changes how you log in. All your files, photos, documents, programs, and settings remain exactly as they were. You can access everything the same way after you log in with your new password.
What if I change my password and forget it right away?
Use the password reset option on your login screen. On Windows, click "I forgot my password" and verify your identity using your recovery email or phone. On Mac, use Command + Q at the login screen or your Apple ID. Both methods let you create a new password without knowing the old one.
Can I change my password if I'm not the main account owner?
If you have a standard user account (not an administrator account), you can change your own password through Settings. If you're trying to change someone else's password, you need administrator access. On a shared computer, each person should change only their own password.
Should I use the same password on my computer and my email?
No. If someone guesses or steals your email password, they can reset passwords on many other accounts. Keep your email password separate and strong. Use a different password for your computer login as well. A password manager makes this easier by storing different passwords for each account.
How often should I change my password?
If you use a strong, unique password and no one else knows it, changing it every few months is reasonable. Change it sooner if you think someone knows it, if you reused it on a website that was hacked, or if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access. Regular changes are less critical than using a strong password in the first place.