How to Change Your Hotmail Password (Now Managed Through Microsoft Account)

If you're trying to change your Hotmail password, the first thing to know is that Hotmail no longer exists as a standalone service. Microsoft migrated all Hotmail accounts to Outlook.com years ago — but here's the reassuring part: your old @hotmail.com address still works perfectly. You just manage it through your Microsoft account, which controls your password, security settings, and everything connected to it.

That means changing your Hotmail password is actually changing your Microsoft account password — and that single change applies everywhere: Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, Microsoft 365, and any other Microsoft services tied to that email.

What You're Actually Changing 🔑

Your Microsoft account password is a single credential that unlocks your entire Microsoft ecosystem. This is worth understanding before you start, because:

• Changing it will sign you out of connected devices and apps
• Any device using that account (Windows PC, Xbox, phone) will prompt you to sign in again
• Third-party apps authorized through your Microsoft account may also need to re-authenticate

This is normal behavior — not a sign something went wrong.

How to Change Your Hotmail Password on a Desktop Browser

This is the most straightforward method and works on any browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari):

1. Go to account.microsoft.com
2. Sign in with your @hotmail.com address and current password
3. Select Security from the top navigation menu
4. Under the Password security section, click Change my password
5. Enter your current password, then your new password twice to confirm
6. Click Save

Microsoft will ask your new password to meet certain strength requirements — typically a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, with a minimum character count. Passwords that are too simple or recently used will be rejected.

How to Change It on a Mobile Device

On iPhone or Android using the Outlook app:

1. Open the Outlook app
2. Tap your profile icon → Settings
3. Select your Hotmail account, then tap Change Password
4. This redirects you to Microsoft's account security page in your browser
5. Follow the same steps as the desktop method above

On a Windows PC through Settings:

If your Windows device is linked to your Microsoft account (common on Windows 10 and 11):

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options
2. Under Password, select Change
3. You'll verify your identity first, then set the new password

Note: This changes the same Microsoft account password — it's all connected.

What If You've Forgotten Your Current Password?

If you can't remember your existing password, you'll need to go through the account recovery process rather than a standard password change:

1. Go to account.microsoft.com or the Outlook sign-in page
2. Click Forgot my password or Can't access your account?
3. Microsoft will offer verification options: a recovery email, a phone number (SMS code), or an authenticator app
4. Once verified, you'll be prompted to set a new password

The options available to you depend entirely on what recovery information you set up when you created the account. If none of those options are accessible (old phone number, deleted backup email), the recovery process becomes significantly more involved and requires proving account ownership to Microsoft support.

Factors That Affect Your Specific Experience

Not every Hotmail/Microsoft account works identically. Several variables determine what you'll actually encounter:

After You Change Your Password 🔒

Once the change is saved, expect to:

• Re-sign in on any device or app using the account
• Receive a confirmation email from Microsoft to your recovery address (if one is set)
• Update saved passwords in any browser or password manager you use

If you use a password manager (like a built-in browser tool or a dedicated app), updating the stored credential immediately prevents future confusion.

A Note on Security Best Practices

While changing your password is a straightforward task, how often you do it — and what you set it to — matters more than the act itself. General security guidance around passwords has shifted: rather than mandating frequent changes, most security professionals now emphasize length and uniqueness over complexity tricks and rotation schedules.

Using the same password across multiple services is one of the most common ways accounts get compromised, regardless of how strong that password is individually. Whether you use a password manager, a passphrase strategy, or another approach depends on your own habits and technical comfort level.

The Variable That Changes Everything

The steps above cover the mechanics — but what actually shapes your experience is your specific account setup: whether two-factor authentication is active, which devices are signed in, whether you manage a personal or organizational account, and what recovery information is (or isn't) attached.

Someone on a fresh personal account with a linked phone number will breeze through this in under two minutes. Someone with an older account, no current recovery options, and an administrator-managed policy faces a completely different set of steps. The process is the same — but where it leads depends entirely on the account behind it.