How to change your password depends on which operating system you use

The steps to change your password are different on Windows, macOS, and Linux because each operating system stores passwords in different places and uses different security systems. On Windows, you change it through Settings. On a Mac, you use System Settings. On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment, but most people use the terminal or a graphical settings panel. The process takes about five minutes on any system, and you do not need to restart your computer afterward.

Before you start, decide what your new password will be. A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like Tr0pic@lSunset42 is much harder to crack than password123. Write it down somewhere safe, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Change Your Password under the Sign-In Options section.
  • On macOS, open System Settings, click General, then Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your current password, and select Change Password.
  • On Linux, use the terminal command passwd or access password settings through your desktop environment's system settings menu.
  • You will need to enter your current password before creating a new one, so have it ready.
  • After you change your password, you will need to use the new one the next time you log in.

Changing your password on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Start menu and type Settings, then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click Accounts on the left side of the window. You should see a menu with options like Your Info, Email & Accounts, and Sign-In Options — click Sign-In Options.

Scroll down until you see a section called Password. Click the button that says Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it is really you. Type it in and click Next. Now you will see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it by typing it again, and one for a password hint (optional, but useful if you think you might forget it). Type your new password in both the first and second fields, add a hint if you want, then click Next and then Finish.

Your password is now changed. The next time you log in to your computer, use the new password instead of the old one.

Changing your password on macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). In the sidebar on the left, click General, then look for Users & Groups or Login Items — the exact name depends on your macOS version. If you see a lock icon at the bottom of the window, click it and enter your current password to unlock the settings.

Find your user account in the list on the left side and click it. You should see a button labeled Change Password. Click it. macOS will ask you to enter your current password first, then show you fields for your new password and a confirmation. Type your new password in both fields and click Change Password.

On some newer Macs, you may instead see an option to change your password in the top-right corner of System Settings. If you do not see the steps above, look for a gear icon or settings button near the top of the window.

Changing your password on Linux

The easiest way on most Linux systems is to open the terminal. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open it (this works on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and many others). Type the command passwd and press Enter. The terminal will ask you to enter your current password, then ask you to type your new password twice. You will not see the characters as you type — this is normal and a security feature.

If you prefer not to use the terminal, you can also change your password through your desktop environment's settings. On Ubuntu with GNOME, click the power icon in the top-right corner, select Settings, then go to Users. Click your user account and look for a Password option. On KDE Plasma, open System Settings and navigate to Startup and Shutdown, then Login Screen (SDDM), then Users.

The exact location varies depending on whether you use GNOME, KDE, XFCE, or another desktop environment, but all of them have a password change option somewhere in the settings menu.

What to do if you forget your new password

If you change your password and then forget it, you have a few options depending on your operating system. On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if you created one before, or you can use another administrator account on the same computer to reset it. On a Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password, or use Recovery Mode. On Linux, you can boot into single-user mode or use a live USB to reset it, though the exact steps depend on your distribution.

The easiest way to avoid this problem is to write your new password down in a safe place — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager — before you change it. That way you have a backup if you forget.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your computer password every few months makes it harder for someone who has stolen or guessed your old password to access your account. If you use the same password on multiple websites or accounts, changing your computer password is especially important — it limits the damage if one of those other accounts is breached.

You should change your password immediately if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was hacked, or if you shared it with someone and no longer trust them. Otherwise, changing it once or twice a year is reasonable for most people.

Using a password manager to keep track of passwords

If you change your password often or use different passwords for different accounts, a password manager can store them all in one encrypted vault. You only have to remember one master password to unlock the vault. Popular options include Bitwarden (free and open-source), 1Password, LastPass, and KeePass. Most of them work on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and they sync across your devices so your passwords are available on your phone and tablet too.

A password manager is especially useful if you have trouble remembering complex passwords. Instead of trying to memorize Tr0pic@lSunset42, you can let the password manager generate a random strong password and store it for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your password change takes effect immediately. The next time you log out and log back in, you will use the new password. You do not need to restart.

What if I am using a Microsoft account on Windows instead of a local account?

If you sign in with a Microsoft account (your email address), you can change your password through the Microsoft website instead of through Settings. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for Security or Password options. You can also change it through Windows Settings the same way described above — Windows will sync the change to your Microsoft account.

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

Yes. Every user account can change its own password without administrator permission. You just need to know your current password. If you do not know your current password, you will need an administrator to reset it for you.

Is it safe to use the same password on my computer and my email account?

No. If someone gets your email password, they can reset passwords on other accounts using the "forgot password" feature. Use a different strong password for your email account and your computer account, and use different passwords for important websites too.

What makes a password strong enough?

A strong password has at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid words from the dictionary, your name, your birthday, or other information someone could guess. A random string like 7mK#vQ2$nLp9 is stronger than a phrase like MyDog2024, even though the phrase is longer.