The fastest way to change your password depends on your operating system
On Windows, you open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Password" to create a new one. On Mac, you open System Settings, choose "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," and look for the option to change your password there — or use Keychain Access if you need to change a stored password. Both take about two minutes once you know where to look.
The reason these paths are different is that Windows and Mac store and manage passwords in separate places. Windows ties your password to your Microsoft account or local user account. Mac ties it to your Apple ID or local account. Knowing which type of account you have before you start saves you from going down the wrong path.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users should go to Settings > Accounts > Password and click "Add" to create a new password.
- Mac users should go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, or use Keychain Access to change a stored password.
- You will need to know your current password to change it, unless you are using a password reset disk or recovery method.
- After you change your password, you may need to sign out and back in for the change to take full effect on some programs.
- If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, Windows and Mac both have recovery options, but they work differently.
How to change your password on Windows 10 or 11
Click the Start button in the bottom left corner, then type "Settings" and press Enter. When Settings opens, select "Accounts" from the left menu. You should see several options including "Sign-in options" — click that one.
Under "Sign-in options," look for the section labeled "Password." Click the button that says "Change." Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in and click "Next." Now you can type your new password twice — once in the first box and again in the second box to confirm you typed it correctly. Add a password hint if you want (something only you would understand), then click "Next" and "Finish."
Your new password takes effect when ready, but you may not see the change reflected in all your programs until you sign out completely and sign back in. If you use OneDrive, Outlook, or other Microsoft services, they may ask you to re-enter your password the next time you open them.
How to change your password on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings." In System Settings, click "General" in the left sidebar. Then scroll down and click "Login Items & Extensions." Look for an option related to your user account or password — the exact wording changes depending on your macOS version.
If you do not see a password option there, open Finder, go to Applications, then Utilities, and double-click "Keychain Access." In Keychain Access, you can search for stored passwords and change them individually. This is useful if you want to change the password for a specific website or program rather than your main login password.
To change your main Mac login password, you can also go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups (on older Macs) or System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, then look for your user account. Right-click your account name and select "Change Password." You will need to enter your current password before you can set a new one.
What to do if you cannot remember your current password
On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the sign-in screen. Windows will ask you security questions or send a code to your email or phone — whichever method you set up when you created your account. Answer the questions or enter the code, and you can set a new password without knowing the old one.
On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q as it boots up to enter Recovery Mode. Click "Utilities" at the top, then "Terminal." Type "resetpassword" and press Enter. A password reset window will open where you can choose your user account and create a new password. After you finish, restart your computer normally.
If you set up a password reset disk on Windows before you forgot your password, you can use that disk instead of answering security questions. Insert the disk, click "Reset password" on the sign-in screen, and follow the prompts. If you did not create a reset disk, you will need to use your security questions or contact Microsoft support.
Why your password might not work after you change it
The most common reason is that you typed it wrong when you set it up. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters are different from lowercase letters. If you set your password as "MyPassword123" and later type "mypassword123," your computer will not recognize it. Check the Caps Lock key on your keyboard — it is straightforward to accidentally turn on without noticing.
Another reason is that some programs cache your old password and have not refreshed yet. If you use email, cloud storage, or other services that store your password, they may still be trying to sign in with the old one. Sign out of those programs completely, restart your computer, and sign back in with your new password.
If you changed your password on a Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) rather than a local account, the change may take a few minutes to sync across all your devices. Wait 10 to 15 minutes, then try signing in again.
Creating a strong password you will actually remember
A strong password has at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. But a password that is too complicated becomes one you will forget, which defeats the purpose. A better approach is to use a phrase you know well and turn it into a code.
For example, if you remember "I got my first dog in 2015," you could use "IgmfdI2015!" — the first letter of each word plus the year and a symbol. You will remember the phrase, and the password is strong because it is long and mixes letters, numbers, and symbols. Write this phrase down on paper and keep it somewhere safe, like a locked drawer. Do not email it to yourself or save it in a text file on your computer.
If you use the same password across multiple websites and programs, change that habit. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store different passwords for each site so you only have to remember one master password. Many of these tools are free or low-cost and make password management much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my password regularly?
No. Older security information recommended changing passwords every 90 days, but that practice is now considered outdated. Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. Otherwise, a strong password that you do not reuse across sites is more important than how often you change it.
What happens to my files if I change my password?
Your files remain exactly where they are. Changing your password only changes how you sign into your computer — it does not affect the documents, photos, or programs stored on it. You will still see all your files after you sign in with your new password.
Can I change my password from another device?
On Windows, if you use a Microsoft account, you can change your password on the Microsoft website from any device. On Mac, you can change your Apple ID password from the Apple ID website. However, to change your local computer password (the one you use only on that specific machine), you must do it from that computer.
Will changing my password sign me out of everything?
Not when ready. You will stay signed in on your computer, but programs that store your password separately — like email, cloud storage, or banking apps — may ask you to sign in again the next time you open them. This is normal and a security feature.
What if I change my password and then forget it right away?
On Windows, use the "I forgot my password" option on the sign-in screen and answer your security questions. On Mac, use Recovery Mode and the password reset tool. Both methods let you set a new password without knowing the one you just created, though it takes a few extra steps.