The fastest way depends on your operating system

Changing your password takes less than five minutes on any computer, but the steps differ between Windows, Mac, and Linux. Windows users press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password." Mac users open System Settings, click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," and find the password option in the sidebar. Linux users typically open a terminal and type passwd, then follow the prompts. The process is straightforward once you know where to look.

You'll need to know your current password to make the change — the system will ask you to enter it first as a security check. If you've forgotten your current password, the steps are different and are covered in the section below. Have your new password ready before you start; it should be something you can remember but that others cannot easily guess.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, select "Change a password," and follow the on-screen prompts to enter the old password and create a new one.
  • Mac users go to System Settings, find the password option under "General" or "Users & Groups" depending on macOS version, and enter their old and new passwords.
  • Linux users open a terminal window and type passwd to change their login password through command-line prompts.
  • Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols for stronger security.
  • If you forget your current password before changing it, you'll need to use your recovery key, security questions, or a password reset disk instead of the standard change process.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard simultaneously. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Change a password" — it's usually the third or fourth option on the screen. You'll be taken to a window asking for your current password first.

Type your current password in the first field, then enter your new password in the second field. Type it again in the third field to confirm you didn't make a typo. Windows will tell you if the password is too weak (too short, no numbers, no uppercase letters). Click the arrow or press Enter to complete the change. You'll see a message confirming success, and you're done.

The next time you log in, use your new password. If you're logged in to a Microsoft account rather than a local account, you may be asked to verify your identity through email or phone before the change takes effect.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Look for "General" in the sidebar on the left. Click it, then look for a section called "Login Items & Extensions" or "Users & Groups" depending on your macOS version.

In that section, you should see an option related to your account or password. Click it, then click "Change Password" or a similar button. You'll be asked to enter your current password, then your new password twice. Mac will check that your new password meets basic security standards. Click "Change Password" to save the change.

If you don't see a password option in System Settings, try this alternative: go to System Settings, search for "Users & Groups" in the search bar at the top, and follow the same steps from there. The location varies slightly between macOS versions, but the process is the same.

Changing your password on Linux

Open a terminal window. You can usually do this by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Open Terminal," or by searching for "Terminal" in your applications menu. Once the terminal is open, type passwd and press Enter.

The system will ask you to enter your current password. Type it and press Enter — the text won't appear on screen as you type, which is normal. Next, you'll be asked to enter your new password. Type it carefully and press Enter. The system will ask you to type the new password again to confirm. Once you press Enter the second time, you'll see a message saying the password has been updated successfully.

If you see an error message saying "Authentication token manipulation error," try typing sudo passwd instead, but this only works if your account has administrator permissions. If you're on a shared computer or network system, contact your system administrator before attempting this step.

Creating a strong password you can actually remember

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. However, a password that's too complicated becomes hard to remember and you'll end up writing it down, which defeats the purpose. The best approach is to use a phrase you know well and turn it into a code.

For example, if you remember "My dog Buster ate 3 socks in 2019," you could use MdB8a3sI2019! — taking the first letter of each word, replacing some words with numbers, and adding a symbol. This is much stronger than a straightforward dictionary word and easier to remember than a random string. Write this method down somewhere safe so you remember how you created it, but don't write down the actual password.

Avoid using your name, your birth year, your pet's name alone, or any word that appears in a dictionary. Avoid repeating the same password across multiple computers or accounts — if one system is compromised, all your accounts become vulnerable. If you have many passwords to manage, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass, which stores encrypted passwords securely.

What to do if you've forgotten your current password

If you can't remember your current password and the standard change process won't let you in, your next step depends on what recovery options you set up before. On Windows, you may have created a password reset disk or linked a Microsoft account. On Mac, you may have set up security questions or a recovery key. On Linux, you may need to boot into recovery mode or use a live USB.

For Windows: If you're locked out, restart your computer and try entering a blank password or a password you think might be correct. If that doesn't work, use a password reset disk if you created one before. If you don't have one, you'll need to contact Microsoft support or use another administrator account on the computer to reset your password.

For Mac: Restart your computer and hold Command+R to enter Recovery Mode. From there, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password, or answer security questions if you set them up. For Linux: You may need to boot into single-user mode or use a live USB with a Linux distribution to access your system and reset the password through the terminal.

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. Your organization may require passwords to be changed every 30, 60, or 90 days, and may enforce rules about password length and complexity. Some organizations use a centralized system where changing your password on one device changes it across all devices.

Check with your IT department or help desk before attempting to change your password on a managed computer. They may have a specific portal or process you need to follow. Changing your password through the standard system method might not sync with the organization's records, leaving you unable to log in to other services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my computer password?

If your computer is personal and not connected to a work or school network, changing your password once a year is reasonable. If you suspect someone has seen your password or if your computer has been compromised, change it when ready. Work and school computers often have mandatory change schedules set by IT policy.

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

You'll be locked out of your computer. On Windows or Mac, you can use a recovery key, security questions, or a password reset disk if you set one up beforehand. On Linux, you may need to boot into recovery mode. This is why writing down your new password in a find location (like a locked drawer or password manager) when ready after changing it is a good idea.

Can I change my password remotely if I'm not at my computer?

No, you must be logged into the computer itself to change the password through the standard process. If you're locked out and need access, contact your IT support or use a recovery method like a password reset disk or security questions. Some work computers allow password changes through a web portal, but this depends on your organization's setup.

Does changing my password log me out of other programs?

Changing your computer password does not automatically log you out of programs like email, cloud storage, or social media on that computer. However, the next time you try to access a service that requires your password, you'll need to enter the new one. Some programs may ask you to log in again as a security measure.

Is it safe to use the same password on multiple computers?

No. If one computer is compromised, someone with access to that machine could learn your password and use it on all your other devices. Use a unique password for each computer, and use different passwords for different online accounts as well. A password manager can help you keep track of multiple passwords securely.