Change your password through your operating system settings

The fastest way to change your password is through the settings built into Windows, macOS, or Linux — whichever system your computer runs. You do not need any special software or administrator help. The steps differ slightly depending on your operating system, but the process takes about five minutes from start to finish.

Your computer stores your password locally, meaning the change happens on your machine first. If you use cloud services like OneDrive, iCloud, or Google Drive, those accounts have separate passwords that you change in a web browser, not on your computer itself. This article covers changing your computer login password only.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, select Accounts, then Password, and click "Change" to enter your old password and create a new one.
  • macOS users go to System Settings, select Password, and use the lock icon to authenticate before setting a new password.
  • You will need to know your current password before you can change it — if you have forgotten it, you must use your recovery options instead.
  • After you change your password, you will be asked to sign in again the next time you restart your computer or lock your screen.
  • Changing your computer password does not change passwords for email, social media, banking, or other online accounts — those require separate updates.

Steps for Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once Settings opens, select "Accounts" from the left sidebar. On the Accounts page, click "Password" — you will see a blue button labeled "Change."

Click the Change button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm your identity. Type it in and click "Next." You will then see two fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields — make sure they match exactly, including capital letters and numbers. Click "Next," then "Finish." Windows will confirm the change and ask you to sign in again the next time you lock or restart your computer.

Steps for macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." In System Settings, click "General" in the sidebar, then scroll down and click "Password." You will see a lock icon in the bottom-right corner of the window — click it and enter your current password when prompted.

Once the lock opens, click the "Change Password" button. macOS will ask you to enter your current password first, then your new password twice. Type carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning "Password" and "password" are different. Click "Change Password" to save. The next time you log out or restart, you will sign in with your new password.

Steps for Linux (Ubuntu and similar distributions)

Open a terminal window — you can usually find this by clicking the Activities menu or pressing Ctrl+Alt+T. In the terminal, type the command passwd and press Enter. Linux will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it and press Enter.

You will then be prompted to enter your new password. Type it carefully — the terminal does not show what you type for security reasons. Press Enter, then type the new password again to confirm it. If the passwords match, Linux will confirm the change. You will use the new password the next time you log in.

What to do if you have forgotten your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the standard change process because the system requires you to prove you know the old one first. Instead, you will need to use your recovery options. On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen and follow the recovery steps — these usually involve answering security questions or using a recovery email address you set up earlier.

On macOS, restart your computer and hold Command+Q at the login screen to access recovery mode. You can then reset your password using your Apple ID or a recovery key. On Linux, you may need to boot into recovery mode or use a live USB to reset your password — the exact steps depend on your Linux distribution. If you are unsure, search for "[your Linux distribution name] password reset" plus your version number.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your computer password periodically reduces the window of time a stolen password can be used to access your machine. If someone has your old password from a data breach at another company, a regular change means they cannot use it forever. Many workplaces require password changes every 60 or 90 days for this reason.

For personal computers at home, changing your password once or twice a year is reasonable if you have not had a security incident. If you suspect someone has accessed your account, or if you have reused this password on other websites and one of those sites was breached, change it when ready. A strong password — one with uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols — is harder to guess or crack than a straightforward one, so use that opportunity to make your new password stronger than the old.

The difference between your computer password and your online account passwords

Your computer password controls who can log into your machine. Your email password, banking password, social media password, and other online account passwords are separate and stored on those companies' servers, not on your computer. Changing your computer password does not change any of those.

If you use the same password for your computer and your email account, changing one does not change the other — you have to update each one separately. This is actually a good reason to use different passwords for different accounts. If someone learns your computer password, they cannot automatically access your email or bank account. If you want to change all your passwords at once, you will need to go through each service individually — your email provider's website, your bank's website, and so on.

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, programs, documents, and settings remain exactly as they are. The only thing that changes is the password you type at the login screen.

What happens if I forget my new password right after changing it?

You will need to use your recovery options — the same process as if you had forgotten any password. On Windows, use the "I forgot my password" link on the login screen. On macOS, use recovery mode and your Apple ID. On Linux, boot into recovery mode. Write down your new password somewhere safe if you are worried about forgetting it.

Can I change my password if I am not the computer's administrator?

Yes. You can change your own user account password without administrator rights. However, if you are trying to change someone else's password or reset a forgotten administrator password, you will need administrator access or recovery credentials.

Do I need to change my password if I just got a new computer?

If you transferred your user account from an old computer to a new one, your password transferred with it. You can change it on the new computer using the same steps. If you set up a brand-new account on the new computer, you chose a password during setup — you can change that password anytime using these steps.

What if my computer asks for a PIN instead of a password?

Windows allows you to use a PIN (a short number) instead of a password. If you want to use a password instead, go to Settings > Accounts > Password and click "Add" to create a password alongside your PIN. You can then choose which one to use at login.