The fastest way to change your Outlook password

To change your Outlook password, go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser, sign in with your current password, and select Security from the left menu. Click Change password, enter your current password once more, then type your new password twice. Microsoft will send a confirmation code to your recovery email or phone — enter it to finish. Your new password takes effect immediately across all devices and apps that use Outlook.

If you are signed into Outlook on your computer or phone, you do not need to sign out and back in. The app will ask for your new password the next time you open it or the next time it syncs with Microsoft's servers, usually within a few minutes.

Changing your password through account.microsoft.com is the only official way to do it. Outlook itself — whether the desktop app, web version, or mobile app — does not have a built-in password change feature.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit account.microsoft.com, sign in, go to Security, and click Change password to update your Outlook password.
  • You will need to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your recovery email or phone number.
  • Your new password works across all devices and apps connected to your Microsoft account within minutes.
  • You do not need to manually sign out of Outlook on your devices — the app will prompt you for the new password automatically.
  • If you forget your current password, use the I forgot my password link on the sign-in screen instead of the change password option.

Step-by-step instructions for account.microsoft.com

Open any web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Click Sign in in the top right corner and enter your Outlook email address and current password. Once you are signed in, look for Security in the left sidebar menu — it may be under a Security & privacy section depending on your account layout.

Click Change password or Update password. Microsoft will ask you to enter your current password again for security. Type it in and click Next. Now enter your new password in both the New password and Confirm password fields. Microsoft will show you a strength indicator — aim for a password that is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Click Next. Microsoft will send a verification code to your recovery email address or phone number on file. Check that email or text message, copy the code, and paste it into the box on the screen. Click Verify. You will see a confirmation message that your password has been changed. You can now close the browser tab.

What happens on your devices after you change your password

On your computer, the Outlook desktop app will continue working for a short time — usually a few minutes to a few hours depending on your sync settings. When the app tries to refresh your email, it will prompt you to sign in again. Enter your new password and click Sign in. The app will then work normally with the new password.

On your phone or tablet, the same thing happens. The Outlook mobile app will ask for your new password the next time it syncs. If you use Gmail, Yahoo, or another email provider through Outlook, the app may ask you to re-enter that provider's password as well — this is normal and does not mean you need to change that password.

If you use Outlook on the web (outlook.office.com or outlook.live.com), you will be signed out automatically after changing your password. Simply sign back in with your new password.

Changing your password if you use a work or school account

If your Outlook email is through your employer or school — for example, an address ending in your company domain or a .edu address — the password change process is different. You cannot change it through account.microsoft.com. Instead, go to myaccount.microsoft.com or contact your IT department or help desk directly, as they control password policies for work and school accounts.

Some organizations require you to change your password through their own internal system or portal. Check your company or school's IT support page or ask your manager where to change your password.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the change password feature. Instead, go to the Outlook sign-in page (outlook.office.com or outlook.live.com) and click Can't access your account? or Forgot password? below the sign-in box. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address and then verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number.

After you verify your identity, Microsoft will let you create a new password without needing the old one. This process is called a password reset, and it is different from a password change. Once you have reset your password, you can sign back into Outlook and use it normally.

Creating a strong password you can remember

Microsoft requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long. A strong password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, BlueMoon$2024 or Sunset!Waves99. Avoid using your name, email address, or common words that appear in the dictionary.

If you struggle to remember passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager in your browser. These tools store your passwords securely and fill them in automatically when you sign in. Write your new password down on paper and store it in a safe place if you prefer, but never share it via email or text message.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see an error message saying your password is too weak, it does not meet Microsoft's requirements. Make sure it is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid repeating characters or using sequential numbers like 123456.

If you do not receive the verification code, check your spam or junk folder — it may have been filtered there by mistake. If you still do not see it after a few minutes, click Send code again or choose to receive the code by text message instead of email. If you no longer have access to your recovery email or phone number, you will need to contact Microsoft support to verify your identity through other means.

If Outlook on your device keeps asking for your password even after you have entered it correctly, try signing out completely and signing back in. On the desktop app, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, right-click your email address, and select Remove. Then add the account back by clicking New and entering your email and new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on each device separately?

No. Once you change your password on account.microsoft.com, it applies to your entire Microsoft account. Each device will ask for your new password the next time it syncs, but you only change the password once in one place. You do not need to go into settings on each phone, tablet, or computer.

Will changing my Outlook password affect my other Microsoft accounts?

If you use the same email address for OneDrive, Office, Xbox, or other Microsoft services, they all share the same password. Changing your Outlook password changes the password for all of them at once. If you use different passwords for different services, you have separate accounts and changing one does not affect the others.

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 website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. For most people, changing it once a year or whenever you suspect a problem is sufficient.

Can I change my password from the Outlook app itself?

No. The Outlook desktop app, web version, and mobile app do not have a password change feature built in. You must go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser to change your password. This is by design — it ensures you are changing your password on Microsoft's secure servers, not through the app.

What if I change my password but Outlook still will not sign in?

Wait a few minutes for the password change to sync across Microsoft's servers. If it still does not work after 10 minutes, try signing out of Outlook completely and signing back in with your new password. If you are still stuck, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your new password to confirm it works, then try the Outlook app again. If the problem continues, contact Microsoft support.