The fastest way: Settings menu

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Sign-in options. Under the "Password" section, click Change.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it and click Next. Then enter your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and again in the "Reenter password" field to confirm you typed it correctly. Click Next, then Finish. Your password changes when ready.

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.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the standard way to change your password and takes about two minutes from start to finish.
  • You must know your current password before you can create a new one — Windows requires you to enter it first as a security check.
  • Your new password takes effect the next time you sign in, not when ready; you stay signed in with the old password until you restart or sign out.
  • If you forget your password after changing it, you can reset it using a password hint, a recovery email, or a recovery code, depending on your account type.

What happens if you forget your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, you need to reset your password at the sign-in screen. Restart your computer and wait for the login screen to appear. Click I forgot my password below the password field.

Windows will ask you to verify your identity. If you use a Microsoft account, you can receive a code by email or text message to the phone number or email address linked to your account. If you use a local account, Windows will ask you to answer a security question you set up when you created the account. Answer correctly, and you can create a new password without knowing the old one.

If you set up a password reset disk on a USB drive before you forgot your password, you can use that disk instead. Insert it into your computer at the sign-in screen, click Reset password, and follow the prompts.

Creating a password Windows will accept

Windows 10 does not require passwords to be complex — you can use a straightforward four-letter word if you want. However, Microsoft recommends using at least 8 characters and mixing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make your password harder to guess.

Avoid using your username, your name, or words that appear in a dictionary. Do not reuse a password you have used on other websites or accounts. If someone breaks into one account, they will try the same password on your other accounts.

Write your new password down and store it somewhere safe — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, or a locked safe. Do not email it to yourself or store it in a text file on your desktop.

The difference between changing and resetting your password

Changing your password means you know the old one and you are creating a new one while signed in. Resetting your password means you forgot the old one and you are creating a new one at the sign-in screen without entering the old password. The end result is the same — you have a new password — but the path is different.

If you are signed in and straightforward want a new password for security reasons, use the Settings method. If you are locked out because you forgot your password, use the reset method at the sign-in screen. Do not confuse the two, because trying to reset a password you actually know will waste time.

Why your password might not change

If you click Finish but the change does not seem to take effect, the most common reason is that you are still signed in with the old password. Your new password only becomes active the next time you sign in. Sign out completely (click the Start menu, click your username, then click Sign out) and sign back in with your new password to confirm it worked.

If you see an error message saying your password does not meet requirements, it usually means you used a character Windows does not allow, or your password is too short. Try a different password with at least 8 characters, using letters and numbers. If the error persists, restart your computer and try again.

If you are using a Microsoft account and you change your password on this computer, that new password also works on any other Windows device, your phone, or the Microsoft website. If you are using a local account, the password only works on this specific computer.

Using a PIN or Windows Hello instead

Windows 10 lets you sign in with a PIN (a four-digit number), a fingerprint, or facial recognition instead of typing a password. You can set these up in Settings under Accounts > Sign-in options. These methods are faster than typing a password, but you still need a password as a backup in case your fingerprint reader breaks or you forget your PIN.

If you set up a PIN or Windows Hello, you can still change your password using the Settings method described above. The password and the PIN are separate — changing one does not affect the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my new password to work?

Your new password takes effect when ready after you click Finish in Settings, but you will not be forced to use it until you sign out and sign back in. You can stay signed in with the old password until you restart your computer or manually sign out.

Can I change my password from another computer?

If you use a Microsoft account, you can change your password at account.microsoft.com from any computer with internet access. If you use a local account, you can only change it on that specific computer.

What if I see "You do not have permission to change your password"?

This usually means your computer is connected to a work or school network that controls passwords centrally. Contact your IT department or help desk — they manage password changes for network accounts, not you.

Will changing my password sign me out of Microsoft apps?

No. Changing your Windows password does not sign you out of Outlook, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, or other Microsoft apps. You stay signed in until you manually sign out or restart your computer.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Windows allows it, but it defeats the purpose of changing your password. If you change your password for security reasons, use something completely different from your old one.