Change your Hotmail password from your account settings

To change your Hotmail password, sign into your account, go to your account settings, and select the password option. The process takes about five minutes and you can do it from any device — computer, phone, or tablet. Microsoft will ask you to confirm your identity before letting you create a new password, usually by sending a code to your phone or recovery email.

You do not need to know your old password to change it, as long as you can still sign in. If you cannot sign in at all, that is a different process covered in the recovery section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into your Hotmail account, then go to account.microsoft.com and select "Security" to find the password change option.
  • Microsoft will send a verification code to your phone number or recovery email before you can set a new password.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols for Microsoft to accept it.
  • If you cannot sign in to your account, use the "I forgot my password" link on the sign-in page instead of trying to change it from settings.

Step-by-step: changing your password while signed in

Step 1: Sign into your account. Go to outlook.com or hotmail.com and enter your email address and current password. If you use two-factor authentication, complete that step as well.

Step 2: Open account settings. Once you are signed in, click your profile picture or initials in the top right corner. A menu will appear. Select "View account" or "Account settings" — the exact wording depends on which version of Hotmail you use.

Step 3: Find the security section. You will land on your account overview page. Look for a menu on the left side and click "Security" or "Security & privacy". This is where password changes live.

Step 4: Select "Change password". Under the Security section, you will see an option that says "Change password" or "Password". Click it. Microsoft will ask you to confirm your identity before proceeding.

Step 5: Verify your identity. Microsoft will send a code to your phone number or recovery email address on file. Check whichever one they used and enter the code into the box on the screen. If you do not receive the code within a minute, check your spam folder or ask Microsoft to send it again.

Step 6: Create your new password. Enter your new password twice — once in each box. Microsoft requires passwords to be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example: "BlueSky2024!" works, but "bluesky" does not.

Step 7: Confirm the change. Click "Next" or "Save". The page will confirm that your password has been changed. You are done — your old password no longer works.

What to do if you forgot your password and cannot sign in

If you cannot remember your password and cannot sign into your account, use the recovery process instead of the settings method above. Go to the Hotmail or Outlook sign-in page and click "Can't access your account?" or "Forgot my password?" — the link appears below the password box.

Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address, then verify your identity using a code sent to your phone or recovery email. After you confirm the code, you will be able to set a new password without signing in first. This process works the same way as the in-account method, but it is designed for people who are locked out.

If you do not have access to your phone number or recovery email anymore, the process takes longer. Microsoft may ask you security questions or request other proof that you own the account. Be honest about what you do and do not have access to — trying to guess answers or provide false information will lock you out further.

Why Microsoft asks for verification before letting you change your password

The verification code step protects your account from someone else changing your password if they somehow get into your email. Even if a person knows your current password, they cannot change it to a new one without also having access to your phone or recovery email. This is a security feature, not a bug.

If you do not receive the verification code, check your spam or junk folder first — sometimes legitimate codes end up there. If it is not there, wait a full minute before asking Microsoft to send another one. If codes keep failing to arrive, your phone number or recovery email may be out of date, and you will need to update them before you can change your password.

What happens to your other accounts after you change your password

Changing your Hotmail password does not automatically sign you out of other services that use your Microsoft account, like Xbox, OneDrive, or Office. You will stay signed in on those services until you manually sign out or until your session expires on its own. If you changed your password because you think someone else accessed your account, you should manually sign out of all devices and services, then sign back in with your new password.

To sign out of all devices at once, go back to your account security page and look for "Recent activity" or "Device list". You can see which devices are currently signed in and remove any you do not recognize. This is faster than changing your password on each service separately.

Common mistakes that prevent password changes from working

The most common mistake is typing the new password differently in the two boxes — they must match exactly, including uppercase and lowercase letters. If you see an error saying the passwords do not match, slow down and type them again carefully. Consider using a password manager to generate and store a strong password so you do not have to remember it.

Another frequent problem is not waiting for the verification code to arrive. Microsoft usually sends it within seconds, but sometimes it takes up to a minute. Do not close the page or refresh it while you are waiting — just wait and check your phone or email. If two minutes pass with no code, then ask Microsoft to send it again.

A third mistake is using a password that is too simple. Microsoft will reject passwords that are fewer than eight characters, or that do not include a mix of uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "Password123!" works. "password123" does not, because it has no uppercase letters or symbols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know my old password to change it?

No. As long as you can sign into your account, you can change your password without knowing the old one. Microsoft only asks you to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or recovery email. If you cannot sign in at all, use the "Forgot my password" link instead.

How long does it take for a new password to work everywhere?

Your new password works immediately on the device where you changed it. On other devices, you may need to sign out and sign back in with the new password. Some services like OneDrive or Office may take a few minutes to recognize the change, but this is rare.

What if I do not have a phone number on file?

Microsoft can send the verification code to your recovery email address instead. If you do not have either a phone number or recovery email set up, you will need to add one before you can change your password. Go to your account security page and look for "Add security info" or "Verify your identity".

Can I change my password on my phone?

Yes. The process is the same on a phone as on a computer. Open the Outlook or Hotmail app, go to settings, find the security section, and select "Change password". You can also use a web browser on your phone to visit account.microsoft.com and follow the same steps as on a desktop.

What should I do if someone else changed my password?

Use the "Forgot my password" link on the sign-in page to recover your account. Microsoft will send a code to your phone or recovery email. If you no longer have access to those, contact Microsoft support directly — they can help you prove you own the account and regain access.