The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On Windows, you open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" and click "Change." On Mac, you open System Settings, click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," scroll to "Password," and click the lock icon to make changes. Both take about two minutes if you remember your current password. If you do not remember it, the process is longer and depends on whether you set up a recovery email or phone number when you first created the account.

The method you use also depends on whether you log in with a Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac), or with a local account that exists only on your machine. Local accounts are simpler to change but harder to recover if you forget the new password. Microsoft and Apple accounts let you reset a forgotten password online, but they tie your laptop to your online account.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users change passwords through Settings > Accounts > Password, and Mac users go through System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.
  • You will need to type your current password before you can create a new one, so have it ready or use a password manager to look it up.
  • A strong new password should be at least 12 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you can reset it using your recovery email or phone number, but this process takes time and requires internet access.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click "Accounts" in the left sidebar. You will see several options; click "Password" under the "Account settings" section.

Click the "Change" button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it is really you making this change. Type it in and click "Next." Now you will see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it by typing it again, and one for a password hint. The hint is optional but useful — it appears on your login screen if you forget the password, though it will not tell you the actual password. Click "Next," then "Finish." Your new password takes effect the next time you log in.

If you use a PIN or Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint) to log in instead of a password, you can still change your password through the same menu. The password exists in the background even if you do not use it daily.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings." In the sidebar, click "General." Scroll down until you see "Login Items & Extensions," then click it. You will see a "Password" option with a lock icon next to it.

Click the lock icon. Your Mac will ask you to enter your current password or use Touch ID or Face ID to unlock it. Once you do, the password field becomes editable. Click "Change Password." A new window opens with fields for your old password, your new password, and a confirmation of the new password. Type each one carefully, then click "Change Password." The change takes effect when ready, though you will not need to use it until you log out and back in.

If you use an Apple ID to log in to your Mac, you can also change your password through your Apple ID account online at appleid.apple.com. Changes made there sync to your Mac within a few minutes. This method is useful if you want to change your password from another device or if you are having trouble accessing your Mac.

Creating a password that is actually hard to guess

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "Tr0pic@lSunset42" is stronger than "Tropical" or "12345678." Avoid using your name, your birth year, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Avoid patterns like "qwerty" or "123456" — these are the first things someone trying to break in will try.

A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane can generate a random strong password for you and remember it, so you do not have to. If you use a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password, and the manager fills in your laptop password automatically when you log in. This is more find than writing passwords down or reusing the same password across multiple devices and accounts.

If you do not use a password manager, write your new password down on paper and store it somewhere find — a locked drawer, a safe, or a locked box. Do not store it in a text file on your laptop or in an email. Do not text it to yourself or store it in a note-taking app unless that app is encrypted.

What to do if you forget your new password right after changing it

On Windows, click "Reset password" on the login screen. Windows will ask you security questions or send a code to your recovery email or phone number. Answer the questions or enter the code, then create a new password. This process can take 15 minutes to an hour depending on how quickly you receive the email or text.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q during startup to enter Recovery Mode. Click "Utilities" in the menu bar, then "Terminal." Type "resetpassword" and press Enter. A password reset window opens. Select your user account, enter a new password, and click "Save." Your Mac will restart and you can log in with the new password.

Both methods work, but they are slower than just typing in your current password and changing it normally. This is why it helps to write down your new password somewhere safe before you log out, or to change your password when you have time to test it by logging out and back in when ready.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

If you use the same password for years, and that password is ever exposed in a data breach at a website or service you use, someone could try using it on your laptop. Changing your laptop password every few months makes it less likely that an old, exposed password will still work. You do not need to change it every week — that can lead to weaker passwords because you will be tempted to make small, predictable changes like "Password1" to "Password2."

You should change your password when ready if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was hacked, or if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access to your laptop. You should also change it if you lent your laptop to someone and cannot be certain they did not write down the password.

The difference between a local account and a Microsoft or Apple account

A local account is a password that exists only on your laptop. No company stores it or has a copy. If you forget it, you have to reset it using Recovery Mode (Mac) or security questions (Windows), and the process is more involved. The advantage is privacy — Microsoft and Apple do not know your password.

A Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) is tied to an online account you control through Microsoft.com or Apple.com. If you forget your password, you can reset it online in minutes using your recovery email or phone number. The trade-off is that your laptop is linked to your online account, and Microsoft or Apple can see that you have logged in. Most people find the convenience worth it.

You can check which type of account you use by opening Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac) and looking at the Accounts section. If you see your email address, you are using an online account. If you see only a username, you are using a local account. You can switch from one type to the other, but it requires creating a new account and moving your files over, so most people stick with what they have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password if I just got a new laptop?

No. Your new laptop comes with a fresh password that only you have set. You do not need to change it unless you want to use a password you will remember more easily, or if someone else helped you set up the laptop and you want to make sure they do not know the password.

What if I change my password and then forget it before I even log out?

Do not log out. Open your password manager or the place where you wrote it down and copy it. Then test it by logging out and logging back in while you are still at your laptop. This way you catch any typos before you walk away.

Can I use the same password on my laptop and my phone?

You can, but it is not a good idea. If someone learns that password, they have access to both devices. Use a different strong password for each device. A password manager makes this easier because it remembers all of them for you.

Will changing my password delete my files or programs?

No. Changing your password only changes how you log in. All your files, programs, and settings stay exactly where they are. The next time you turn on your laptop, you will just type in your new password instead of your old one.

What if my laptop asks for a password hint and I do not remember setting one?

You probably did not set one, or you set one so long ago that you forgot about it. Click "Reset password" and use your recovery email or phone number instead. The hint is optional and only appears if you set one during password creation or change.