The quickest way to change your password

On Windows 10 or 11, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the login screen or from your desktop. A menu will appear with several options. Select Change a password. You will be prompted to enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Windows will tell you when ready if the change worked.

This method works whether you use a Microsoft account (the email address you sign in with) or a local account (a username created just on this computer). The process is the same either way, and the change takes effect the next time you log in.

If you are at the login screen and have forgotten your password entirely, this method will not work — you will need to use the password reset options covered in a later section.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Change a password to update your login password on any Windows 10 or 11 computer.
  • You must know your current password to change it using this method; if you have forgotten it, you will need to use Windows password recovery instead.
  • A strong password contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.
  • If you use a Microsoft account, you can also change your password through the Microsoft account website, and the change will sync to your computer within a few minutes.

Changing your password from Settings

Windows 10 and 11 also let you change your password through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Accounts in the left sidebar. Select Sign-in options.

Under the Password section, click Change. You will see a blue button labeled Next. Click it, then enter your current password and click Next again. Now type your new password in the first box, type it again in the second box to confirm, and add a password hint if you want one. Click Next, then Finish.

This route takes a few more clicks than Ctrl + Alt + Delete, but some people find it easier to follow because each step is labeled clearly on the screen.

What makes a strong password

A password that is hard to guess protects your files, your email, and anything else connected to your Windows account. Windows does not force you to use a strong password, but you should. A strong password has at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #.

Avoid passwords based on your name, birthdate, or words from the dictionary. Avoid repeating the same character or using patterns like 1234. Do not use a password you have used on other websites or accounts — if one site is breached, attackers will try that password everywhere.

A passphrase — four or five random words strung together, like "purple-elephant-kitchen-Tuesday" — is often easier to remember than a random string of characters and just as hard to crack.

Changing your Microsoft account password online

If you sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account (an email address), you can change your password on the Microsoft website instead of on your computer. Go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in. Click your name or profile picture in the top right, then select Account.

On the left sidebar, click Security. Under the Password section, click Change password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Next, then Finish.

The change will sync to your Windows computer within a few minutes. The next time you restart your computer or sign out and back in, you will use the new password. This method is useful if you want to change your password from a phone or tablet, or if you prefer to manage your account online.

What to do if you have forgotten your password

If you cannot remember your current password and are locked out of your computer, you have two main paths depending on what type of account you use.

For a Microsoft account, go to the Windows login screen and click I forgot my password below the password box. Windows will walk you through recovering your account using a recovery email or phone number you set up earlier. You will receive a code, enter it on the screen, and then create a new password.

For a local account, the process is harder because there is no online recovery option. If you set up a password hint when you created the account, click the password box and wait a few seconds — the hint will appear. If you did not set a hint, you will need to restart your computer in Safe Mode and use a recovery disk, or contact Microsoft support for further guidance. This is why using a Microsoft account is often simpler: it gives you a way back in if you forget.

Syncing your password across devices

If you use a Microsoft account on multiple Windows computers, changing your password on one computer will change it on all of them — but the sync can take a few minutes. If you change your password on your laptop, for example, you may still be able to sign in to your desktop with the old password for a short time until the change reaches that device.

If you change your password on the Microsoft website, the sync usually happens faster than if you change it on a single computer. For this reason, if you own multiple Windows devices, changing your password at account.microsoft.com is often the clearest approach.

Troubleshooting password changes that do not work

If you enter your new password but Windows says the change failed, the most common cause is that your new password does not meet Windows' requirements. Windows requires at least 8 characters. Some organizations add stricter rules — for example, a work computer might require 14 characters or a symbol. If you see an error message, read it carefully; it will tell you what rule your password broke.

If you are on a work or school network, your IT department may have set rules that prevent you from changing your password through Settings or Ctrl + Alt + Delete. In that case, you will see a message saying your password is managed by your organization. Contact your IT support team — they may have a separate process for password changes, or they may need to change it for you.

If you changed your password but cannot sign in with the new one, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes Windows needs a moment to finish writing the change to disk. If the problem persists, use Ctrl + Alt + Delete again and verify you are typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" is different from "password".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Windows password without knowing the old one?

No, not through the normal change process. You must enter your current password first. If you have forgotten it, use the password recovery option on the login screen instead — for Microsoft accounts, this sends a code to your recovery email or phone.

How often should I change my Windows password?

There is no single right answer. If you use a strong, unique password and have not seen signs of a breach, changing it once a year is reasonable. If you suspect someone else knows your password, or if you use the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites was breached, change it right away.

Will changing my password log me out of other apps?

Not usually. Apps that are already signed in will stay signed in. However, if an app asks you to sign in again, use your new password. If you use your Windows password to sign in to Microsoft services like Outlook or OneDrive, those will ask for the new password the next time you open them.

What if I use Windows Hello or a PIN instead of a password?

Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint) and PINs are separate from your password. If you change your password, your PIN and Windows Hello will still work. However, if you ever need to sign in with your password instead — for example, after a major Windows update — you will use the new password, not the old one.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Windows will let you reuse an old password, but it is not a good idea. If someone learned your old password, reusing it leaves you vulnerable. Choose a new, strong password instead.