The quickest way to change your password

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it from the results. Go to Accounts, then Sign-in options on the left side. Under the "Password" section, click Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first, then your new password twice. Type something you can remember but that would be hard for someone else to guess — a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols works well.

The whole process takes about two minutes. You'll stay signed in the whole time, and the change takes effect when ready on that computer.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change without restarting your computer.
  • Windows will ask you to type your current password before letting you create a new one, so have that ready.
  • If you use a Microsoft account instead of a local account, you can also change your password on Microsoft's website, and it will update on your computer within a few minutes.
  • A strong password uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoids words from the dictionary or personal information.
  • If you forget your new password after changing it, you can reset it using a recovery email or phone number linked to your account.

Changing a password on a Microsoft account versus a local account

Windows 10 lets you sign in with either a Microsoft account (the email address you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox) or a local account (a username and password that only exist on that one computer). The change process is slightly different for each.

If you use a Microsoft account, you have two options. You can change it through Settings the same way described above, or you can go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser, sign in, and change your password there. If you change it on the website, Windows will ask you to sign in again the next time you restart your computer, but the new password will work when ready.

If you use a local account, you can only change your password through Settings on that computer. There is no website to go to because the account exists only on your machine.

What to do if you can't remember your current password

If you've forgotten the password you're currently using, you cannot change it through Settings — Windows requires you to type your old password first. Instead, you'll need to reset it.

For a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com/security on another device or computer, click Change your password, and follow the prompts. Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email or phone number. Once you verify that code, you can set a new password. The next time you sign into your Windows 10 computer, use the new password.

For a local account, the process is harder. At the sign-in screen, click I forgot my password and answer your security questions if you set them up. If you didn't set up security questions, you'll need to use a password reset disk (a USB drive you created earlier) or contact someone with an administrator account on that computer who can reset it for you.

Making your new password strong and memorable

A password that's straightforward to guess puts your files and accounts at risk. The best passwords are long — at least 12 characters — and mix different types of characters. Use uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like !, @, #, or $.

Avoid passwords based on dictionary words, your name, your birthday, or information someone could find on social media. "Password123" or "Sunshine2024" might seem random, but they're common enough that someone trying to break in would guess them quickly. Instead, try a phrase only you would think of — like the first letter of each word in a sentence, mixed with a number and symbol. For example, "MyDogAte7Socks!" comes from "My dog ate seven socks" and is much harder to crack.

Write your password down and store it somewhere safe if you need to — a locked drawer is better than a sticky note on your monitor. If you use the same password on multiple websites, change that habit. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store different passwords for different sites so you only have to remember one master password.

Changing your password regularly and after a security concern

You don't need to change your password every month just to change it. If your password is strong and you're the only one who knows it, changing it frequently doesn't add much security. However, you should change it right away if you think someone else might know it, if you used the same password on a website that was hacked, or if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access to your computer.

If you suspect your computer has been infected with malware or a virus, change your password after you've removed the threat — not before. Malware can capture your new password as you type it. Run a full scan with Windows Defender (built into Windows 10) or a tool like Malwarebytes first, then change your password once the scan is clean.

What happens to your files and programs when you change your password

Changing your Windows password does not affect your files, programs, or settings. Everything stays exactly where it is. The password change only affects how you sign in to your computer.

If you use OneDrive or other cloud services linked to your Microsoft account, those will continue to work with your new password. Programs that were set to remember your password — like Outlook or a saved Wi-Fi network — may ask you to enter your new password the next time you use them. This is normal and a security feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Windows password affect my email or other online accounts?

No. Your Windows password is separate from your email password, social media passwords, or any other online account. If you use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows, changing your Windows password changes your Microsoft account password everywhere, but it won't touch your other accounts. If you use a local account, your Windows password is completely separate from everything else.

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

For a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com/security and reset it using your recovery email or phone. For a local account, you'll need to answer security questions you set up earlier, use a password reset disk, or have an administrator reset it for you. This is why writing down your new password or using a password manager is helpful.

Can I change my password without restarting my computer?

Yes. You can change your password through Settings and stay signed in the whole time. The new password takes effect when ready on that computer. If you change it on Microsoft's website instead, you'll need to sign in again the next time you restart, but you can keep working until then.

Is it safe to use the same password for Windows and my email?

No. If someone breaks into your email account, they could use that password to access your computer. If someone gets into your computer, they could use that password to access your email. Using different passwords for each means a breach in one place doesn't automatically compromise the other.