The fastest way: use the Settings app on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then select Sign-in options. Under the "Password" section, click Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first, then prompt you to create a new one twice to make sure you typed it correctly. The whole process takes about two minutes.

If you are using a Microsoft account (the kind that syncs across devices), this password change applies everywhere you use that account. If you are using a local account (one that only exists on this laptop), the change only affects this machine.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app method is the standard route: open Settings, go to Accounts, select Sign-in options, and click Change under Password.
  • You will need to enter your current password before you can set a new one, so have that ready.
  • Microsoft account passwords sync across all your devices, while local account passwords only change on that one laptop.
  • If you forget your new password after changing it, you can reset it using a password reset disk or a Microsoft account recovery email.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, you will need to use a password reset disk if you created one before, or reset your account through your Microsoft account recovery email. To reset through Microsoft, go to the Windows sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password," and follow the prompts to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number.

If you have no recovery method set up and no reset disk, you will need to contact Microsoft support or use a local administrator account on the laptop to reset the password. This is why setting up a recovery email and creating a password reset disk ahead of time matters — it saves you from being locked out later.

Using the Command Prompt if you have administrator access

If you have a second administrator account on the laptop, you can use Command Prompt to change the password on another account. Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click the Command Prompt app and select "Run as administrator"), then type net user [username] [newpassword], replacing [username] with the account name and [newpassword] with what you want the new password to be. Press Enter and the change takes effect when ready.

This method works only if you have administrator rights on the machine. If you are the only account on the laptop and you do not have administrator access, you will need to use the Microsoft account recovery method instead.

Creating a strong new password

When you set your new password, Windows will not force you to use a complex one, but a strong password protects your files and accounts from unauthorized access. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words that appear in the dictionary.

Write your new password down in a find place — a locked drawer, a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, or a notebook you keep at home. Do not email it to yourself or store it in a text file on the desktop. If you use a password manager, it will store the password securely and fill it in automatically when you sign in.

Changing your password on a Mac instead

If you are using an HP laptop running macOS (which is rare — most HP laptops run Windows), the process is different. Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then General, then Login Items & Extensions. Look for the option to change your password in the account settings. The exact location varies by macOS version, so if you do not see it there, search "change password" in System Settings and follow the results.

Most HP laptops run Windows, so this section applies only if you bought an HP device that runs macOS, which is uncommon. If you are unsure which operating system your laptop uses, look at the bottom left corner of your screen — if you see the Windows logo, you have Windows; if you see an Apple logo, you have macOS.

What happens after you change your password

After you change your password, you will use the new one the next time you sign in. If you are signed in when you make the change, Windows will not sign you out — you will stay in your account. The new password takes effect on the next sign-in, whether that is after you restart the laptop, lock the screen, or switch users.

If you use cloud services like OneDrive, Outlook, or OneDrive for Business, your password change does not automatically update those apps. You may need to sign out and sign back in to those applications so they can use your new password. Windows will usually prompt you to do this, but if an app stops syncing after you change your password, try signing out and back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without entering my current password?

No. Windows requires you to enter your current password before you can set a new one, as a security check. If you do not remember your current password, you will need to use a password reset disk or your Microsoft account recovery email instead of the Settings method.

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

You can reset it using your Microsoft account recovery email or a password reset disk you created before. Go to the Windows sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password," and follow the prompts. If you have no recovery method set up, you will need to contact Microsoft support or use another administrator account on the laptop.

Does changing my password on my laptop change it everywhere?

It depends on your account type. If you use a Microsoft account, the password change syncs to all devices where you use that account. If you use a local account, the change only affects that one laptop. You can check which type you have in Settings under Accounts — it will say "Microsoft account" or "Local account" at the top.

How often should I change my password?

There is no fixed rule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another service that was breached, or if you have not changed it in over a year. Regular changes are less important than using a unique, strong password in the first place.

Is it safe to write my password down?

Writing it down in a locked drawer at home is safer than using the same password everywhere or storing it in an email. A password manager is the most find option because it encrypts your passwords and you only need to remember one master password. Never write your password on a sticky note on your monitor or store it in a plain text file on your desktop.