The fastest way: use Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete at the same time on your keyboard. A menu will appear with several options. Click Change a password. Windows will then ask for your current password, then prompt you to type your new password twice to make sure you typed it correctly. Once you confirm, your password is changed when ready.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and it is the quickest route if you are already logged in. You do not need to restart your computer or sign out first.

Key Takeaways

  • Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete and selecting Change a password is the fastest method and takes about one minute.
  • You must type your new password the same way twice, and Windows will reject it if the two entries do not match exactly.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you cannot undo the change — you will need to reset it using your security questions or recovery email.
  • Changing your password does not sign you out of other devices; you will need to sign out manually on phones, tablets, or other computers.

Using Settings if Ctrl+Alt+Delete does not work

If the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method does not open a menu, or if you prefer a different route, you can change your password through Settings. Click the Windows Start button (the logo in the bottom left), then type Settings and press Enter. The Settings window will open.

Once Settings is open, click Accounts on the left side. Then click Sign-in options. Under the "Password" section, click the button that says Change. Windows will ask you to confirm your current password first, then prompt you to create a new one. Type your new password twice to confirm it matches, then click Next and then Finish.

What to do if you have a Microsoft account

If you sign into Windows using a Microsoft account (the same email and password you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), changing your Windows password also changes your Microsoft account password everywhere. This means you will be signed out of Outlook, OneDrive, and any other Microsoft services on your computer and phone.

Before you change your password, make sure you know your recovery email address or have access to your phone number. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity before allowing the change. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, you may not be able to change your password through Windows — you would need to go to account.microsoft.com on another device instead.

Choosing a password Windows will accept

Windows does not enforce strict password rules the way some websites do, but your password must be at least one character long. In practice, a strong password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or @). Avoid using your username, your computer name, or words that appear in a dictionary.

Your new password is case-sensitive, meaning that "Password123" is different from "password123". Write down your new password somewhere safe before you confirm the change, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it. If you forget your password after changing it, you will have to reset it using your security questions or recovery email, which takes longer.

Signing out of other devices after you change your password

Changing your Windows password does not automatically sign you out of other computers, phones, or tablets where you are logged in with the same account. If you changed your password because you think someone else has access to your account, you should manually sign out of other devices.

On your phone or tablet, go to Settings, find your account name, and look for an option to sign out or remove the account. On another Windows computer, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and click Sign out. On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Internet Accounts, select your account, and click the minus button to remove it. You will then need to sign back in with your new password on each device.

What happens if you forget your new password right away

If you change your password and then forget it before you close the Settings window or restart your computer, you cannot undo the change. Windows does not have an "undo password change" feature. Instead, you will need to reset your password using your security questions or recovery email.

On the Windows sign-in screen, click I forgot my password. Windows will ask you to answer the security questions you set up when you created your account, or it will send a code to your recovery email address. Once you verify your identity, you can create a new password. This process usually takes a few minutes, but it requires that you remember your security questions or have access to your recovery email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password if I do not remember my current one?

No, the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method and the Settings method both require you to type your current password first. If you do not remember it, you will need to reset your password instead using your security questions or recovery email on the Windows sign-in screen.

Will changing my password sign me out of Windows?

No. After you change your password, you stay signed in to Windows on that computer. You will only need to use your new password the next time you sign in or wake your computer from sleep.

Does changing my Windows password change my email password too?

Only if you use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows. If you use a local account (a password that only works on that computer), changing your Windows password does not affect your email or any other accounts.

How long does it take to change my password?

The change takes effect when ready. If you use the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method, the whole process takes about one minute. If you use Settings, it takes about two to three minutes.

What if I see an error message when I try to change my password?

The most common error is "The passwords do not match," which means you typed your new password differently the two times. Try again and type slowly, or paste your password from a text editor to avoid typos. If you see a different error, restart your computer and try again through Settings instead of Ctrl+Alt+Delete.