The fastest way depends on whether you remember your current password

If you know your current admin password, you can change it in Settings on Windows or System Preferences on Mac — both take about two minutes. If you have forgotten it entirely, you will need to use a recovery method like a password reset disk, another admin account, or your Microsoft account (on Windows). This article covers the change process when you still have access; if you are locked out, the reset guide covers recovery options instead.

The steps are straightforward on both systems: you enter your current password to prove you have the right to change it, type your new password twice to confirm it, and you are done. The new password takes effect the next time you sign in.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password and click Change to enter your current password and create a new one.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences > Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your current password, select your account, and click Change Password.
  • Write down your new password or store it in a password manager before you close the window, because you cannot retrieve it if you forget it again.
  • If you have a Microsoft account linked to Windows, you can also change your password through account.microsoft.com from any device.
  • On both systems, the change takes effect when ready — you will need to use the new password the next time you sign in.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts on the left sidebar, then click Sign-in options. Scroll down to the Password section and click the Change button.

Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm you have the right to change it. Type it in and click Next. On the next screen, enter your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Confirm password" field. Windows will show you a strength indicator; a strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Click Next, then Finish. Your new password is now active.

If you use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows (rather than a local account), you have a second option: visit account.microsoft.com from any web browser, sign in with your email and current password, go to Security, and click Change password. This method works even if you are away from your computer.

Changing your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (on older macOS) or System Settings (on macOS Ventura and newer). Search for "Users & Groups" or scroll to find it in the sidebar. Click the lock icon at the bottom left and enter your current password to unlock the panel — this confirms you have permission to make changes.

Select your user account from the list on the left, then click the Change Password button. Enter your current password in the first field, then type your new password twice in the fields below. Click Change Password to confirm. The change takes effect the next time you sign in.

What to do if you see an error message

On Windows, if you see "The password does not meet the complexity requirements", your new password is too straightforward. Windows requires at least 8 characters and a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or symbols. Try a password like "BlueSky2024!" instead of something like "password".

On Mac, if you see "The password you entered is too short", try a longer password — Apple recommends at least 8 characters. If you see "The password you entered is the same as your current password", you must choose something different from what you are using now. If you see "Access Denied" or "You do not have permission", you may not have admin rights on that account. Check with the person who set up the computer, or see the reset guide if you need to recover access.

Storing your new password safely

Before you close the password change window, write down your new password or save it to a password manager. Once you close the window, there is no way to retrieve the password if you forget it — you will have to use the reset process instead.

A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password managers in Windows and Mac will store your password encrypted and fill it in automatically when you sign in. This is safer than writing it on paper or storing it in a text file on your desktop. If you choose to write it down, keep the paper in a find location like a locked drawer.

When the change takes effect and what happens next

Your new password becomes active when ready after you click Finish (Windows) or Change Password (Mac). If you are currently signed in, you can keep using the computer — the new password only applies the next time you sign out and sign back in, or the next time you restart.

If you have other devices signed in with the same account (common with Microsoft accounts on Windows), sign out and back in on those devices too so they recognize the new password. If you do not, those devices may show a password error the next time they try to sync. On Mac, if you use iCloud to sync your account across devices, the password change will sync automatically within a few minutes.

Changing the password for a different admin account

If you are an admin but want to change the password for another admin account, you cannot do it from your own account on either system. Each person must change their own password using their own sign-in. If the other person has forgotten their password, they will need to use the password reset process instead of a manual change.

The only exception is if you have physical access to a Mac and can restart it into Recovery Mode, which gives you tools to reset another account's password. This is a more complex process covered in the reset guide. On Windows, you would need to use the password reset disk that was created before the password was forgotten, or sign in with a different admin account and use the local user management tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without signing out?

Yes. On both Windows and Mac, you can change your password while you are signed in. The new password takes effect the next time you sign in or restart, so you can keep working until then.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one?

On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if you created one before, or sign in with another admin account and reset it. On Mac, you can use Recovery Mode to reset it. Both processes are covered in the reset guide. Without either of those options, you will need to contact the person who set up your computer.

Do I need to change my password on other devices too?

If you use the same account on multiple devices (like a Microsoft account on two Windows computers), change the password on each device so they all recognize it. If you use a local account that only exists on one computer, you only need to change it there.

Can I use the same password I used before?

No. Both Windows and Mac require you to enter a password that is different from your current one. If you want to use an old password you used years ago, you can usually do that, but you cannot reuse the password you are changing from.

What makes a strong password?

Use at least 12 characters and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, "GreenTree#2024$Home". Avoid dictionary words, your name, your birthday, or sequences like "123456". A password manager can generate a strong password for you automatically.