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How to Change Your Windows Account Password

Tap through each step to change your Windows account sign-in password.

  1. Open Settings and click "Accounts"

    Press Windows + I to open Settings, then click "Accounts."

  2. Go to "Sign-in options"

    Select "Sign-in options" from the sidebar or list of settings.

  3. Click "Password"

    In the list of sign-in methods, click "Password" to expand it.

  4. Verify your current password, then set a new one

    Click "Change," enter your current password, then follow the prompts to type and save a new password.

  5. Why this matters

    Changing your sign-in password periodically β€” especially if you suspect it may have leaked β€” is one of the simplest ways to keep your computer more secure.

A password change is cheap insurance

Rotating a sign-in password costs a couple of minutes, but skipping it after a suspected leak, a shared or public computer login, or a long stretch without any change leaves an easy opening for anyone who does get hold of it. Pairing a fresh password with a password manager for your other accounts, or enabling Windows Hello (PIN, fingerprint, or face unlock) for daily use, gives you both convenience and a stronger baseline.

Forgot your current password?

If you can't remember your current password well enough to get through this flow, use the "I forgot my password" link on the lock screen instead. A Microsoft account is recovered by verifying your identity through email, phone, or an authenticator app; a local account is recovered using the security questions you set up when you created it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Windows password affect other services signed in with the same account?

If you sign in with a Microsoft account, yes β€” since the same account is used for Outlook, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Store, changing the password here updates it everywhere those services check credentials. A local account password only controls sign-in on that one PC.

How often should I change my Windows password?

There's no single universal rule. Change it immediately if you suspect a leak, and otherwise a refresh every few months with a password you're not reusing elsewhere is a reasonable habit β€” if it's a work computer, follow your organization's IT policy instead.