The fastest way to change your password

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings icon. Go to 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, then your new password twice. Type a password you have not used before — Windows will reject it if you have used it recently on this account.

After you click Next and then Finish, you are done. Your new password takes effect when ready. The next time you sign in, use the new password instead of the old one.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the standard way to change your password and takes about two minutes from start to finish.
  • Windows requires you to enter your current password before it will let you create a new one, as a security check.
  • If you have forgotten your current password, you cannot use this method — you will need to use the password reset option on the sign-in screen instead.
  • Your new password must be different from passwords you have used on this account in the past, usually within the last several months.
  • If you use a Microsoft account instead of a local account, you can also change your password from the Microsoft website, and it will update on all your devices.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, go to the Windows sign-in screen and click I forgot my password below the password box. Windows will walk you through a reset process that usually involves answering security questions you set up earlier, or receiving a code by email or text message.

The exact steps depend on what recovery method you chose when you first set up your account. If you set up a security key or a backup phone number, Windows will ask you to use one of those. If you did not set up any recovery method, you may not be able to reset your password without help from Microsoft support.

Changing your password on a Microsoft account versus a local account

Windows 10 accounts come in two types: Microsoft accounts (which use an email address and sync across devices) and local accounts (which exist only on that one computer). The Settings method works the same way for both, but Microsoft accounts have an extra option.

If you use a Microsoft account, you can also change your password from the Microsoft account website at account.microsoft.com. Sign in, go to Security, and select Change your password. This change will take effect on all devices where you use that Microsoft account — your laptop, tablet, or other computers. A local account password only changes on the computer where you changed it.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

Changing your password occasionally is a common security practice, especially if you think someone else might know it or if you have used it on a website that was hacked. You do not need to change it constantly — once or twice a year is reasonable for a home computer that only you use.

If you share your computer with other people, each person should have their own account with their own password rather than sharing one password. This way, each person's files and settings stay separate, and you can see who made changes to the computer.

Creating a strong password you can actually remember

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "MyDog!Loves2Swim" is stronger than "password123" because it is longer and uses different types of characters. Windows will accept any password you create as long as it is different from your recent passwords.

If you struggle to remember complex passwords, consider using a passphrase instead — a sentence or phrase that is straightforward for you to remember but hard for someone else to guess. "ILived!InBoston!From2010to2015" is both strong and memorable. Write it down in a physical notebook that you keep in a safe place, not in a text file on your computer.

What happens if you change your password and then forget it again

If you change your password and then cannot remember the new one, use the I forgot my password link on the sign-in screen again. The reset process will work the same way — you will answer security questions or use a recovery method. You do not need to remember your old password to reset to a new one.

If you have not set up any recovery method and you forget your new password, you may be locked out of your account. Before you change your password, make sure you have at least one recovery option set up: a backup email address, a phone number, or security questions with answers only you would know.

Changing your password on a work or school computer

If your Windows 10 computer is managed by an employer or school, you may not be able to change your password through Settings. Instead, your organization may require you to change it through their own system or website. Check with your IT department or help desk before trying the Settings method — they may have specific rules about password length, complexity, or how often you must change it.

Some organizations use a system called Active Directory that controls passwords across multiple computers. If that is the case, changing your password in Settings might not work, or the change might not take effect on all your work devices. Your IT department can tell you the correct way to change your password for your organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Windows password from my phone or tablet?

If you use a Microsoft account, yes — you can change your password on the Microsoft website from any device with a web browser. If you use a local account, you can only change it from that specific computer.

Will changing my password sign me out of everything?

No. You stay signed in on the computer where you changed it. If you use a Microsoft account on multiple devices, the new password takes effect on all of them, but you will not be signed out — you will just use the new password the next time you sign in.

What if Windows says my new password is too weak?

Windows does not actually reject weak passwords — it will accept almost anything you type. If you see a warning, it is just informing you that your password is straightforward. You can ignore it and use the password anyway, but a longer or more complex password is safer.

Do I need to change my password if I change my PIN?

No. Your PIN and your password are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. You can use either one to sign in, and they can be completely different.

What if I change my password but it does not work when I try to sign in?

Make sure you are typing the exact password you created, including capital letters and symbols in the right places. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". If you are still stuck, use the password reset option on the sign-in screen.