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 select 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 again in the "Reenter password" field to make sure you typed it correctly. Click Next, then Finish. You can sign out and back in when ready to test the new password, or wait until your next login.

This method works whether you use a Microsoft account (the kind that syncs across devices) or a local account (one that exists only on this computer). The process is the same either way.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the simplest route: open Settings, go to Accounts, click Sign-in options, then click Change under Password.
  • Windows requires you to enter your current password before creating a new one, so you must remember what you are using now.
  • You must type your new password twice to confirm you did not make a typo, and Windows will reject mismatched entries.
  • If you forget your password after changing it, you can reset it using a password hint, a recovery email, or a recovery code — depending on your account type.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, use the password reset option on the sign-in screen. At the login screen, click I forgot my password (or Reset password, depending on your Windows version). Windows will walk you through recovery steps.

For a Microsoft account, you can reset using a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier. Windows sends a code to that email or phone, you enter the code, and then you create a new password. For a local account, you can answer a security question you created when you first set up the account. If you did not set up recovery options, you will need to use a password reset disk (if you made one before) or contact Microsoft Support.

Using Command Prompt if Settings does not open

In rare cases, Settings may not launch or may freeze. You can change your password from Command Prompt instead. Press the Windows key, type "cmd", right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

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

This method bypasses the Settings interface entirely and works even if your account is having display problems. You do not need to enter your old password using this route.

Changing a password on someone else's computer

If you are an administrator on the computer and need to change another user's password, open Settings, go to Accounts, then click Other people. Find the account you want to change, click it, then click Change password. You will not need the old password — Windows lets administrators reset passwords without knowing them.

The person who owns that account will be able to sign in with the new password you set. If you want them to change it again later, they can use the Settings method described in the first section. Let them know the temporary password you created so they can log in and change it to something only they know.

Making your new password stronger

Windows does not require a strong password, but using one protects your files and accounts better. A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, "BlueSky#2024Rain" or "Coffee47@Morning". Avoid using your name, your username, or common words that appear in dictionaries.

If you use the same password on multiple websites or accounts, change those too. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store different passwords for each site so you only have to remember one master password. Windows itself does not include a built-in password manager, but Microsoft Edge (the browser that comes with Windows 10) can save passwords and fill them in automatically.

What happens if you change your password and cannot log back in

If you change your password and then cannot remember it, use the "I forgot my password" option on the sign-in screen. You will go through the same recovery process described in the second section. Have your recovery email or phone number ready, or be prepared to answer your security questions.

If you are locked out and have no recovery method set up, you will need to reset Windows using a recovery drive or reinstall Windows entirely. This is why setting up recovery options (email, phone number, or security questions) before you change your password is worth the few minutes it takes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart Windows after changing my password?

No. Your new password takes effect when ready. You can keep working, and the next time you sign out and back in, use the new password. Some programs that store your password (like Outlook or OneDrive) may ask you to enter it again the first time they run after the change.

Will changing my Windows password affect my Microsoft account password?

No. Your Windows password and your Microsoft account password are separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want to change your Microsoft account password (the one you use on outlook.com or other Microsoft services), you do that on the Microsoft website, not in Windows.

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

Yes. Any user can change their own password using Settings or Command Prompt. You only need administrator rights if you want to change someone else's password. If you are not an administrator and Settings asks for administrator permission, ask the person who set up the computer to make the change for you.

What if I see a message saying "The password does not meet complexity requirements"?

Your computer has a security policy that requires passwords to be stronger — usually at least 8 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Create a password that meets those rules. For example, "Spring2024#Garden" would pass most complexity checks.

Can I use a picture or PIN instead of a password?

Yes. Windows 10 lets you sign in with a PIN (a short number), a picture password (clicking points on an image), or Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint, if your computer has the hardware). You can set these up in Settings under Accounts and Sign-in options. You can use these methods alongside a traditional password, not instead of it.