The fastest way to change your Outlook password

You can change your Outlook password directly from the account settings page in about two minutes. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your current password, select Security from the left menu, then choose Change password. Enter your current password once, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Microsoft will send a confirmation email to your recovery email address, and the change takes effect immediately.

If you are signed into Outlook on the web or the Outlook desktop app, you can also change your password without leaving the application. In Outlook on the web, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select View account, then follow the same steps above. In the Outlook desktop app for Windows or Mac, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings again, find your email account in the list, click it, then click Change and select Change Password.

Key Takeaways

  • The easiest route is account.microsoft.com, where you enter your current password and create a new one in the Security section.
  • Your new password takes effect right away across all Outlook apps and devices, but you may need to sign in again on some devices.
  • Microsoft sends a confirmation email to your recovery email address, so check that inbox to verify the change went through.
  • If you forget your current password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the sign-in screen to recover it first.

What happens after you change your password

The new password works immediately on account.microsoft.com and Outlook on the web. However, the Outlook desktop app and mobile apps may take a few minutes to sync the change. You will usually see a prompt asking you to sign in again with your new password on these devices.

If a device does not prompt you automatically, sign out manually and sign back in with your new password. On the Outlook desktop app, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select your email account, click Change, and enter your new password. On Outlook mobile apps (iPhone, Android, or Windows Phone), remove the account from the app and add it again with your new password.

Creating a strong password that you will remember

Microsoft requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and recommends mixing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A strong password does not need to be random characters — a phrase like "BlueSky$Sunrise2024" is both strong and memorable.

Write your new password down in a secure location before you change it, such as a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane are common options) or a locked notebook. This way you have a backup if you forget it during the change process. Do not email the password to yourself or store it in an unencrypted document on your computer.

If you cannot access your account to change the password

If you are locked out of your Outlook account or cannot remember your current password, go to account.microsoft.com/security and click Can't access your account. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address, then verify your identity using a recovery email address, a phone number, or security questions you set up previously.

The recovery process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Once you have verified your identity, you will be able to set a new password. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, you can answer your security questions instead. If you cannot answer those either, contact Microsoft Support through the account recovery page — they can help restore access, though it may take longer.

Changing your password on shared or public computers

If you are using a shared computer at work, school, or a library, change your password from a personal device instead. If you must change it on a shared computer, sign out completely from Outlook and all Microsoft services when you are done. On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Sign out, and wait for the screen to fully clear before leaving the computer.

After changing your password on a shared computer, go back to account.microsoft.com and check Security > Recent activity to see where your account was accessed. If you see sign-ins from unfamiliar locations or devices, you can remove them from that same page. This step is optional but recommended if you are concerned about the security of the shared device.

Syncing your new password across multiple devices

Once you change your password, you need to update it on any device where you use Outlook. The Outlook desktop app, Outlook mobile apps, and Outlook on the web all need the new password within a few hours. Most devices will prompt you automatically, but some may not.

On Windows, the Mail app (which uses Outlook) may not prompt you immediately. Open Settings > Accounts > Email & app accounts, find your Outlook account, click it, then click Manage and Change mailbox sync settings. You may see an error message asking you to re-enter your password — do so with your new password. On Mac, open System Preferences > Internet Accounts, select your Outlook account, and update the password there.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my Outlook password?

Microsoft does not require you to change your password on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another service that was breached, or if you have not changed it in over a year. Using a unique password for Outlook (one you do not use anywhere else) reduces the need to change it frequently.

Will changing my password sign me out of Outlook on all my devices?

Not immediately, but within a few hours most devices will require you to sign in again with your new password. The Outlook desktop app and mobile apps usually prompt you automatically. If a device does not prompt you, sign out manually and sign back in with your new password.

Can I change my password if I am not sure what my current password is?

No, you need your current password to change it from the Security page. If you do not remember it, click Can't access your account on the sign-in screen and verify your identity using a recovery email, phone number, or security questions. Once verified, you can set a new password.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one right away?

Use the same recovery process: go to account.microsoft.com, click Can't access your account, and verify your identity. You can then set another new password. There is no limit to how many times you can do this, though each recovery takes a few minutes.

Does changing my Outlook password change my Microsoft account password?

Yes. Your Outlook email and Microsoft account password are the same. Changing one changes the other across all Microsoft services, including OneDrive, Xbox, and Windows sign-in if you use a Microsoft account on your computer.