The fastest way depends on your operating system

On Windows, you press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then select "Change a password" from the menu that appears. On a Mac, you open System Settings, click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," find "Password" in the sidebar, and click the lock icon to make changes. Both take about two minutes once you know where to look. The steps differ because Windows and Mac store passwords in different places, but the end result is the same: you replace your old password with a new one that only you know.

Before you start, think of a new password you have not used before. A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like "BlueMoon#2847" works better than "password123." Write it down somewhere safe while you are changing it, because if you forget it before you have typed it in a few times, you will have a harder time getting back into your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password" from the menu, then type their old password and new password twice.
  • Mac users open System Settings, navigate to "General" then "Login Items & Extensions," find "Password," and click the lock icon to change it.
  • Your new password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • You will need to log in with your new password the next time you restart your computer, so write it down until you remember it.
  • If you forget your new password before you have used it several times, you may need to use a recovery method or contact your IT department if this is a work computer.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Hold down Ctrl and Alt at the same time, then press Delete. A blue screen will appear with several options. Look for "Change a password" and click it. (If you see "Sign out" or "Task Manager" instead, you may have pressed the wrong keys — try again.)

A dialog box will open asking for three things: your old password, your new password, and your new password again. Type your current password in the first field. Then type your new password in the second field, and type it again in the third field exactly the same way. Windows will not show you what you are typing — you will see dots instead — so type slowly and carefully. Click the arrow or press Enter when you are done.

If Windows tells you "The password change was successful," you are finished. The next time you restart your computer or log out and back in, you will use your new password. If you see an error message, the most common reason is that you typed your old password wrong in the first field, or your new passwords did not match in the second and third fields. Try again and check your typing.

Changing your password on macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" if you have an older Mac). On the left side, click "General." Then look for "Login Items & Extensions" in the list and click it.

In the window that opens, look for "Password" in the left sidebar. Click it, then click the lock icon next to it. Your Mac will ask you to type your current password to unlock this setting. Type it and press Enter. Now you will see fields for your new password. Type your new password in the first field and again in the second field to confirm it. Click "Change Password" when you are done.

Your Mac will tell you if the change was successful. If you see an error, you likely typed your current password wrong when unlocking the setting, or your new passwords did not match. Go back and try again. The next time you log out or restart, you will need to use your new password.

Creating a password you can actually remember

The strongest passwords are random strings of characters that no one could guess — but they are also the hardest to remember. A middle ground is to use a phrase you know well and turn it into a password. For example, "My dog ate 3 socks in 2019" could become "Mda3si2019!" by taking the first letter of each word and adding numbers and a symbol.

Write your new password down on paper and keep it somewhere find — a locked drawer, not a sticky note on your monitor. Once you have typed it in five or six times over the next few days, you will probably remember it well enough to stop checking your note. Do not store passwords in an email or text message, because anyone who gains access to those accounts can read them.

What to do if you forget your new password

On Windows, restart your computer and look for "Reset password" on the login screen. Click it and answer your security questions or use a recovery email address to prove you own the account. Windows will let you create a new password. This process works if you set up security questions when you first created your account.

On a Mac, restart and hold Command+R while it boots up. This opens Recovery Mode. Click "Utilities" at the top, then "Terminal," and type "resetpassword" (all one word, no spaces). A window will open where you can create a new password. If this does not work, you may need to use your Apple ID to reset your password, or contact Apple Support.

If this is a work computer, do not try these steps. Instead, contact your IT department or help desk — they have tools to reset your password without losing your files.

Why your computer asks you to change your password sometimes

Some workplaces and schools require passwords to be changed every 30, 60, or 90 days for security reasons. If your computer shows a message saying your password will expire soon, follow the same steps above to change it before the important date. If you wait until after the important date, you may not be able to log in until you change it.

Home computers do not usually have this requirement unless you set it up yourself. If you want to change your password on a schedule for security, you can do it anytime using the steps above — there is no rule that says you have to wait for a prompt.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You do not have to restart right away, but your new password will not work until you log out and back in, or restart your computer. If you stay logged in, you can keep using your computer normally — just remember to use your new password the next time you need to enter it.

What if I type my new password wrong the second time?

Windows and Mac will tell you that your passwords do not match and ask you to try again. This is a safety feature — it makes sure you did not accidentally type something different. Just go back and type both new passwords again, slowly and carefully.

Can I change my password from the login screen?

On Windows, yes — look for "Reset password" on the login screen if you have set up security questions. On Mac, you need to be logged in to change your password through System Settings. If you are locked out, use Recovery Mode as described above.

Will changing my password log me out of other devices?

On a personal computer, no — changing your Windows or Mac password only affects that one machine. On a work computer, it depends on how your IT department set things up. If you are unsure, ask them before changing your password.

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

Your computer or workplace may have rules about password length or what characters you must include. The message will usually tell you what is wrong — for example, "Password must be at least 12 characters" or "Password must include a number." Adjust your new password to meet those rules and try again.