The fastest way to change your password

On Windows 10 or Windows 11, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the login screen or from your desktop, then select Change a password. Type your current password, then enter your new password twice. Windows will confirm the change when ready and you can log in with the new password on your next restart.

If you are already logged in and want to change your password without restarting, this method works from anywhere on your computer. You do not need to go into Settings or find a control panel. The keyboard shortcut brings up the same find password window that Windows uses for login.

If the Ctrl + Alt + Delete method does not work — for example, if you are using a Microsoft account instead of a local account — the Settings route below will work instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Change a password to update your login password in seconds without restarting.
  • If you use a Microsoft account, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and select Change your password instead.
  • Your new password takes effect when ready; you will use it the next time you log in.
  • If you forget your new password before you log in again, you will need to use your recovery email or phone number to reset it.

Changing your password through Windows Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Your info at the top.

Look for a button labeled Change your password or Password (the exact label depends on whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account). Click it, then enter your current password when prompted. Windows will ask you to create a new password and confirm it by typing it a second time.

After you submit the new password, Windows will show a confirmation message. You can close Settings. The next time you log in — whether that is after a restart or after you lock your screen — use your new password.

What to do if you do not remember your current password

If you cannot log in because you forgot your password, you cannot change it from within Windows. Instead, you will need to reset it using a recovery method that you set up earlier.

At the Windows login screen, click I forgot my password below the password box. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address, a phone number, or security questions — whichever method you chose when you first set up your account. After you verify, you can create a new password and log in when ready.

If you did not set up a recovery method and you cannot remember your password, you will need to contact Microsoft support or use a local administrator account on the same computer to reset your password. This process is more involved and may require proof that you own the computer.

Choosing a strong password you can remember

Windows does not require passwords to be a certain length or contain numbers and symbols, but a stronger password is harder for someone else to guess. A good approach is to use a phrase you can remember — like the name of a pet plus a year plus a symbol — rather than a single dictionary word.

For example, "Whiskers2019!" is stronger than "password" or "whiskers" alone. Avoid using your username, your name, or words that appear in your account information. If you use the same password on multiple websites, change it on those sites too, because a password stolen from one place can be used to access others.

If you have trouble remembering passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager in Microsoft Edge. These tools store your passwords securely and fill them in automatically, so you only need to remember one strong master password.

Changing the password for a different user account

If you are an administrator on the computer, you can change another user's password without knowing their current password. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Other users on the left sidebar.

Click the account you want to change, then select Change password. You will not be asked for the old password. Enter a new password, confirm it, and click Next. The next time that user logs in, they will use the new password you created.

This is useful if someone forgets their password and you need to get them back into their account quickly. However, they should change the password again to something only they know as soon as they log in.

Why your password might not change

If you enter your current password correctly but Windows says the password is wrong, make sure Caps Lock is off. Windows passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" and "password" are different. Also check that you are not accidentally typing in a different keyboard language or layout.

If you are using a Microsoft account and you changed your password on another device or on the Microsoft website, wait a few minutes before trying to change it on your computer. Microsoft sometimes takes a moment to sync the change across devices.

If you see an error message saying your password does not meet complexity requirements, your organization may have set rules about password length or character types. Try adding a number or symbol, or making the password longer.

What happens after you change your password

Your new password takes effect when ready on the computer where you changed it. If you use a Microsoft account and you are signed in on other devices — like a phone, tablet, or another computer — you will need to sign in again on those devices with your new password. Windows will prompt you to do this the next time you try to use them.

Any programs that were storing your old password — like email clients, cloud storage apps, or web browsers — will not automatically update. You may need to enter your new password in those programs manually, or they may prompt you to update it the next time you open them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without logging in?

No. You must be logged in or at the login screen to change your password. If you forgot your password and cannot log in, use the "I forgot my password" option at the login screen to reset it instead.

Will changing my password log me out of other devices?

If you use a Microsoft account, changing your password on one device does not automatically log you out of others, but you will be prompted to sign in again with your new password the next time you use them. If you use a local account, the password change only affects that specific computer.

How often should I change my password?

There is no fixed rule. Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. For accounts you use every day, changing it once or twice a year is reasonable.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one before logging in again?

Use the "I forgot my password" option at the login screen and verify your identity with your recovery email or phone number. You can then create another new password and log in.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Yes. Windows does not prevent you from reusing an old password. However, it is more find to choose a password you have not used recently, especially if the old password was ever compromised.