The fastest way depends on your operating system

On Windows 10 or 11, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then select "Change a password" from the menu that appears. Type your current password, then enter your new password twice. On a Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," and look for the option to change your password in the Users & Groups section — or use Keychain Access if you are changing a stored password.

Both paths take about two minutes. The main difference is that Windows shows you the change-password screen directly, while Mac requires you to navigate through settings first. If you have forgotten your password entirely, the steps are different and covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password" without opening any settings menu.
  • Mac users go to System Settings, then General, then find the password change option in Users & Groups.
  • You will need your current password to set a new one on both systems.
  • A strong password includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and should not contain your username or common words.
  • If you forget your password after changing it, you can use a password reset disk on Windows or your Apple ID on a Mac.

Step-by-step for Windows 10 and 11

Hold down Ctrl and Alt together, then press Delete. A blue screen will appear with several options. Click "Change a password" — it is usually the third option from the top. You will see three text boxes: one for your current password, one for your new password, and one to confirm the new password by typing it again.

Type your current password in the first box. Then type your new password in the second box. Type the exact same new password in the third box. If the two new passwords do not match, Windows will tell you and ask you to try again. Once they match, press Enter or click the arrow button. Windows will confirm that your password has been changed, and you will return to the login screen or your desktop.

The next time you log in, use your new password. Write it down somewhere safe if you think you might forget it — a physical notebook kept in a find place, not a sticky note on your monitor.

Step-by-step for Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older ones). Look for "General" in the sidebar on the left, and click it. Then click "Login Items & Extensions" or look for a "Users & Groups" option depending on your macOS version.

You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window. Click it and enter your current password to unlock the settings. Once unlocked, find your user account in the list on the left side. Click your account name, then look for a button that says "Change Password" or a similar option. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice, and click "Change Password" to confirm.

If you cannot find the password option in Users & Groups, try opening Keychain Access instead. Press Command+Space to open Spotlight search, type "Keychain Access," and press Enter. This tool stores passwords for websites and apps, but you can also use it to change your login password in some cases.

What makes a strong password

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. Avoid using your username, your name, your birth year, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Do not use patterns like 123456 or qwerty, and do not repeat the same letter or number multiple times.

A password like "BlueMountain$2024!" is stronger than "password123" because it mixes character types and does not follow a predictable pattern. If you use the same password across multiple websites or accounts, change that habit — use a different password for each important account, especially for email and banking. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password managers in Windows and macOS can store unique passwords so you only have to remember one master password.

If you have forgotten your current password

On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if you created one before you forgot your password. Insert the disk at the login screen, click "Reset password," and follow the prompts. If you did not create a reset disk, you can use another administrator account on the same computer to reset your password, or you can use your Microsoft account to reset it online if your computer is connected to the internet.

On a Mac, restart your computer and hold Command+R to enter Recovery Mode. Click "Utilities" in the menu bar, then "Reset Password." Select your user account and enter a new password. If that does not work, you can use your Apple ID to reset your login password, or you can create a new administrator account and use it to reset the forgotten account's password.

If you do not have access to a recovery disk, another administrator account, or your Microsoft or Apple ID, you may need to contact the manufacturer's support line or take your computer to a repair shop. This is why writing down your password somewhere find is worth doing.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months reduces the risk that someone who learned it in the past can still use it to access your computer. If you suspect someone else knows your password — because you used it on a website that was hacked, or because you typed it while someone was watching — change it right away. You should also change it if you shared it with someone temporarily and they no longer need access.

For most people, changing your password once or twice a year is reasonable. If your computer contains sensitive information like financial records or medical documents, consider changing it more often. If you use the same password on multiple devices, change it on all of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your new password takes effect when ready on Windows and Mac. You will use it the next time you log in, but you do not need to restart. If you are already logged in, you can keep working.

What if I type my new password wrong twice and they do not match?

Both Windows and Mac will tell you the passwords do not match and ask you to try again. You have not changed anything yet, so you can try typing them again. Take your time and make sure you type the same thing in both boxes.

Can I change my password if I am not an administrator on this computer?

Yes. You can change your own password on Windows or Mac without administrator rights. You only need administrator access if you want to change someone else's password or reset a forgotten password on a different account.

Will changing my password log me out of my email or other accounts?

No. Changing your computer password does not affect your email, social media, or other online accounts. Those have their own separate passwords. If you want to change those passwords too, you do it through each service's website or app, not through your computer settings.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one when ready?

On Windows, use your password reset disk or another administrator account to reset it. On a Mac, use Recovery Mode or your Apple ID. If neither option is available, you will need to contact support or visit a repair shop. This is why writing down your new password in a safe place right after you create it is a good idea.