The fastest way to change your password

On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select "Change a password" from the menu that appears. Type your current password, then your new password twice. On Mac, go to the Apple menu, select System Settings, click "General," then "Login Items & Extensions," and look for "Password" — or go directly to System Settings > General > About and find the security section.

Both methods take about two minutes. Your computer will ask you to log in again with the new password the next time you restart, so write it down somewhere safe before you close the window. If you forget it before that happens, you can still change it again using the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can change their password instantly by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting "Change a password."
  • Mac users should go to System Settings, select General, then find the password or security option.
  • You will need to know your current password before you can set a new one.
  • After you change your password, your computer will ask for the new one the next time you log in.
  • A strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

The Ctrl + Alt + Delete method works on any recent version of Windows. Hold down Ctrl and Alt at the same time, then press Delete. A blue screen will appear with several options. Look for "Change a password" and click it. You will see three fields: one for your current password, one for your new password, and one to confirm the new password by typing it again.

Type your current password first. Then create a new password and type it in the second field. Type the exact same new password in the third field. If the two new passwords do not match, Windows will tell you and ask you to try again. Once they match, click the arrow or press Enter. Windows will confirm the change and return you to your desktop.

If you do not remember your current password, this method will not work. You will need to use the "I forgot my password" option on the Windows login screen instead, which may require you to answer security questions or use a recovery email address that you set up earlier.

Changing your password on Mac

On a Mac running macOS Ventura or newer, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select "System Settings" from the dropdown. On the left side, click "General." Scroll down until you see "Login Items & Extensions" or a section about passwords and security. The exact name varies by macOS version, but it will be in this area.

Click on the password or security section. You may see an option that says "Change Password" or "Update Password." Click it, and your Mac will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in, then create a new password and type it twice to confirm. Click "Change Password" or the equivalent button to save your new password.

If you are using an older Mac with an earlier version of macOS, the steps are slightly different. Go to System Preferences instead of System Settings, then look for "Users & Groups" or "Security & Privacy." The process is the same — you will enter your current password, then your new one twice.

What makes a strong password you can actually remember

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. Avoid using your name, your birthday, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Do not use the same password on multiple computers or accounts.

If a strong password is hard to remember, consider using a passphrase instead — a string of random words like "BluePiano47Sandwich!" is both strong and easier to recall than a jumble of symbols. Write your new password down on paper and store it in a safe place, like a locked drawer. Do not email it to yourself or save it in a document on your computer.

If you change your password and then cannot remember the new one, you can change it again using the same steps — as long as you remember the password you just set. If you are locked out completely, you will need to use your recovery email or answer your security questions to regain access.

What to do if the password change does not work

If you see an error message when you try to change your password, the most common reason is that the two new passwords do not match exactly. Check that you typed them the same way both times, including capital letters and symbols. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password1!" is different from "password1!"

If you are sure the passwords match but still see an error, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes a temporary glitch prevents the change from going through. If the problem continues, your computer may have a setting that prevents password changes — this is rare on personal computers but common on work computers managed by an IT department. Contact your IT support team if you are on a work device.

On Windows, if you see a message saying "The password does not meet complexity requirements," your computer is set to require a stronger password. Add more characters, include numbers and symbols, or use a longer passphrase. On Mac, if you see a similar message, try a longer password with a mix of character types.

Changing your password if you forgot the old one

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Ctrl + Alt + Delete method on Windows or the System Settings method on Mac. Instead, on the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password." Windows will walk you through recovering access using a recovery email address or phone number that you set up when you created your account.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q when you see the login screen. This will bring up account recovery options. You can also restart and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then use the password reset tool from there. Both methods require that you set up a recovery email or security questions in advance.

If you did not set up recovery options and cannot log in, you may need to use a password reset disk if you created one earlier, or contact Apple or Microsoft support for help regaining access to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my password?

You do not need to restart immediately, but your computer will ask for your new password the next time you log in or restart. If you change your password and then restart right away, make sure you remember the new one before you shut down.

Can I change my password if I am not the administrator of my computer?

Yes, you can change your own password even if you are not an administrator. However, if your computer is managed by a workplace or school, there may be rules about password length or complexity that you cannot change. Contact your IT department if you run into restrictions.

What if I change my password and then forget it immediately?

You can change it again using the same steps, as long as you remember the password you just set. If you forget it before you log out, write it down before you close the password change window. If you forget it after you log out, you will need to use the "I forgot my password" recovery option on your login screen.

Will changing my password affect my files or programs?

No. Changing your password only affects how you log in to your computer. Your files, programs, and settings will remain exactly the same. You will not lose anything.

Can I use the same password on my computer and my email account?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone learns one password, they will have access to both your computer and your email. Using different passwords for different accounts makes your accounts more secure.