Change your Hotmail password from your account settings

To change your Hotmail password, sign into your account at outlook.com, go to your account settings, and choose the security option for changing your password. Microsoft will ask you to enter your current password once, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. The whole process takes about two minutes.

You can change your password from any device — a computer, phone, or tablet. Microsoft will not sign you out of other devices automatically, so if you want to end sessions elsewhere (like on a shared computer), you will need to do that as a separate step after changing your password.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to outlook.com, sign in, and click your profile picture in the top right corner to find the password change option.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters long and should include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols for stronger security.
  • After you change your password, you will stay signed in on the device you used to make the change, but you may need to sign in again on other devices.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "I forgot my password" link on the sign-in page instead of trying to change it from settings.

Step-by-step instructions for changing your password

Start by going to outlook.com in your web browser and signing in with your Hotmail address and current password. Once you are signed in, look for your profile picture or initials in the top right corner of the screen and click on it. A menu will drop down with several options.

Click on "View account" or "Account settings" — the exact wording depends on which version of Outlook you are using. This takes you to your account page. On the left side, you will see a menu with options like "Security," "Privacy," and "Account info." Click on "Security." Look for the section labeled "Password" and click "Change password." Enter your current password in the first box, then type your new password in the second box. Type it again in the third box to confirm. Click "Next" or "Save" to finish.

What makes a strong Hotmail password

Microsoft requires your new password to be at least eight characters long. A stronger password uses a mix of uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). For example, "BlueSky2024!" is stronger than "bluesky2024" because it includes uppercase and a symbol.

Avoid passwords that use your name, your Hotmail address, or words that appear in a dictionary. Do not reuse a password you have used before on this account. If you use the same password across multiple accounts, change those passwords too — if one account is breached, attackers will try that password on your other accounts.

What happens after you change your password

You will remain signed in on the device where you made the change. On other devices — a phone, tablet, or another computer — you may be asked to sign in again the next time you open Outlook or check your email. This is normal and happens because those devices need to confirm your new password.

If you want to sign out of all other devices immediately rather than waiting for them to prompt you, you can do that from the same Security page. Look for an option like "Manage all sessions" or "Sign out everywhere else" and click it. This ends all active sessions except the one you are currently using.

If you forgot your current password

You cannot change your password from settings if you do not remember it. Instead, go to the Outlook sign-in page (outlook.com) and click "Can't access your account?" or "Forgot password?" below the sign-in boxes. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address, then verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier.

Once you verify who you are, Microsoft will let you create a new password without needing the old one. This process usually takes a few minutes. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, you may need to use Microsoft's account recovery form, which can take longer.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

Changing your password periodically is one way to limit damage if someone has seen it without your knowledge. If you suspect someone else knows your password — because you used it on a website that was breached, or you typed it on a shared computer — change it right away rather than waiting.

You do not need to change a strong password every 30 days just because time has passed. That old advice is no longer recommended by security experts. Change it when you have reason to think it has been compromised, when you have not changed it in several years, or if you reused it on other accounts that may have been breached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Hotmail password on my phone?

Yes. Open the Outlook app or go to outlook.com in your phone's browser, sign in, tap your profile picture, and look for account settings or security options. The steps are the same as on a computer, though the menu layout may look slightly different on a small screen.

Will changing my password sign me out of Gmail or other email accounts?

No. Changing your Hotmail password only affects your Hotmail or Outlook.com account. Other email accounts are separate and will not be affected. If you use the same password on multiple accounts, you will need to change each one individually.

What if I see a message saying my password is too weak?

Microsoft rejected it because it does not meet their requirements. Make sure your password is at least eight characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol. Try something like "GreenTree42#" instead of "greentree42".

Do I need to change my password if I change my recovery email or phone number?

No. Changing your recovery email or phone number does not require a password change. Those are separate security settings. However, if someone else changed your recovery information without your permission, change your password immediately and check your account activity.