The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On a Windows computer, you change your password by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete, selecting "Change a password", and typing your old password followed by your new one twice. On a Mac, you open System Settings, click General, then Users & Groups (or Passwords & Accounts on newer versions), select your account, and click the Change Password button. Both take about two minutes if you remember your current password. If you do not remember it, the process is longer and requires you to use a recovery method you set up earlier.

The reason to change your password regularly is straightforward: if someone has seen it, knows it, or guessed it, a new one locks them out. You should also change it if you have used the same password on multiple websites and one of those sites was breached. A strong new password is one you have not used before, one that is at least 12 characters long, and one that mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password" from the menu that appears.
  • Mac users open System Settings, find Users & Groups or Passwords & Accounts, select their account, and click Change Password.
  • You will need to type your current password before you can create a new one, so have it ready.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols mixed throughout.
  • If you forget your password before changing it, you can use a recovery email or phone number you set up earlier to regain access.

Changing your password on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete at the same time. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Change a password" — it is usually the third or fourth option on the screen. You will see a prompt asking for your current password. Type it exactly as it is, including capital letters and numbers. Windows will not show the letters as you type; you will see dots or asterisks instead. This is normal and keeps someone looking over your shoulder from seeing it.

After you enter your current password, you will see two fields for your new password. Type your new password in the first field. Type it again in the second field to confirm you did not make a typo. If the two do not match, Windows will tell you and ask you to try again. Once they match, click the arrow or press Enter. A message will say "Your password has been changed" if it worked. If you see an error message, check that you typed your old password correctly and try again.

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 "General" or "Users & Groups" depending on your Mac's age. If you see "General", click it, then look for "Users & Groups" or "Passwords & Accounts" in the sidebar. Click your user account name on the left side of the window. You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window. If you do, click it and type your current password to unlock the settings.

Once unlocked, look for a "Change Password" button. Click it. You will see a field asking for your old password. Type it in. Below that are two fields for your new password. Type your new password in the first one and again in the second one to confirm. You can also add a password hint — a phrase that reminds you of your password but does not give it away to someone else. When you are done, click "Change Password". Your Mac will confirm the change and return you to the settings window.

What to do if you do not remember your current password

If you cannot remember your password before you try to change it, you cannot use the method above. Instead, you will need to use a recovery method. On Windows, restart your computer and look for "I forgot my password" on the login screen. Click it. Windows will ask you security questions you answered when you set up your account, or it will send a code to a recovery email address you provided. Answer the questions or enter the code, and Windows will let you create a new password without knowing the old one.

On a Mac, restart and hold Command+Q to open the login window if you are not already there. Look for a question mark icon or "Reset Password" option. Click it. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID email and password. Once you do, you can create a new computer password. If you do not remember your Apple ID password either, you will need to go to iforgot.apple.com on another device to reset that first.

If you do not have access to a recovery email or phone number, or if you do not remember your Apple ID password, you may need to contact the computer maker's support line or take the computer to a repair shop. This is why setting up recovery options when you first create your account is important — it saves you time and frustration later.

How to create a password that is hard to guess

A strong password is long and random. Aim for at least 12 characters. Mix in uppercase letters (A, B, C), lowercase letters (a, b, c), numbers (0, 1, 2), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Do not use words from the dictionary, your name, your birthday, or your pet's name — these are the first things someone trying to break in will try. Do not use patterns like "123456" or "qwerty" (the top row of letters on a keyboard).

A good approach is to think of a random phrase and use the first letter of each word, then add numbers and symbols. For example, "My dog ate seven tacos on Tuesday" becomes "Mdas7toT!" — long, mixed, and hard to guess. Write your new password down on paper and store it somewhere safe, like a locked drawer. Do not email it to yourself or write it in a note on your computer. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane, you can store it there instead, and the manager will remember it for you.

Why you should not reuse passwords across websites

If you use the same password on your email, your bank, your social media, and your work computer, one breach puts all of them at risk. When a website is hacked and passwords are stolen, attackers will try that same password on other sites. If it works on your email, they can reset passwords on every other account linked to that email. If it works on your bank, they can drain your account. This is why a unique password for each important account matters.

You do not have to memorize every password. A password manager stores them all behind one strong master password. You only have to remember the master password, and the manager fills in the others for you. This also makes it easier to use long, random passwords everywhere, because you are not trying to remember them. Most password managers cost between five and ten dollars per year, though some free versions exist with fewer features.

What to do after you change your password

After you change your computer password, you will use the new one the next time you log in. If you are already logged in, you can stay logged in — the change takes effect when you log out or restart. If you have other devices that log into the same account (like a work laptop or a shared family computer), you will need to update the password on those devices too, or you will be locked out when you try to log in.

If you use cloud storage like OneDrive (Windows) or iCloud (Mac), changing your computer password does not change your cloud password. You may need to update those separately depending on how your account is set up. If you are unsure, check the settings for each service. It is also a good idea to write down the date you changed your password somewhere you can find it later, so you know when you last updated it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I type my new password wrong in the confirmation field?

The system will tell you the two passwords do not match and ask you to try again. This is a safety feature to catch typos. Take your time typing the second time, or consider typing it in a text editor first so you can see what you wrote, then copy and paste it into both fields.

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

If you are a standard user on a shared computer, you can change your own password. If you are a guest or a child account with parental controls, you may not be able to. Ask the account owner or administrator to check the account settings.

Do I need to change my password if I never share my computer?

Even if no one else uses your computer, changing your password every few months is still a good idea. If malware or spyware has infected your computer without your knowledge, a new password can lock out unauthorized access. It is also good practice if you have ever typed your password on a public computer or over an unsecured network.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one right away?

You will need to use the recovery method for your operating system — security questions on Windows or your Apple ID on Mac. This is why writing down your new password in a safe place, or using a password manager, is helpful. Do not write it on a sticky note on your monitor.

Does changing my computer password change my email password?

No. Your computer password and your email password are separate. If you want to change your email password, you will need to go to your email provider's website (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) and change it there. The same is true for passwords on other websites and services.