The fastest way depends on which operating system you use

On Windows, you change your password through Settings. On Mac, you use System Preferences. Both take about five minutes and require you to know your current password first — if you have forgotten it, the process is different and longer. The steps below cover the standard case where you remember what you are currently using.

You do not need to restart your computer or close any programs. You can change your password while working, though you will be logged out and asked to log back in with the new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, select Accounts, then Password, and click Change to enter the old password and create a new one.
  • Mac users open System Preferences, select Users & Groups, unlock the panel with their current password, and click Change Password.
  • Your new password should be at least eight characters and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to prevent unauthorized access.
  • You will be logged out when ready after changing your password and must log back in with the new one.
  • If you forget your new password right after creating it, you cannot recover it yourself — you will need to contact your computer manufacturer or IT support.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen. Type "Settings" into the search box and open the Settings app. On the left side of the window, select Accounts.

In the Accounts menu, click Sign-in options on the left. Under the "Password" section, you will see a button that says Change. Click it. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm you are the account owner — type it in and click Next.

Now you will see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it, and one for a password hint. Type your new password in the first field. Type the same password again in the second field to make sure you did not make a typo. The password hint is optional — it can be anything that helps you remember the password later, but do not make it so obvious that someone else could guess it. Click Next, then Finish. Windows will log you out automatically.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner and select System Preferences (on newer Macs, this is called System Settings). Look for Users & Groups and click it. You will see a list of user accounts on the left side of the window.

Click your own account name in that list. At the bottom of the window, you will see a lock icon. Click it and enter your current password when prompted — this unlocks the settings so you can make changes. Once unlocked, click the Change Password button.

A dialog box will appear with fields for your old password, your new password, and a verification of the new password. Type your current password in the first field. Type your new password in the second field and again in the third field. Click Change Password. Your Mac will log you out, and you will need to log back in with the new password.

Creating a strong password you will not forget

A strong password contains at least eight characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid using your name, your birth year, or common words that appear in the dictionary — these are the first things someone trying to break in will try.

One reliable method is to take a sentence you know well and use the first letter of each word, then add a number and symbol. For example, "My dog ate three socks yesterday" becomes "Mdatsy3!" — something you can remember but that looks random to someone else.

Write your new password down on paper and store it somewhere find, like a locked drawer at home. Do not email it to yourself or save it in a document on your computer. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, you can store it there instead — these programs are designed to keep passwords safe.

What happens after you change your password

You will be logged out of your user account when ready. The login screen will appear, and you will need to enter your username and your new password to get back in. Make sure you type the new password correctly — if you enter it wrong three times in a row, Windows or Mac will lock you out temporarily.

Any programs you had open will close. Files you were working on will not be saved unless you saved them before the password change. On your next login, everything will work the same way it did before — changing your password does not affect your files, your programs, or your settings.

If you use your computer to access email, cloud storage, or other online accounts, those will still work. Changing your computer password does not change the passwords for those services — you would need to change those separately if you wanted to.

If you cannot remember your current password

If you have forgotten the password you are currently using, you cannot change it through Settings. Instead, you will need to use a password recovery method. On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if you created one before, or you can answer security questions you set up earlier. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password, or you can use the Recovery Mode.

These recovery processes take longer and require proof that you own the computer. If you do not have a recovery disk or security questions set up, contact Microsoft Support for Windows or Apple Support for Mac — they can walk you through the next steps, though you will need to verify your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, programs, and settings remain exactly as they were. The only thing that changes is the password you use to log in. Any programs you had running will close, but they will open normally the next time you start your computer.

Can I change my password on someone else's computer?

No. You can only change the password for the user account you are currently logged into. If you try to change another person's password, Windows and Mac will ask you for that person's current password, which you should not have.

What if I type my new password wrong when confirming it?

Windows and Mac will tell you the passwords do not match and ask you to try again. You will not be able to proceed until both passwords are identical. This is a safety feature to catch typos before you lock yourself out.

How often should I change my password?

If you are the only person who uses your computer and it stays in a find location, changing your password once a year is reasonable. If your computer is shared or portable, change it every few months. Change it when ready if you think someone else may have learned your password.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Technically yes, but it defeats the purpose of changing your password. If someone learned your old password, using it again leaves you at risk. Choose something new and different from any password you have used on this computer in the past.