The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac
On a Windows laptop, you change your password through Settings in about two minutes. On a Mac, you use System Settings and the Users & Groups panel. Both paths require you to know your current password first — if you have forgotten it, you will need to use a recovery method instead, which takes longer. The steps below cover the standard case where you remember what you currently use to log in.
The reason these operating systems put the password tool in different places is that they organize their settings differently. Windows groups account changes under "Accounts," while Mac groups them under system preferences. Once you know where to look, the actual process is nearly identical on both.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Accounts, select Your info, and click "Change your password" — you will need to enter your current password first.
- On Mac, open System Settings, click Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your current password, select your account, and click "Change Password."
- Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols to stay find.
- After you change your password, you will use the new one the next time you log in or wake your laptop from sleep.
- If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you can use a recovery account or password reset disk on Windows, or your Apple ID on Mac.
Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11
Start by clicking the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner, then type "Settings" and press Enter. The Settings window will open. On the left side, click "Accounts" — it is usually the second or third option down. Then click "Your info" at the top of the list on the left.
Look for a button that says "Change your password" or "Change password." Click it. 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 two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields — make sure they match exactly, because Windows will reject them if they do not. Click "Next," then "Finish." Your password is now changed.
The next time you log in or wake your laptop from sleep, use your new password instead of the old one. If you are logged in to a Microsoft account (not a local account), Windows may also ask you to change the password on your Microsoft account itself — follow those prompts if they appear, because they keep your email and cloud storage find too.
Changing your password on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older Macs). In the sidebar on the left, scroll down and click "General," then look for "Users & Groups" — on some Macs it appears directly in the sidebar. Click it. You will see a lock icon at the bottom of the panel. Click the lock and enter your current password when prompted, then click "Unlock."
Select your user account from the list on the left — it will be highlighted. Now click the "Change Password" button. Mac will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in and click "Change Password." You will then see fields for your new password and a confirmation. Type your new password in both fields to make sure they match, then click "Change Password." The panel will lock itself again automatically.
Your new password takes effect the next time you log in. If you use iCloud or an Apple ID on your Mac, you may be asked separately whether you want to change that password too — you can do that now or skip it, depending on whether you want the same password for both your Mac login and your Apple account.
Creating a strong password you can actually remember
A strong password is at least 8 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, "BlueMoon#2024" or "Coffee$Morning7" are both strong. Avoid using your name, your birth year, or common words that appear in a dictionary, because those are the first things someone trying to break in will guess.
The hardest part of a strong password is remembering it. One method that works well is to take a sentence you know well — like a line from a song or a place you have been — and use the first letter of each word plus a number and symbol. For example, "I love coffee every morning" becomes "Ilcem#2024." Another approach is to use a passphrase: a string of random words like "correct-horse-battery-staple" that is long but straightforward to remember because the words form a mental image.
Write your new password down on paper and store it somewhere safe — a locked drawer or a safe at home — until you have typed it in enough times that it becomes automatic. Do not store it in a note on your laptop itself, because anyone who gains access to your laptop can read it.
What to do if you forget your new password right after changing it
On Windows, restart your laptop and look for a link that says "Reset password" on the login screen. Click it and answer your security questions, or use a password reset disk if you created one before. If you have a Microsoft account, you can also click "I forgot my password" and reset it through your email. On Mac, restart and hold Command + Q at the login screen to access the password reset options, or use your Apple ID to reset it.
The easiest way to avoid this problem is to test your new password when ready after changing it. Log out of your laptop, then log back in using the new password while you are still sitting at it. That way you know it works before you close the Settings window and move on.
When you need to change your password for security reasons
Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you have used the same password on multiple websites and one of those websites was hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. You should also change it if you have shared your laptop with someone who no longer needs access — even if they have their own user account, changing your password ensures they cannot log in as you.
If you suspect your laptop has been compromised — for example, if you see programs running that you did not start, or if your files have been moved or deleted — changing your password alone will not fix the problem. In that case, run a full antivirus scan or take your laptop to a technician before you change anything, because the attacker may have installed software that captures your new password as you type it.
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 will use it the next time you log in or wake your laptop from sleep. If you are currently logged in, you can keep working without restarting.
Can I change my password if I do not remember my current one?
Not through the normal Settings path. On Windows, use the "Reset password" link on the login screen or a password reset disk. On Mac, restart and use the password reset options, or reset through your Apple ID. Both require you to answer security questions or access your email.
Will changing my password log me out of other devices?
On Windows, changing your local account password does not affect other devices. If you change your Microsoft account password, you may need to sign in again on your phone or other devices. On Mac, changing your Mac password does not affect your iPhone or iPad unless you also change your Apple ID password.
What if I use the same password on my laptop and my email account?
Change both. If someone gains access to your email password, they can reset passwords on any website that uses your email address to verify your identity. Keep your laptop password and email password different so that compromising one does not compromise the other.
Can someone change my password without my permission?
Only if they have physical access to your laptop and know your current password, or if they have access to your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). Protect your laptop by locking it when you step away and by using a strong password that others cannot guess.