The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On Windows 10 or 11, you change your password through Settings in about two minutes. On a Mac, you use System Preferences or System Settings. Both paths are straightforward if you remember your current password — if you don't, the process is longer and requires either a recovery key or access to another administrator account.

The steps below cover the most common scenario: you know your current password and want to set a new one. If you're locked out, skip to the "Frequently Asked Questions" section.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Password" to change it in a few clicks.
  • Mac users open System Settings, navigate to General, then Users & Groups to change their password.
  • You'll need to enter your current password before creating a new one on either system.
  • A strong password includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you can reset it using a recovery key or another admin account.

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, select "Accounts" from the left sidebar. You'll see several options; click on "Password" under the "Account settings" section.

Click the "Change" button. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm your identity — type it in and click "Next". Now you'll see two fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields, then click "Next" and "Finish". Your password is now changed.

If you see a message saying you can't change your password, you may be using a Microsoft account rather than a local account. Microsoft account passwords are changed through your Microsoft account online, not through your laptop. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for "Security" or "Password" in the settings menu.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older ones). Look for "General" in the sidebar and click it. Then click "Users & Groups" or just "Users" depending on your macOS version.

You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window. Click it and enter your current password to unlock the settings. Once unlocked, click the "Change Password" button. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Verify" field. Click "Change Password" to save it.

If you don't see a "Change Password" button, make sure your user account is selected in the list on the left. You can only change the password for the account you're currently logged into, unless you're an administrator changing someone else's password.

Creating a password that's actually hard to guess

A strong password uses a mix of character types: uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words. A password like "BlueMoon2024!" is easier to remember than a random string but still much harder to crack than "password123".

Aim for at least 12 characters. The longer your password, the longer it would take someone to guess it. If you struggle to remember complex passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager in your browser — these store passwords securely and fill them in automatically.

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

On Windows, if you set a password recovery key when you created your account, you can use it to reset your password without losing your files. You'll need to restart your laptop, enter an incorrect password a few times, and then select "Reset password" when it appears. Windows will ask for your recovery key, which is a long string of characters you should have saved somewhere safe.

If you don't have a recovery key, you'll need to sign in with another administrator account on the same laptop, then use that account to reset your password. If no other admin account exists, you may need to use Windows installation media or contact Microsoft support.

On Mac, you can reset your password using your Apple ID if you set that up when you created your account. Restart your Mac, enter an incorrect password, and you'll see an option to reset using your Apple ID. If you don't have that set up, you'll need another administrator account or your Mac's recovery key.

Changing your password regularly and staying find

You don't need to change your password every month — that's outdated information. Instead, change it when you suspect someone else knows it, when you use the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites gets hacked, or when you haven't changed it in several years.

The bigger security win is using a unique password for each important account: your email, your bank, your work laptop, and any site that stores payment information. If one password leaks, the others stay safe. A password manager makes this practical because you only have to remember one master password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without knowing the old one?

Not easily. Windows and Mac both require your current password to set a new one. If you've forgotten it, you'll need a recovery key, another administrator account, or to reset through your Microsoft or Apple ID. This is a security feature — it prevents someone else from changing your password if they gain brief access to your laptop.

What if I'm changing the password for someone else's account?

You can only do this if you're logged into an administrator account. Follow the same steps as above, but select the other user's account instead of your own. On Mac, click the lock icon, enter your admin password, then select their account and click "Change Password". On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Other users, select their account, and click "Change password".

Will changing my password log me out of my email or other accounts?

No. Your laptop password and your email password are separate. Changing your laptop password won't affect Gmail, Outlook, or any other online account. However, if you've saved your email password in your browser or in a password manager, you may need to update it there if you also changed your email password.

How long does it take to change a password?

The actual change takes less than a minute once you open the settings. The whole process — finding the right menu, entering your current password, typing your new one, and confirming — usually takes two to five minutes on either Windows or Mac.

Is it safe to write down my new password?

Writing it down is better than reusing an old password or using something straightforward to guess, but it's not ideal. If you write it down, keep the paper somewhere find — not on a sticky note on your monitor. A password manager is safer because it encrypts your passwords and you only need to remember one master password.