The fastest way to change your password depends on your operating system

On Windows, you open Settings, go to Accounts, and change your password in one place. On Mac, you use System Settings and the Users & Groups section. Both take about five minutes. The method you use matters because Windows and Mac store passwords differently — Windows ties your password to your Microsoft account (if you use one), while Mac keeps it local to your machine unless you use an Apple ID.

Before you start, decide whether you want to change the password you use to log in every day, or change a password for something else on your laptop like a user account you share with family. This guide covers changing your main login password. If you forget your current password partway through, you will need to restart your laptop and use a recovery method, which takes longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users should go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password to change their login password in about five minutes.
  • Mac users should go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, select their account, and click the lock icon to change their password.
  • If your Windows laptop is linked to a Microsoft account, changing your password on the laptop also changes it for your Microsoft account online.
  • You will need to know your current password before you can set a new one, so have it ready before you start.
  • A strong password should be at least 12 characters and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

How to change 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 on "Accounts" in the left sidebar. You will see several options — click "Sign-in options" near the top of the page.

Look for the "Password" section, which should be near the top. Click the "Change" button underneath it. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first — type it in and click "Next". Then type your new password twice (once to enter it, once to confirm you typed it correctly), add a password hint if you want one, and click "Next". Windows will show you a confirmation screen — click "Finish" to save the change.

If your laptop is connected to a Microsoft account, this change will sync to your Microsoft account within a few minutes. If you use a local account (one that is not tied to Microsoft), the change stays on your laptop only. Either way, the next time you log in, use your new password.

How to change your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" if you have an older Mac). In the sidebar on the left, click "General". Then look for "Users & Groups" and click it.

You will see a list of user accounts. Click on your own account name to select it. Below the account list, you should see a lock icon — click it. Mac will ask you to enter your current password to unlock the settings. Type it in and click "Unlock". Now click the "Change Password" button. Enter your current password once more, then type your new password twice, and click "Change Password".

If you use an Apple ID to log in to your Mac, changing your password here changes only the password you use to log in to the laptop itself, not your Apple ID password. If you want to change your Apple ID password, you will need to do that through Apple's website or through System Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security.

What to do if you forget your current password

On Windows, restart your laptop and look for a "Reset password" link on the login screen. Click it and answer your security questions or use a recovery email address to prove who you are. Windows will let you set a new password without knowing the old one. This process takes 10 to 15 minutes.

On Mac, restart your laptop and hold down Command + S while it starts up to enter Recovery Mode. Open Disk Utility, select your hard drive, and click "Repair". Then restart normally. At the login screen, you should see a "?" icon — click it and follow the prompts to reset your password using your Apple ID or security questions. If you do not have an Apple ID linked to your account, you may need to use a recovery key or contact Apple Support.

How to create a password that is hard to guess

A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. Avoid using your name, your birthday, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Do not use the same password on multiple devices or websites.

One way to create a password you can remember is to think of a sentence and use the first letter of each word, then swap some letters for numbers or symbols. For example, "My dog ate three socks on Tuesday" becomes "Mda3SoT!" — that is 8 characters, so you might add a number to make it longer: "Mda3SoT!2024". Write your new password down on paper and store it somewhere safe, like a locked drawer, until you have memorized it.

What happens after you change your password

The next time you log in to your laptop, use your new password instead of the old one. If you have other devices linked to the same account (another computer, a phone, or a tablet), you may need to enter your new password on those devices too, depending on how they are set up. Windows and Mac will usually prompt you to do this the next time you try to use a service that needs your password.

If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox, changing your laptop password does not change the password for those services. You would need to change those passwords separately on their websites if you want to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without knowing my current password?

No, both Windows and Mac require you to enter your current password before you can set a new one. If you have forgotten it, you will need to use the password reset process on your login screen, which uses security questions or a recovery email instead.

Will changing my laptop password change my Microsoft or Apple ID password?

On Windows, if your laptop is linked to a Microsoft account, changing your laptop password also changes your Microsoft account password online. On Mac, changing your laptop password does not change your Apple ID password — those are separate. You can change your Apple ID password through System Settings or on Apple's website.

How often should I change my laptop password?

There is no rule that says you must change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you have used the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. For most people, once a year is reasonable.

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

You will need to use the password reset process on your login screen. Have your security questions answered or a recovery email ready. This is why writing down your new password on paper and storing it safely for a few days can help you memorize it before you rely on it.

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

No. The change takes effect when ready. The next time you log out and log back in, or the next time your laptop wakes from sleep, you will use your new password.