The fastest way to change your password

On Windows 10 or 11, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time, then select Change a password from the menu that appears. Type your current password, then type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Confirm password" field. Press Enter. Your password changes when ready.

If that menu does not appear, or if you are on an older version of Windows, you can change your password through Settings instead. This method works the same way on any recent Windows version and takes about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest method is pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting "Change a password" — this works on Windows 10 and 11.
  • Your new password must be at least one character different from your old one, and Windows will reject it if it is too similar.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you cannot undo the change — write it down or save it in a password manager before you close the window.
  • Changing your password does not sign you out of other devices or websites — you will need to sign in again separately on each one.

Using Settings to change your password

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Select Accounts from the left menu, then select Sign-in options.

Under the "Password" section, click Change. Windows will ask you to confirm your current password — type it and click Next. Then type your new password in the first box, type it again in the second box to confirm it, and click Next. A confirmation screen will appear; click Finish to complete the change.

What makes a strong password Windows will accept

Windows requires your new password to be different from your old one, but it does not enforce a specific length or complexity. However, a strong password is one that is hard for someone else to guess. A good approach is to use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, "BlueSky#2024Home" is stronger than "password123".

Avoid using your username, your name, or common words. Do not reuse a password you have used on other accounts. If you use the same password everywhere and someone guesses it, they can access all your accounts at once. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate and store strong passwords so you do not have to remember them.

If you are on a work or school network

Some workplaces and schools manage Windows passwords through a network domain. If you see a message saying "You do not have permission to change your password" or "This operation is not permitted", your password is controlled by your organization's IT department, not by you.

Contact your IT support team or help desk to request a password change. They may send you a link to change it yourself, or they may change it for you and send you a temporary password to use on your next login.

Changing your password on the sign-in screen

If you are locked out of Windows or want to change your password before you log in, you can do this from the sign-in screen. On the sign-in screen, look for a link that says "Sign-in options" or a question mark icon. Click it, then look for an option to change your password — the exact wording varies by Windows version.

If you do not see this option, restart your computer and try again. Some versions of Windows hide this option until you have tried to sign in at least once. If you still cannot find it, use the Ctrl + Alt + Delete method after you sign in.

What happens after you change your password

Your Windows password change takes effect when ready on that computer. However, if you use the same Microsoft account on multiple devices — a laptop, a tablet, or another desktop — you will need to sign in again on each device with your new password. Windows will not automatically update your password across all devices.

Changing your Windows password does not change your password on websites, email accounts, or other services. If you use the same password for your Microsoft account and your email, you will need to change your email password separately. If you use a password manager, update it there as well so you do not lose track of your new password.

Troubleshooting if the change does not work

If you see an error message like "The password does not meet the complexity requirements", your new password may be too similar to your old one, or it may contain characters Windows does not accept. Try a password that is clearly different — change at least three characters, and avoid special symbols if you are not sure which ones are allowed.

If the change appears to work but you cannot sign in with your new password afterward, restart your computer and try signing in again. Sometimes Windows needs a moment to sync the change. If you still cannot sign in, you may have typed your new password differently the second time you entered it. Use the Ctrl + Alt + Delete method to try changing it again, and type slowly to make sure both entries match exactly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password if I forgot my current one?

No — Windows requires you to enter your current password to change it. If you have forgotten it, you will need to reset it instead, which is a different process. Contact Microsoft support or your IT department for a password reset.

Will changing my password sign me out of everything?

Changing your Windows password signs you out of your current Windows session, and you will need to sign in again with your new password. However, it does not automatically sign you out of websites, email, or other services on that computer — you will stay logged in to those until you close your browser or they time out.

How often should I change my password?

Most security experts now recommend changing your password only when you suspect it has been compromised, rather than on a fixed schedule. If you think someone else knows your password, change it right away. If your password is strong and unique, you do not need to change it regularly.

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

Windows does not have an undo button for password changes. If you forget your new password right after changing it, you will need to reset it through your Microsoft account recovery options or contact your IT department. This is why it is a good idea to write down or save your new password in a password manager before you close the change window.

Does changing my Windows password change my Microsoft account password?

Not necessarily. If you sign in with a Microsoft account (an email address), changing your Windows password may or may not change your Microsoft account password depending on your setup. If you want to change your Microsoft account password itself, go to account.microsoft.com and change it there separately.