The fastest way depends on your operating system

On Windows, you press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, select "Change a password", and follow the prompts. On Mac, you go to System Settings, find Users & Groups (or Users and Groups), select your account, and click "Change Password". Both take about two minutes. The steps differ because Windows and Mac store passwords differently, but the end result is the same — your old password stops working and only the new one will log you in.

Before you start, decide what your new password will be. Write it down somewhere safe, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it. If you forget your new password after you change it, recovering access is much harder than choosing a good one now.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password" from the menu that appears.
  • Mac users open System Settings, navigate to Users & Groups, select their account, and click "Change Password".
  • Your new password takes effect when ready — the old one stops working right away.
  • If you forget your new password, you may need to reset your computer or contact the person who set it up originally.
  • A strong password contains uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 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. You will see three fields: "Old password", "New password", and "Confirm new password".

Type your current password in the first field. Then type your new password in the second field. Type it again in the third field to make sure you did not make a typo. Click the arrow button or press Enter. Windows will tell you whether the change worked. If it says "The password has been changed", you are done — your new password is now active.

If Windows says "The old password is incorrect", you typed your current password wrong. Try again, paying attention to uppercase and lowercase letters. If you cannot remember your current password, you will need to restart your computer and use a password reset disk or contact your system administrator.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older ones). Look for "Users & Groups" or "General" — the exact location depends on your macOS version. Click your account name on the left side of the window.

You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window. If so, click it and enter your current password when prompted. Once the lock is open, look for a "Change Password" button and click it. A dialog box will appear asking for your old password, then your new password twice. Type each one carefully, then click "Change Password".

If you do not see a "Change Password" button, your account may be managed by your workplace or school. Contact your IT department or system administrator — they control password changes for managed accounts.

What makes a strong password

A password that is hard to guess has at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid using your name, your birthday, your pet's name, or words from the dictionary. Hackers have lists of common passwords and will try them first.

A phrase is often stronger than a random string. For example, "BlueSky!Sunrise#2024" is easier to remember than "Kx9@mL2pQ#vR" and just as hard to crack. Write your new password down on paper and store it in a safe place — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager. Do not email it to yourself or text it to anyone.

What happens when ready after you change your password

Your new password takes effect right away. If you are logged in when you change it, you stay logged in — you do not have to sign out and sign back in. The next time you restart your computer or lock your screen, you will need to use the new password to get back in. The old password will no longer work.

If you have other devices that use the same password — a tablet, a phone, or another computer — you will need to update the password on those devices too. Otherwise, they will not be able to connect to your account or access files you share through cloud services.

If you forget your new password

On Windows, restart your computer and look for a "Reset password" link on the login screen. If you set up a password reset disk before you changed your password, you can use it now. If you did not, you may need to use your Microsoft account to reset it, or contact your system administrator if your computer is managed by a workplace.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command+S to enter Single-User Mode. From there, you can reset your password using the command line, but this requires technical knowledge. A simpler option is to use your Apple ID to reset your account password, or contact Apple Support. If your Mac is managed by your workplace or school, contact your IT department.

The easiest way to avoid this problem is to write your new password down and store it safely before you log out for the first time.

Changing your password on older Windows versions

If you use Windows 7 or earlier, the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method still works, but the menu looks slightly different. After you press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, you will see a screen with several options. Click "Change a password" and follow the same steps as Windows 10 or 11.

If your computer is part of a workplace network, you may see a "Ctrl+Alt+Delete" dialog instead of a menu. In that case, click "Change a password" in that dialog. The process is the same — old password, new password, confirm new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your new password takes effect when ready. You stay logged in if you were already signed in. You will need the new password the next time you lock your screen or restart, but not right away.

Can I change my password if I forgot the old one?

Not through the normal change password screen — you need the old password to verify you are the account owner. On Windows, use a password reset disk or your Microsoft account. On Mac, use your Apple ID or contact Apple Support. If your computer is managed by work or school, contact your IT department.

What if the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method does not work on my Windows computer?

You may be using a laptop where Ctrl+Alt+Delete is mapped differently. Try Ctrl+Alt+Fn+Delete instead. If that does not work, go to Settings, select "Accounts", then "Your info", and look for "Change your password". The location varies by Windows version.

Can I use the same password on multiple computers?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone learns that password, they can access all your computers. It is safer to use a different password on each device, or use a password manager to keep track of them.

Will changing my password affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, programs, and settings stay exactly the same. Only the password you use to log in changes. Programs that were already installed and running will continue to work normally.