The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On a Windows computer, you change your password through Settings. Press the Windows key and the letter I together, or click the Start menu and select Settings. Then go to Accounts, select Sign-in options, and click Change under Password. Windows will ask you to enter your current password, then type your new one twice to confirm it matches.

On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click General, then Users & Groups. Click the lock icon in the bottom left to unlock the settings, select your account, and click Change Password. You'll enter your old password once, then your new password twice.

Both processes take about two minutes. The main difference is that Windows requires you to be signed in to the account you want to change, while Mac lets an administrator change another user's password without knowing the old one.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, go to Accounts and Sign-in options, and select Change under Password.
  • Mac users open System Settings, click General and Users & Groups, unlock the settings, and click Change Password on their account.
  • You will need to enter your current password to prove you have the right to change it.
  • Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to stay find.
  • After you change your password, you'll use the new one the next time you sign in.

Step-by-step for Windows 10 and Windows 11

Start by pressing the Windows key (the one with the four squares) and the letter I at the same time. This opens Settings directly. If that doesn't work, click the Start button in the bottom left, type "Settings," and press Enter.

Once Settings is open, look for the word "Accounts" on the left side of the window and click it. Then click "Sign-in options." Scroll down until you see the word "Password" with a blue "Change" button next to it. Click that button.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password to verify you're the account owner. Type it in and click Next. Then type your new password in the first box, type it again in the second box to confirm it, and click Next. Windows will show you a confirmation message. Click Finish, and you're done.

Step-by-step for 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 "General" in the sidebar on the left and click it.

In the General window, find "Users & Groups" and click it. You may see a lock icon in the bottom left corner of the window. If the lock is closed, click it and enter your password to unlock the settings. Once unlocked, select your user account from the list on the left.

Click the "Change Password" button. Enter your current password in the first field, then type your new password in the second field and again in the third field to confirm it matches. Click "Change Password" to save your new password.

What makes a strong password you can actually remember

A strong password is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. The longer your password, the harder it is to guess. Sixteen characters is better than eight, and twenty is better than sixteen.

The catch is that a password you can't remember is useless. One method that works is to take a phrase you know well — the name of your first pet, the street you grew up on, a line from a song — and turn it into a code. For example, "My dog Buddy was born in 2015" becomes "MdBwbi2015!" You remember the phrase, but someone guessing won't.

Never use your name, your birthday, your username, or the word "password" in your password. Don't use the same password on multiple accounts, because if one account is breached, all of them are at risk. If you have trouble keeping track of different passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane — these programs store your passwords in an encrypted vault and fill them in automatically.

What to do if you forget your password

On Windows, restart your computer and go to the sign-in screen. Click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you security questions you set up when you created your account, or send a code to your email or phone. Answer the questions or enter the code, and Windows will let you create a new password.

On Mac, restart and hold Command and Q together when you see the login screen. This opens the Reset Password utility. Select your account, answer your security questions, and create a new password. If you don't remember your security questions, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password instead.

If you can't remember your security questions or access your email or phone, you may need to take your computer to an Apple Store or a Windows support center. Bring proof of ownership, like a receipt or ID matching the name on the account.

When to change your password and why

Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another account that was hacked, or if you haven't changed it in over a year. You should also change it if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access — for example, a family member moving out or a coworker leaving a job.

Changing your password regularly makes it harder for someone to use an old password they may have found or guessed. It also limits the damage if a website you use gets hacked and your password is exposed — the hackers will have an old password that no longer works.

You don't need to change your password every month if you're the only person using your computer and you use a strong, unique password. Once a year is reasonable for most people. If you share your computer with family members, each person should have their own account with their own password instead of sharing one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your new password takes effect when ready. The next time you sign out and sign back in, you'll use the new password. If other people are signed into the same computer, their passwords don't change.

What if I change my password and then forget it right away?

On Windows, use the "I forgot my password" option on the sign-in screen. On Mac, use the Reset Password utility or your Apple ID. Both let you create a new password without knowing the old one, as long as you can answer your security questions or access your recovery email.

Can I change my password if I'm not the main account owner?

Yes, if you have your own user account on the computer. You can only change the password for your own account. If you need to change someone else's password and you're the administrator, you can do it through Users & Groups on Mac, but on Windows you'll need their current password or access to their recovery email.

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 sign in changes. Programs that were already signed in to your accounts (like email or cloud storage) will stay signed in.

Is it safe to write my password down?

Writing it down is safer than using the same weak password everywhere, but less safe than using a password manager. If you write it down, keep it in a physical location only you can access — not on a sticky note on your monitor or in a document on your computer. A password manager is the better choice because it encrypts your passwords and you only need to remember one master password.