Change your password through Settings
The fastest way to change your Windows password is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts on the left side, then select Sign-in options. Scroll down to the Password section and click Change.
Windows will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in and click Next. Then create your new password — make it at least 8 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if you can. Type the new password twice to confirm you didn't make a typo, add a password hint if you want one, then click Next and Finish. Your password changes immediately.
If you forget your current password partway through, you can't use this method. Stop and use the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method instead, which is covered below.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings app is the easiest route: go to Accounts, then Sign-in options, then click Change under Password.
- Your new password should be at least 8 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- If you forget your current password before finishing, use Ctrl+Alt+Delete on the sign-in screen instead of the Settings method.
- After you change your password, you will need to use the new one the next time you sign in to your computer.
- If you use a Microsoft account instead of a local account, you can also change your password on the Microsoft website.
Change your password using Ctrl+Alt+Delete
If you are already signed in but cannot remember your current password, or if Settings is not working, use the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method. Press Ctrl, Alt, and Delete at the same time. A menu will appear with several options. Click Change a password.
Windows will prompt you to enter your old password, then your new password twice. Type carefully — you won't see the characters as you type them, only dots. Click the arrow or press Enter when you're done. Your password changes right away, and you stay signed in.
This method works even if you're not sure your current password is correct, because Windows verifies it behind the scenes. If the old password you enter is wrong, Windows will tell you and let you try again.
Understand the difference between local and Microsoft accounts
Windows lets you sign in with either a local account (a password stored only on your computer) or a Microsoft account (linked to your Microsoft email and OneDrive). The steps above work for both, but they work slightly differently.
If you use a local account, your password change happens only on your computer. If you use a Microsoft account, Windows syncs your new password to Microsoft's servers, and you can sign in with the new password on any device that uses the same Microsoft account. You can also change a Microsoft account password on the Microsoft website at account.microsoft.com without touching your computer at all.
To find out which type you have, go to Settings, then Accounts, then Your info. If you see your email address at the top, you have a Microsoft account. If you see only a username, you have a local account.
What to do if you forgot your password entirely
If you cannot sign in because you forgot your password, you cannot use the methods above — they all require you to be signed in or to know your current password. Instead, you will need to reset your password from the sign-in screen.
On the sign-in screen, click I forgot my password below the password box. If you have a Microsoft account, Windows will walk you through verifying your identity using a recovery email or phone number. If you have a local account, Windows will ask you security questions you set up when you created the account. Answer them correctly and you can set a new password.
If you don't remember the answers to your security questions and don't have access to your recovery email, you may not be able to get back in without help from Microsoft Support or a local computer repair shop. This is why it's worth writing down your security questions and answers somewhere safe when you first set up your account.
Make your new password strong and memorable
A strong password is harder for someone else to guess or crack. Use at least 8 characters — longer is better. Mix uppercase letters (A-Z), lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid using your name, your birth year, or words from the dictionary by themselves.
A good approach is to take a phrase you'll remember and use the first letter of each word, then swap some letters for numbers or symbols. For example, "My dog ate three socks" becomes "Mda7s!" — that's 6 characters, so add a couple more numbers to reach 8 or more. Write it down in a secure place until you've typed it a few times and it sticks in your memory.
Don't use the same password on multiple websites or devices. If one site gets hacked, someone could use that password to get into your other accounts. Windows password managers like the one built into Microsoft Edge can store different passwords for different sites so you only have to remember one strong master password.
Troubleshoot if the password change fails
Sometimes the password change doesn't go through. The most common reason is that you typed your new password differently the two times Windows asked for it. Go back to Settings and try again, typing slowly and carefully.
If you see an error message that says your password doesn't meet requirements, it means your new password is too short, uses only letters, or breaks another rule. Windows will tell you what the rule is. Create a new password that follows all the rules and try again.
If Settings keeps crashing or won't open, restart your computer and try the Ctrl+Alt+Delete method instead. If that doesn't work either, your computer may have a deeper problem. Contact Microsoft Support or a local technician for help.
Change your password regularly for better security
Changing your password every few months makes it harder for someone who may have seen it or guessed it to keep using your account. You don't need to change it every week — that can actually make passwords weaker because people rush and use simpler ones. A few times a year is a reasonable balance.
If you think someone else knows your password, change it right away. If you use the same password on other devices or websites, change those too. If you've used your password on a website that later reported a data breach, change it immediately on that site and on any other site where you used the same password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my computer after changing my password?
No. Your password changes immediately and takes effect the next time you sign in. You can keep working without restarting. The next time you lock your computer or sign out, you'll use the new password to get back in.
What if I change my password and then forget the new one?
If you have a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com and use your recovery email or phone to reset it. If you have a local account, you'll need to use your security questions from the sign-in screen. If you can't answer those, you may need to contact Microsoft Support or a technician.
Can I change my password on my phone or tablet?
If you use a Microsoft account, yes — go to account.microsoft.com on any device and change it there. If you use a local account, you can only change it on the Windows computer itself using Settings or Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
Will changing my password sign me out of other apps?
No. Apps that are already signed in will stay signed in. The next time an app asks you to sign in again, you'll use your new password. Some apps may ask you to re-enter your password within a few days for security reasons.
What if I see a password change screen I didn't ask for?
If Windows shows you a password change screen without you requesting it, do not enter anything. Close the window and restart your computer. This could be a scam. Real Windows password screens only appear when you ask for them or when you're signing in. If this keeps happening, run a malware scan or contact Microsoft Support.