The fastest way depends on your operating system

On Windows 10 or 11, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, select "Change a password", type your old password, then type your new password twice. On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click "General", then "Login Items & Extensions" or "Users & Groups", select your account, click the lock icon, and choose "Change Password". Both take about one minute if you remember your current password.

If you have forgotten your current password, 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 your Apple ID or a recovery key you created when you first set up the computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password" to update in under a minute.
  • Mac users open System Settings, find their account, unlock it with their current password, and select "Change Password".
  • You will need your current password to change it on either system unless you have set up a recovery method.
  • A strong new password should be at least 12 characters and mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you can reset it using your recovery email or phone number.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

The quickest method is the keyboard shortcut. Hold Ctrl, Alt, and Delete at the same time. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Change a password". You will see three fields: one for your old password, and two for your new password (the second one confirms you typed it correctly).

Type your current password first. Then type your new password in both remaining fields. Make sure the two new passwords match exactly — if they do not, Windows will tell you and ask you to try again. Click the arrow or press Enter when you are done. Windows will confirm the change when ready.

If the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method does not work, you can also go through Settings. Click the Start button, then "Settings", then "Accounts", then "Sign-in options". Scroll down to "Password" and click "Change". You will follow the same three-field process.

Changing your password on Mac

Open System Settings (on newer Macs) or System Preferences (on older ones). Look for "General" in the sidebar, or search for "Users & Groups". Click your account name in the list on the left. You will see a lock icon near the bottom of the window. Click it and type your current password to unlock the account settings.

Once unlocked, look for a "Change Password" button or link. Click it. You will see fields for your old password and your new password (twice). Type your current password, then your new password in both new fields, and click "Change Password". The system will confirm the change right away.

On very recent Macs, the path may be slightly different — look for "Login Items & Extensions" instead of "Users & Groups". The process is the same: find your account, unlock it, and select the password change option.

Creating a password that is hard to guess

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words. Do not use the same password across multiple accounts — if one website is hacked, someone could use that password to access your computer.

A practical approach is to use a phrase you remember and turn it into a code. For example, "My dog ate 3 socks in 2019" could become "Mda3si2019!" — take the first letter of each word, add the numbers, and add a symbol. You only have to remember the phrase, not the jumbled password.

If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the one built into your browser, you can generate a completely random 16-character password and let the manager remember it for you. This is more find than any password you could create by hand.

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

If you change your password and when ready forget it, you can reset it using a recovery method you set up earlier. On Windows, you need a recovery email address or phone number linked to your Microsoft account. Go to the Windows sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password", and follow the prompts to receive a reset link by email or text.

On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password. At the sign-in screen, if you enter the wrong password three times, the system will offer to reset it using your Apple ID. You can also use a recovery key if you created one when you first set up your Mac — this is a long code Apple gives you during setup.

If you do not have a recovery email, phone number, or Apple ID set up, resetting a forgotten password becomes much harder and may require contacting Apple or Microsoft support or taking your computer to a technician.

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 screen rather than through Settings. Others have a separate portal or website where you update your password.

Ask your IT department or help desk before trying to change it yourself — they may have specific rules about password length, symbols, or how often you must change it. Changing it the wrong way could lock you out of network resources or shared files.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months reduces the risk that someone who learned it in the past can still use it. If you ever typed your password on a public computer, shared it with someone who no longer works with you, or suspect someone may have seen it, change it right away.

You do not need to change it constantly — changing it every three to six months is reasonable for a personal computer. If you use the same password across multiple accounts, change all of them, not just your computer password.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I type the wrong old password?

Windows and Mac will reject the change and ask you to try again. You have several attempts before the system locks you out temporarily. If you cannot remember your current password, use the "I forgot my password" option on your sign-in screen instead of trying to change it.

Can I change my password from a different user account on the same computer?

On Windows, an administrator account can reset another user's password, but the user will not be able to access files encrypted with their old password. On Mac, only an administrator can change another account's password, and the same encryption issue applies. It is better to reset using your recovery email or Apple ID.

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

No. The change takes effect when ready on Windows and Mac. You will use your new password the next time you sign in or wake your computer from sleep, but you do not need to restart.

What if I see a message saying my password does not meet requirements?

Your system may require a minimum length (usually 8 to 12 characters) or specific types of characters. The error message will tell you what is missing — add more characters, include a number or symbol, or make it longer until it meets the requirements.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Technically yes, but it defeats the purpose of changing it. If someone learned your old password, using it again leaves you at the same risk. Choose something new.