Change your password through your Microsoft account settings

To change your Microsoft password, sign in to your account at account.microsoft.com, select Security from the left menu, then choose Change password. You'll enter your current password once, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Microsoft will send a confirmation email to your recovery email address when the change is complete.

The process takes about two minutes. Your new password takes effect immediately across all devices and services tied to that account — Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, Windows sign-in, and any other Microsoft products you use.

If you can't remember your current password, use the I forgot my password link on the sign-in screen instead. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number before letting you set a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, and choose Change password to update your password in one place.
  • Your new password works immediately on all devices and services connected to your Microsoft account.
  • If you forget your current password, use the recovery email or phone number linked to your account to verify your identity.
  • Microsoft sends a confirmation email when your password changes, so check your inbox to make sure the change was legitimate.
  • Changing your Microsoft password does not automatically sign you out of other devices, so you may need to sign back in manually.

What happens on your other devices after you change your password

When you change your Microsoft password, you stay signed in on the device you used to make the change. On other devices — your phone, tablet, or other computers — you'll usually stay signed in for a while longer because those devices cached your old credentials locally.

Eventually, those devices will prompt you to sign in again with your new password. The timing varies: Windows PCs may ask within hours, while phones and tablets might wait days. You can speed this up by manually signing out and signing back in on each device if you need the new password to take effect right away.

If you changed your password because you think your account was compromised, sign out of all devices immediately rather than waiting for the automatic prompt. Go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, then Recent activity to see which devices are currently signed in, and remove any you don't recognize.

Creating a strong password Microsoft will accept

Microsoft requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and include at least three of these four types: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A password like "BlueSky2024!" meets this requirement. A password like "password" does not, even if you add a number.

Avoid using your name, username, or words from a dictionary, because these are easier to guess. A random mix of words — like "CoffeeMountain7&" — is stronger than a pattern like "Password123" that follows a common structure.

If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager in your browser, let it generate a password for you. These tools create random combinations that are both strong and difficult to crack.

Signing out of your account on all devices at once

If you want to force every device to sign out immediately after changing your password, go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, then Recent activity. You'll see a list of devices currently signed in to your account, with their location and the last time they were used.

Click Review all activity to see the full list, then select any device and choose Sign out. You can sign out of multiple devices this way, though you'll need to do them one at a time. After you sign out, those devices will prompt you to sign in again with your new password the next time you try to use a Microsoft service.

This step is optional for a routine password change, but it's useful if you're concerned about unauthorized access or if you're selling or giving away a device and want to make sure it's no longer connected to your account.

Changing your password on a Windows PC without signing out

On a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, you can change your Microsoft password without leaving your desktop. Press the Windows key and type "change password," then select Change your password from the results. Windows will open a screen where you enter your current password, then your new password twice.

This method works only if you're already signed in to Windows with your Microsoft account. If you sign in with a local account instead, this option won't appear. You can still change your password through account.microsoft.com on any web browser.

After you change your password this way, Windows will ask you to sign in again to confirm the change. You'll use your new password from that point forward.

What to do if you see an error message

If Microsoft says your new password is too weak, it doesn't meet the requirement of at least three character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols). Try adding a number or symbol, or making the password longer. "BlueSky2024!" works; "bluesky2024" does not.

If you see a message saying your password was used recently and Microsoft won't let you reuse it, wait a few minutes and try again. Microsoft prevents you from cycling through the same few passwords repeatedly, but the restriction is temporary.

If you get an error about your recovery email or phone number, make sure the one you entered is correct. If you no longer have access to your recovery email or phone, you may need to verify your identity another way — Microsoft will walk you through the options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Microsoft password sign me out of Outlook or OneDrive?

Not immediately. You'll stay signed in on the device where you made the change. Other devices will stay signed in until they try to refresh your credentials, which can take hours or days. If you need to sign out everywhere right away, go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, then Recent activity, and sign out of each device manually.

Can I change my password if I don't remember the old one?

Yes. On the Microsoft sign-in screen, select I forgot my password and follow the prompts. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number, then let you set a new password without needing the old one.

What if I change my password and then realize I made a typo?

You can change it again immediately. Go back to account.microsoft.com, select Security, and choose Change password. There's no waiting period between changes for a typo correction.

Does changing my Microsoft password change my Windows sign-in password?

No. Your Microsoft account password and your Windows local sign-in password are separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want to change your Windows sign-in password, do that through Windows settings on your PC.

How often should I change my Microsoft password?

Microsoft doesn't require regular password changes. Change it if you think your account was compromised, if you used the same password on another service that was breached, or if you haven't changed it in several years. For most people, a strong unique password that you don't reuse elsewhere is more important than how often you change it.