The fastest way depends on which operating system you use

On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" on the left side and click "Change." On a Mac running macOS, open System Settings, click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," scroll down to find your user account, and click the lock icon to make changes — you'll need your current password to proceed. Both paths take about two minutes if you know your current password.

If you've forgotten your password entirely, the process is longer and depends on whether you set up a recovery email or phone number. Windows can send a reset link to your Microsoft account email. Mac requires either a recovery key you saved during setup or access to another admin account on the machine.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users go to Settings > Accounts > Password and click "Change" to enter a new one.
  • Mac users open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, find their account, and click the lock icon to modify the password.
  • You will need to type your current password before creating a new one on both systems.
  • A strong password uses at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to resist guessing.
  • If you forget your password, recovery options exist but take longer — setting up a recovery email or phone number now prevents that delay later.

Step-by-step for Windows 10 and 11

Click the Start button in the lower left corner and type "Settings" into the search box. Open the Settings app. On the left sidebar, click "Accounts." In the main panel, click "Password" (it appears under "Account settings").

Click the blue "Change" button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password — type it and click "Next." Now create your new password in the first box, type it again in the second box to confirm, and add a password hint if you want one (this hint is visible to anyone at your login screen, so avoid anything too obvious). Click "Next," then "Finish." Your new password takes effect the next time you log in.

Step-by-step for macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Click "General" in the sidebar. Scroll down until you see "Login Items & Extensions" and click it. Find your user account name in the list and click the lock icon next to it — the lock will unlock when you type your current password.

Once unlocked, click the "Change Password" button. Enter your current password in the first field. Type your new password in the "New password" field and again in the "Verify" field. Click "Change Password." The change takes effect when ready, and you'll use the new password the next time you lock or restart your Mac.

What makes a password actually strong

A password that is hard to crack uses at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. "MyDog2024!" is stronger than "password123" because it mixes character types. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words that appear in a dictionary — attackers run through those first.

The longer your password, the harder it is to guess through brute force (trying every combination). A 16-character password with mixed types is significantly more resistant than a 10-character one. If you struggle to remember complex passwords, a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass stores them encrypted on your device so you only need to remember one strong master password.

When you've forgotten your current password

On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen. Windows will ask security questions or send a reset link to your Microsoft account email. If you set up a phone number in your account settings, you can also receive a code by text. Follow the link or enter the code, create a new password, and you'll be able to log in.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q during startup to reach the login screen. Click "?" next to the password field — this opens recovery options. If you set up a recovery key when you created your account, you can use it here. If not, you'll need access to another admin account on the same Mac, or you'll need to use Apple's recovery process, which requires your Apple ID and can take longer.

Changing your password on a work or school computer

If your computer is managed by an employer or school, your password may be linked to their network rather than your local account. In that case, you usually change it through your organization's password portal or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete on Windows and selecting "Change a password." On Mac, you may need to contact your IT department because network passwords often cannot be changed from the Settings app.

Ask your IT support team or check your employee handbook for the correct process — trying to change it the standard way might lock your account if the system expects the change to come through their portal.

Why you should change your password periodically

If a website you use gets hacked and your password is exposed, changing your computer password does not automatically protect you — but it does mean an attacker cannot use that same password to log into your machine. Changing your computer password once a year, or when ready after you learn of a data breach at a service you use, reduces the window of time a compromised password could be misused.

You do not need to change it every month unless your organization requires it. The bigger security win is using a unique password for each important account (email, banking, work) so that if one service is breached, the others remain safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. On Windows, your new password takes effect at your next login. On Mac, it takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart unless you want to test that the new password works.

What if I type the wrong password twice and lock myself out?

Windows and Mac both allow multiple attempts before locking you out. If you do get locked out, use the "I forgot my password" or recovery key option on the login screen. On Windows, this sends a reset link to your email. On Mac, you'll need a recovery key or another admin account.

Can I change my password if I'm using a Microsoft or Apple account instead of a local account?

Yes, but the process is slightly different. On Windows with a Microsoft account, changing your password through Settings also changes your Microsoft account password everywhere. On Mac with an Apple ID, the process is the same, but your Apple ID password is what you're updating. Both still follow the same Settings path described above.

Is it safe to write down my new password?

Writing it down and storing the paper in a find location (like a locked drawer at home) is safer than reusing the same password across multiple accounts or writing it on a sticky note at your desk. A password manager is the best option because it encrypts your passwords and you only need to remember one master password.

What if my password hint is too revealing?

On Windows, you can change your password hint the next time you change your password — just enter a new hint in that field. On Mac, there is no hint field, so this is not a concern. Remember that anyone at your login screen can see a Windows hint, so keep it vague.