Where to change your Microsoft password

You can change your Microsoft password from any device with a web browser by going to account.microsoft.com and signing in. Once you are signed in, select "Security" from the left menu, then find "Password" and select "Change password." You will be asked to enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it.

If you use Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can also change your password directly on your computer. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select "Change a password," enter your old password, type your new password twice, and press Enter. This method works only if you are signed into Windows with your Microsoft account.

On a phone or tablet, open the Microsoft account app or go to account.microsoft.com in your browser, sign in, tap "Security," find "Password," and follow the same steps as on a computer.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way is to visit account.microsoft.com, sign in, go to Security, and select Change Password.
  • On Windows 10 or 11, you can change your password without opening a browser by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting Change a Password.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and should include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols for security.
  • After you change your password, you will be signed out of all devices and will need to sign back in with your new password.

What happens after you change your password

When you change your Microsoft password, you are immediately signed out of all devices where you were signed in. This includes your computer, phone, tablet, Xbox, and any web browsers. You will need to sign back in on each device using your new password.

The sign-out happens for security reasons — it prevents someone who may have known your old password from staying signed in without your knowledge. On most devices, you will be prompted to enter your new password the next time you try to use Microsoft services like Outlook, OneDrive, or Office.

Creating a strong new password

Microsoft requires your new password to be at least 8 characters long. The strongest passwords combine uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid using your name, username, or common words that appear in the dictionary.

A password like "BlueSky2024!" is stronger than "password123" because it mixes character types. If you have trouble remembering a complex password, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you automatically.

If you cannot sign in to change your password

If you have forgotten your current password and cannot sign in to account.microsoft.com, select "Can't access your account" on the sign-in page. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions, entering a code sent to your recovery email or phone number, or providing other proof that you own the account.

The recovery process usually takes a few minutes to an hour. You will need access to either the email address or phone number you registered with your Microsoft account. If you no longer have access to those, the recovery process takes longer and may require additional verification steps.

Changing your password on specific devices

On Windows 10 or 11, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select "Change a password," and follow the prompts. This works only if you are signed in with a Microsoft account (not a local account).

On Mac, you cannot change your Microsoft password through System Preferences. Instead, go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser, sign in, and change it there. The change will take effect the next time you sign into Microsoft services on your Mac.

On iPhone or iPad, open the Microsoft account app or visit account.microsoft.com in Safari, sign in, tap your profile picture, select "Security," and choose "Change password."

On Android, open the Microsoft account app, tap your profile picture, select "Security," and choose "Change password."

Keeping your account secure after changing your password

After you change your password, take a moment to review your account security. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Security," and look at "Recent activity" to see where you have signed in recently. If you see sign-ins from places you do not recognize, select them and choose "This wasn't me" to sign out that session.

You should also check your recovery options — the email address and phone number Microsoft uses to help you regain access if you forget your password. If either one is outdated, update it now. A current recovery email and phone number make it much faster to regain access if you ever get locked out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my Microsoft password?

Microsoft does not require you to change your password on a set schedule. You should 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 over a year. Changing it once a year is a reasonable security practice.

Will changing my password affect my Microsoft Office or OneDrive files?

No. Your files in Office, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services remain exactly where they are. Changing your password only changes how you sign in — it does not touch your documents, photos, or data. You will simply need to sign in again with your new password on devices where you were previously signed in.

What if I change my password but still cannot sign in?

Wait a few minutes — it can take time for the password change to sync across Microsoft's servers. If you still cannot sign in after 15 minutes, make sure you are typing your new password correctly (passwords are case-sensitive). If you are still stuck, go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account" to start the recovery process.

Can I change my password on my Xbox or other device?

You can change your Microsoft password on any device with a web browser by visiting account.microsoft.com. You cannot change it directly on an Xbox, but the change will take effect immediately on all devices. You will be signed out of your Xbox and will need to sign back in with your new password.