The fastest way depends on your operating system

The steps to change your password differ between Windows, Mac, and Linux because each system stores and manages passwords differently. On Windows, you use the Control Panel or Settings app. On Mac, you go through System Preferences. On Linux, you use the terminal. All three take between two and five minutes once you know where to look, and you do not need any special software or administrator permission beyond your current password.

Before you start, know that changing your password logs you out of some services on your computer — particularly cloud storage like OneDrive or iCloud, and email clients like Outlook or Mail. These services will ask you to sign back in with your new password within a few minutes or a few hours. This is normal and expected.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, go to Accounts, then Password, and click "Change" to enter your current password and create a new one.
  • Mac users open System Preferences, select Users & Groups, unlock the panel with their current password, then click "Change Password" in the Password tab.
  • Linux users open a terminal and type passwd, then enter their current password followed by the new password twice.
  • After changing your password, you will need to sign back into cloud services and email clients on your computer within a few hours.
  • A strong password contains at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid birthdays, names, or dictionary words.

Changing your password on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar. Select "Password" from the menu on the left side of the window.

Click the blue "Change" button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password — this confirms you have permission to change it. Type your current password and click "Next". Now enter your new password twice: once in the "New password" field and once in the "Confirm password" field. Click "Next", then "Finish". Your password is now changed.

If you use a PIN or Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint), you can change those separately in the same Accounts menu. Changing your Windows password does not automatically change your PIN or Windows Hello settings.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences" (on older Macs) or "System Settings" (on newer Macs). Search for "Users & Groups" or scroll until you find it and click it. You will see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — click it and enter your current password to unlock the settings.

Select your user account from the list on the left. Click the "Password" tab. Click the "Change Password" button. Enter your current password in the first field, then type your new password in the "New password" field and again in the "Verify" field. Click "Change Password". The system will ask you whether you want to update your keychain password to match — click "Update Keychain" so your saved passwords and login information stay synchronized.

Changing your password on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type the command passwd and press Enter. The system will ask you to enter your current password — type it and press Enter. Now type your new password and press Enter. The system will ask you to type the new password again to confirm it — type it a second time and press Enter. You will see a message saying "password updated successfully" or similar. Your password is now changed.

If you see a message saying "Authentication token manipulation error", your password change did not go through. Close the terminal, wait a minute, and try again. This error usually clears on its own.

What to do when you are locked out of your account

If you forget your password and cannot sign in, the recovery process depends on whether you set up a password reset disk or recovery email. On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen — the system will walk you through recovery options, which usually involve answering security questions or using a recovery code you saved earlier. On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command-Q at the login screen to access account recovery options.

If you did not set up recovery options beforehand, you will need to use a different administrator account on the same computer, or contact the person who manages your computer (your IT department at work, or a family member if this is a personal machine). There is no way to recover a forgotten password without one of these paths.

Making sure your new password is actually strong

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and contains a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birthdate, pet's name, or common words — these are the first things someone trying to break in will try. A phrase like "BlueSky$Sunset42!" is stronger than a single word like "Password123" because it is longer and less predictable.

If you use the same password across multiple websites or accounts, change that habit now. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass stores different strong passwords for each site so you only have to remember one master password. This way, if one website is breached, your other accounts stay protected.

What happens to your other accounts after you change your password

Changing your computer password does not automatically change your passwords on websites, email accounts, or cloud services. Your Gmail password, your bank login, and your social media accounts all stay the same. You only need to change those passwords separately if you want to.

However, services that are signed into your computer — like OneDrive, iCloud, Outlook, or Mail — will notice the password change and ask you to sign back in. This usually happens within a few hours. When you see the sign-in prompt, enter your new password. This reconnects those services to your account so they can sync files and messages again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password if I do not remember my current password?

No — the system requires your current password to change it, as a security check. If you have forgotten it, you will need to use your password recovery options (security questions, recovery email, or recovery code) or ask another administrator on the computer to help you reset it.

Will changing my computer password change my email password too?

No. Your computer password and your email password are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. You would need to go to your email provider's website and change the password there separately if you want to.

How often should I change my computer password?

There is no fixed rule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you have used it on a website that was breached, or if you have not changed it in over a year. For most people, once a year is reasonable. Changing it more often than that does not add much security if the password was strong to begin with.

What if I see an error message when I try to change my password?

The most common errors are "password does not meet complexity requirements" (your new password is too straightforward or too short) or "authentication token manipulation error" (a temporary system glitch). For the first, make your new password longer and add numbers or symbols. For the second, close the settings window, wait a minute, and try again.

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

No. The change takes effect when ready. You will be asked to sign back into cloud services and email clients within a few hours, but you do not need to restart.