The fastest way: use Settings

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts in the left menu, then click Sign-in options. Under the "Password" section, click the Change button.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it and click Next. Then type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and again in the "Reenter password" field to make sure you didn't mistype it. Click Next, then Finish. You're done. The change takes effect the next time you sign in.

This method works whether you use a Microsoft account (the kind tied to Outlook or Hotmail) or a local account (one that exists only on your computer). The process is identical either way.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the simplest route: open Settings, go to Accounts > Sign-in options, click Change under Password, and enter your old password followed by your new one twice.
  • You must know your current password to change it through Settings; if you've forgotten it, you'll need to use the password reset disk or recovery options instead.
  • Your new password takes effect the next time you sign in, not when ready.
  • Windows will not let you reuse a password you've used recently, so choose something genuinely new.

What to do if you've forgotten your current password

If you can't remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings method above. Instead, click I forgot my password on the Windows sign-in screen. Windows will walk you through recovery options based on what you set up when you created your account.

If you added a recovery email address to your account, Windows will send you a link to reset your password through that email. If you set up a security key or phone number, you can use those instead. If you have a password reset disk from before you forgot your password, you can use that too — insert it and Windows will let you create a new password without knowing the old one.

If none of those options are available, you'll need to contact Microsoft support or use a local account recovery method, which varies depending on whether you're the computer's administrator.

Creating a strong password Windows will accept

Windows 10 doesn't force you to use uppercase letters, numbers, or symbols, but it's a good idea anyway. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase and lowercase letters with at least one number or symbol.

Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or common words. "Password123" and "Qwerty" are among the most common passwords people choose, and they're the first ones attackers try. Instead, think of a phrase you'll remember — like "MyDogAte3Socks!" — and use that. You only have to type it once per sign-in, so length doesn't hurt.

Windows will reject any password you've used on this account in the past five times you changed it. This is a security feature to prevent you from cycling back to an old, possibly compromised password.

Changing your password from the sign-in screen

You can also change your password without opening Settings. On the Windows sign-in screen, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. A menu will appear. Click Change a password. Enter your current password, then your new password twice, and press Enter.

This method is useful if you want to change your password before you fully sign in, or if you prefer not to navigate through Settings. The result is identical — your new password takes effect on your next sign-in.

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

Changing your password does not affect your files, programs, or any settings on your computer. Everything stays exactly as it was. The only thing that changes is the password you use to sign in.

If you use a Microsoft account and you change the password through Windows, that change syncs to your Microsoft account online. If you sign in to other devices with the same Microsoft account, you'll need to use your new password on those devices too the next time you sign in.

Changing a password for another user account on the same computer

If you're the administrator on the computer, you can reset another user's password without knowing their current one. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then click Other people. Click the account you want to change, then click Reset password. You'll be asked to create a new temporary password for that user.

That user will be prompted to change the temporary password the next time they sign in. This is useful if someone has forgotten their password and you need to give them access to their account again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password sign me out of everything?

No. Changing your Windows password does not sign you out of websites, email, or apps. You stay signed in to everything. The password change only affects how you sign in to Windows itself on that computer.

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

You can use the "I forgot my password" option on the sign-in screen if you set up recovery email, a phone number, or a security key. If you didn't set up any recovery method, you'll need to contact Microsoft or use administrator recovery options.

Can I change my password on my phone or tablet?

If you use a Microsoft account, you can change your password at account.microsoft.com from any device with a web browser. That change will sync to Windows 10. If you use a local account, you can only change the password from that specific computer.

How often should I change my password?

Microsoft recommends changing your password if you think someone else knows it or if you use the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites was breached. You don't need to change it on a schedule just for security's sake.

What's the difference between changing my password and resetting it?

Changing your password means you know your current password and you're replacing it with a new one. Resetting your password means you've forgotten it and you're using a recovery method (email, phone, or security key) to create a new one without entering the old one.