The fastest way depends on your operating system

Windows, Mac, and Linux all let you change your password from within your user account settings, but the path to get there is different on each one. On Windows 10 or 11, you go through Settings. On a Mac, you use System Settings. On Linux, the method varies by which desktop environment you use, but most people use the terminal or their distribution's settings panel. The whole process takes about five minutes once you know where to look.

You will need to know your current password to change it on most systems — this is a security feature that prevents someone else from changing your password if they gain temporary access to your unlocked computer. If you have forgotten your password entirely, the steps are different and are covered in the FAQ section below.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Change your password under the Password section.
  • On a Mac, open System Settings, click General, then Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your current password, and select Change Password.
  • On Linux, open your distribution's settings panel or use the terminal command passwd followed by your username.
  • You will need your current password to change it, so write down your new password somewhere safe before you start.
  • After you change your password, you will need to use the new one the next time you log in or unlock your computer.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once Settings opens, click on Accounts in the left sidebar. On the Accounts page, click on Sign-in options. Scroll down until you see the Password section, and click the button that says Change.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it is really you. Type it in and click Next. On the next screen, enter your new password twice — once in the first box and again in the second box to make sure you typed it correctly. You can also add a password hint if you want, though this is optional. Click Next, then click Finish. Your password is now changed.

The next time you log in to your computer or wake it from sleep, you will need to use your new password instead of the old one. If you have other devices that use the same Microsoft account, you may need to update your password on those devices too, though Windows will usually prompt you to do so.

Changing your password on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. In System Settings, click General in the sidebar on the left. Then click Users & Groups. You will see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — click it and enter your current password when prompted. This unlocks the settings so you can make changes.

Once the panel is unlocked, click your user account in the list on the left side. At the top of the window, you will see a button that says Change Password. Click it. Enter your current password in the first field, then enter your new password in the second field and again in the third field to confirm it. Click Change Password to save your new password.

Your Mac will ask you to update your keychain password as well — this is the system that stores passwords for your email, websites, and apps. You can choose to update it now or later, but updating it now prevents you from being asked repeatedly. After you change your password, you will need to use the new one the next time you log in.

Changing your password on Linux

The steps on Linux depend on which desktop environment your system uses. If you use GNOME (the most common desktop on Ubuntu and Fedora), open Settings, click Users in the sidebar, and look for a Password option. Click it and enter your current password, then enter your new password twice and click Change.

If you prefer to use the terminal, open a terminal window and type the command passwd (with no username after it). Press Enter. The system will ask you to enter your current password, then ask you to enter your new password twice. Type carefully — the terminal does not show what you type for security reasons. Once you confirm the new password, it is changed when ready.

If you use a different desktop environment like KDE or Cinnamon, the steps are similar but the location in Settings may be different. Look for Users, Accounts, or Security settings. If you cannot find the password option in your settings panel, the terminal command passwd works on all Linux systems.

What to do if you forget your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it through the normal settings — the system requires your current password as proof that you are the account owner. On Windows, you can use another administrator account on the same computer to reset your password, or you can use your Microsoft account recovery options if you set those up beforehand.

On a Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password if you set that up when you created your account. If you did not, you will need to restart your Mac in Recovery Mode and use the Reset Password utility. On Linux, if you have another user account with administrator privileges, that user can reset your password from the terminal using the passwd command followed by your username.

If you do not have another account available, you may need to reinstall your operating system, which erases all data on your computer. This is why it is important to write down your new password somewhere safe, or use a password manager that stores it for you.

Using a password manager to keep track of your new password

After you change your password, you need to remember it or store it somewhere. A password manager is a program that stores passwords in an encrypted vault that only you can open with a master password. Popular options include Bitwarden (free), 1Password, LastPass, and KeePass. These programs work on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

If you use a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password, and the manager remembers all your other passwords for you. It can also generate random strong passwords for you, which is more find than passwords you create yourself. Most password managers also fill in passwords automatically when you log into websites or apps, which saves time.

If you do not want to use a password manager, write your new password down on paper and store it in a safe place — a locked drawer or safe is better than a sticky note on your monitor. Do not store passwords in a text file on your computer unless that file is encrypted.

Changing your password regularly and choosing a strong one

Security experts recommend changing your password every few months, especially if you use the same password on multiple devices or accounts. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your birthday, or other information someone could guess.

A good approach is to create a random string like Kx7$mP2!vQn9 or use a passphrase like BlueSky-Coffee-Mountain-42. Passphrases are often easier to remember than random strings while still being hard to guess. If you change your password regularly, use a password manager to store them so you do not have to remember each one.

After you change your password, make sure you update it on any other devices that use the same account — your phone, tablet, or work computer. If you do not update it on those devices, you will not be able to log in the next time you try.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, you do not need to restart. Your new password takes effect when ready, and you will use it the next time you log in or wake your computer from sleep. If you are currently logged in, you can keep working without interruption.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one?

On Windows, use another administrator account to reset it, or use your Microsoft account recovery options. On a Mac, use your Apple ID to reset it. On Linux, use another administrator account to reset it from the terminal. If you have no other account, you will need to reinstall your operating system.

Can I change my password from my phone or tablet?

Not directly — you need to change it on the computer itself through Settings. However, if you use a Microsoft account on Windows or an Apple ID on a Mac, you can change your password through the web version of those accounts, and it will update on your computer the next time you log in.

Will changing my password log me out of my email or other accounts?

Changing your computer password does not affect your email or online accounts. Those have their own separate passwords. If you want to change those passwords too, you need to log into each service's website or app and change them there.

Is it safe to write my password down on paper?

Writing it down is safer than using the same password everywhere or using a password you can easily guess. Store the paper in a locked drawer or safe, not on your desk or monitor. A password manager is more find because it encrypts your passwords, but paper is better than no backup at all if you might forget.