The fastest way: use Settings

Open Settings 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 Change.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it and click Next. Then enter your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Reenter password" field to make sure you typed it correctly. Click Next, then Finish. You will be signed out and asked to sign back in with your new password.

This method works whether you use a Microsoft account (the kind linked to Outlook or Hotmail) or a local account (one that exists only on your computer). The change takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the simplest route: open Settings, go to Accounts, click Sign-in options, then click Change under Password.
  • You must enter your current password before you can set a new one, so have it ready.
  • Type your new password twice to catch typos before you lock yourself out.
  • If you forget your password after changing it, you can reset it using a password reset disk or a Microsoft account recovery email, depending on your account type.

What to do if Settings does not show a Change button

If you are using a Microsoft account and the Change button is grayed out or missing, your account may be managed by your workplace or school. Contact your IT department or help desk — they control password changes for managed accounts, and you will need to go through them.

If you are using a local account and the Change button does not appear, try signing out completely and signing back in, then return to Settings. If it still does not work, restart your computer and try again. A restart often fixes temporary glitches in the Settings app.

Using the Command Prompt if Settings fails

If the Settings method does not work after a restart, you can change your password using the Command Prompt. Right-click the Start menu, select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and click Yes when Windows asks for permission.

Type this command exactly: net user [username] * — replace [username] with your actual Windows username. Press Enter. Windows will prompt you to enter a new password (you will not see the letters as you type), then ask you to type it again to confirm. Press Enter after each entry. The command will say "The command completed successfully" when it is done.

This method bypasses the Settings interface entirely and works on local accounts even when Settings is not responding. It does not work on Microsoft accounts — those must be changed through Settings or through the Microsoft account website.

Making your new password harder to guess

A strong password uses at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "Tr0pic@lSunset42" is stronger than "password123" because it uses all four types of characters and is longer.

Avoid passwords based on your name, birthdate, or common words. Avoid reusing a password you have used on other websites or accounts — if one site gets hacked, attackers will try that same password everywhere. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate random passwords and remember them for you, so you only have to remember one master password.

What happens if you forget your new password

If you set up a password reset disk before you forgot your password, plug it in at the sign-in screen, click Reset password, and follow the prompts. The disk lets you create a new password without needing to remember the old one.

If you use a Microsoft account and did not create a reset disk, go to account.microsoft.com on another computer or phone, click Security, then Change password. You will need to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number linked to your account. After you change it there, you can sign into Windows with the new password.

If you use a local account and have no reset disk, you will need to reset Windows or contact a local computer repair shop — there is no built-in recovery path for local accounts without a reset disk.

Why change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months reduces the window of time that a stolen or guessed password can be used to access your account. If someone obtained your old password through a data breach at another company, changing it means that password no longer works on your computer.

You do not need to change your password every month if you use a strong, unique password that you have not reused anywhere else. The bigger risk is using a weak password or the same password across multiple sites. A password you change once a year but never reuse is safer than a weak password you change every month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, documents, and installed programs remain exactly as they are. Only the password you use to sign in changes. You will still see all your files and folders after you sign back in.

Can I change my password if I am not the administrator?

Yes. Any user account can change its own password through Settings or Command Prompt. You do not need administrator rights to change the password for your own account. If you need to change someone else's password, you do need administrator access.

What if I change my password and then forget it when ready?

If you have not signed out yet, you can go back to Settings and change it again — just follow the same steps. Once you sign out, you will need a password reset disk or Microsoft account recovery method to get back in. This is why typing your new password twice in Settings is important: it catches typos before you lock yourself out.

Does Windows 10 require a password?

No. You can remove your password entirely and use a PIN or Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint) instead. You can also set up a passwordless sign-in. However, a password is the most portable option if you ever need to sign in on a different computer or reset your account.

Will my Microsoft account password change on other devices?

Yes. If you change the password for a Microsoft account, that new password works on all devices where you are signed in with that account — your phone, tablet, other computers, and the web. If you change a local account password, it only affects that specific computer.