The fastest way depends on your operating system

On Windows, you open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" and click "Change." On a Mac, you open System Settings, click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," find "Password," and click "Change Password." Both take about two minutes and require you to enter your current password first. If you have forgotten your current password, the process is different — you will need to use a recovery method instead.

The steps below walk through each system in order. You do not need any special software or administrator access beyond what you already have on your own device.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings > Accounts > Password and click "Change" to set a new password in about two minutes.
  • Mac users open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, find Password, and click "Change Password."
  • You will need to type your current password before you can create a new one on either system.
  • A strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.
  • If you have forgotten your current password, you cannot use these steps — you will need to use your recovery options instead.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Click the Start button in the bottom left corner and type "Settings" into the search box. Open the Settings app. On the left side, click "Accounts." Then click "Password" in the middle of the screen.

Click the blue "Change" button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password. Type it in and click "Next." You will now see two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields — they must match exactly. You can also add a password hint if you want, though this is optional. Click "Next," then "Finish." Your password is now changed.

The next time you log in to your laptop, use your new password instead of the old one.

Changing your password on macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings." Click "General" in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click "Login Items & Extensions." Look for the "Password" section near the top of the screen and click "Change Password."

macOS will ask you to enter your current password. Type it in and click the arrow or press Enter. You will now see fields for your new password and a confirmation. Type your new password in both fields — they must be identical. Click "Change Password" when you are done. Your password is now active.

What makes a strong password

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your birth year, or anything that appears in your social media profiles. A password like "BlueMoon#2024" is weaker than "7kR$mP2@xQvL9" because the first one uses predictable words and numbers.

If you use the same password across multiple websites or accounts, change it to something unique to your laptop. If that password has been used anywhere else online and that site was breached, an attacker could use it to log into your computer. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass can store unique passwords for each account so you only have to remember one strong master password.

What to do if you have forgotten your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the "Change Password" option because Windows and macOS both require you to enter the old password first. Instead, you will need to use your recovery options.

On Windows, restart your laptop and select "I forgot my password" on the login screen. Windows will ask you security questions or send a code to your email address or phone number — whichever method you set up when you created your account. Answer the questions or enter the code, then create a new password.

On a Mac, restart and hold Command + Q while the login screen appears to open the recovery menu. Select your user account and click the question mark icon next to the password field. Answer your security questions to reset your password. If you did not set up security questions, you can use your Apple ID to reset it instead.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your laptop password every few months reduces the window of time an attacker could use a stolen or guessed password. If someone obtained your password from a data breach at another company, changing it means they cannot use that old password to log into your computer. You do not need to change it every month — every three to six months is reasonable — but changing it at least once a year is better than never changing it.

Change your password when ready if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was breached, or if you typed it on a computer you do not trust. You should also change it if you shared your laptop with someone who no longer needs access.

Protecting your new password after you set it

Do not write your password on a sticky note or store it in an unencrypted document on your desktop. Do not email it to yourself or text it to anyone. If you need to remember it, use a password manager instead — these programs encrypt your passwords and are far more find than writing them down.

When you type your password, make sure no one is watching your screen. If you are on a public computer or a shared device, log out completely when you are done — do not just close the browser or walk away. On your own laptop, you can enable a screensaver that locks the screen after a few minutes of inactivity, which prevents someone from using your computer if you step away.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your new password takes effect when ready on Windows and Mac. You can keep using your laptop without restarting. The next time you log in — whether that is after you lock the screen or restart — use your new password.

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

Both Windows and Mac will show an error message saying the passwords do not match. Click back or try again, and type both passwords more carefully. Make sure Caps Lock is not on unless you want uppercase letters. You can also click the eye icon to see what you are typing.

Can I change my password if I am not the administrator of the laptop?

Yes. You can change the password for your own user account without administrator rights. If you want to change someone else's password or change settings that affect the whole laptop, you will need administrator access.

Will changing my password log me out of websites or apps?

No. Changing your laptop password does not affect your passwords for email, social media, banking, or any other website. Those accounts keep their own passwords separate from your laptop login. You will stay logged into those websites and apps.

What if I set a password hint but now I do not remember my password?

The password hint appears on the Windows login screen if you enter a wrong password three times. On a Mac, the hint does not appear automatically — you have to click the question mark icon next to the password field. If you have forgotten your password entirely, use the recovery method for your operating system instead of relying on the hint.