The fastest way depends on whether you remember your current password

If you know your current admin password, you can change it in about two minutes through your system settings. If you have forgotten it entirely, you will need to use a recovery method — either a password reset disk you created earlier, a recovery email address linked to your account, or a secondary admin account on the same computer. The path you take depends on what you set up before you locked yourself out.

This guide covers both scenarios. The key difference: changing a password you remember is a settings task. Resetting one you have forgotten requires proof that you own the account or computer, which takes longer and sometimes requires outside help.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings > Accounts > Your info and select "Change your password" if you remember the current one.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, then click the lock icon and enter your current password to change it.
  • If you have forgotten your password, Windows will ask for a recovery email or phone number; Mac will ask for your Apple ID or a recovery key.
  • A password reset disk created before you forgot the password is the fastest recovery method on Windows.
  • If you have no recovery method set up, you may need to contact Microsoft or Apple support, or reset your computer to factory settings.

Changing your password on Windows when you remember it

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box. Click the Settings app. Navigate to Accounts in the left sidebar, then click Your info.

On the right side of the screen, you will see a section labeled "Account settings." Click the button that says Change your password. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm your identity. Type it in and click Next.

You will then see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it, and one for a password hint. The hint is optional but useful — it appears on the login screen if you mistype your password, so choose something only you would understand. Click Next when you are done, then Finish. You will be asked to sign in again with your new password.

Changing your password on Mac when you remember it

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General, then scroll down and click Login Items & Extensions.

At the top of the window, you will see a lock icon. Click it. Mac will ask you to enter your current admin password. Type it in and click Unlock. You will now see a button labeled Change Password. Click it.

Mac will ask for your current password one more time, then show you fields for your new password and confirmation. Enter both and click Change Password. You will need to sign out and back in to use the new password on your next login.

If you have forgotten your Windows password

On the Windows login screen, click I forgot my password below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up when you created your account.

If you set up a recovery email, Windows will send you a link. Click the link, enter a new password, and return to the login screen to sign in. If you set up a phone number instead, Windows will send a code via text or call. Enter the code on the login screen, then create a new password.

If you have no recovery email or phone number on file, Windows will offer to use a password reset disk if you created one before. Insert the disk, click Reset password, and follow the prompts. If you have no disk and no recovery method, you will need to contact Microsoft support or reset your computer, which erases all files.

If you have forgotten your Mac password

Restart your Mac and hold down the power button until you see "Loading startup options." Select your startup disk and click Next. You will be taken to a login screen. Click the question mark icon next to the password field.

Mac will ask you to verify your identity using your Apple ID. Enter the email address and password associated with your Apple ID account. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com using your recovery email or phone number.

Once you have verified your Apple ID, Mac will let you create a new admin password. You will then be able to log in with the new password. If you do not have an Apple ID linked to your account, or if you cannot access it, you will need a recovery key that was generated when you set up your Mac, or you will need to contact Apple support.

Why you should change your password regularly

Your admin password is the master key to your computer. Anyone who knows it can install software, delete files, create new accounts, or access everything on the machine. Changing it every few months, especially after someone else has used your computer or if you have shared it with a technician, reduces the window of time a compromised password can be used.

If you suspect someone knows your password — because you shared it with a repair person, because you typed it on a public computer, or because you reused it on a website that was breached — change it when ready. A strong password is 12 characters or longer and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid words from the dictionary, your name, or dates of birth.

Setting up recovery methods before you need them

The easiest way to avoid being locked out is to set up recovery options now, while you still have access. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and scroll down to "Recovery options." Add a recovery email address and phone number. You can also create a password reset disk by typing "Create a password reset disk" into the Start menu search.

On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, click the lock, and look for "Reset Password." If you see an option to create a recovery key, do it now and store the key somewhere safe — not on your computer. You can also make sure your Apple ID is linked to your account by going to System Settings > General > About and checking that your Apple ID appears under "User Account."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password if I do not remember the old one?

Not directly — you will need to use a recovery method first. On Windows, use your recovery email, phone, or password reset disk. On Mac, use your Apple ID or recovery key. Once you have reset your password, you can then change it again if you want.

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

You will go through the same recovery process. This is why setting up recovery options before you need them matters. Without them, you may not be able to regain access to your computer without professional help or a factory reset.

Do I need to change my password if someone else used my computer but I was there?

Not necessarily, but it depends on whether they could have seen or memorized it. If they watched you type it or if you told them what it is, change it. If they only used the computer while you were logged in, your password was not exposed.

Will changing my admin password affect my other accounts on the computer?

No. Each user account on your computer has its own password. Changing your admin password does not change passwords for other people's accounts or for websites and apps you use.

What should I do if I cannot remember my recovery email or phone number?

On Windows, contact Microsoft support with proof of ownership of the computer or account. On Mac, contact Apple support. Both may ask for your serial number, proof of purchase, or other verification. If you cannot provide it, a factory reset may be your only option.