The fastest way to change your password depends on your operating system

On Windows 10 or 11, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then select "Change a password." Type your current password, then your new password twice. The system will confirm the change immediately.

On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), select "General," then click "Login Items" or search for "password." You'll see "Change Password" — click it, enter your current password, then your new one twice.

On Chromebook, click the time in the bottom right corner, select the Settings gear, go to "Security and Privacy," then "Manage your Google Account." Click the "Security" tab and scroll to "Password" — you'll change your Google account password there, which controls your Chromebook login.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password" from the menu that appears.
  • Mac users open System Settings, find the password or login section, and click "Change Password."
  • Chromebook passwords are tied to your Google account, so you change them through your Google account security settings, not on the device itself.
  • You will need to know your current password before you can set a new one on any device.
  • A strong password contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid birthdays, names, or dictionary words.

What makes a password strong

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like !@#$%^&*. Avoid using your name, birthdate, pet's name, or common words that appear in the dictionary — these are the first things someone trying to guess your password will try.

Do not reuse passwords across different accounts. If one website is breached and your password is stolen, a person with that password can try it on your email, banking, and work accounts. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager in your browser can store unique passwords so you only have to remember one master password.

Windows: Step-by-step password change

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard at the same time. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Change a password" — it's usually the second or third option on the list.

A dialog box will open asking for your current password. Type it in the first field. In the second field, type your new password. In the third field, type your new password again to confirm you typed it correctly. Click the arrow or press Enter. Windows will tell you whether the change succeeded.

If you see an error message, the most common reason is that your new password doesn't meet your organization's requirements — it may need to be longer, include a number, or include a special character. Your IT department or computer manual will list those rules.

Mac: Step-by-step password change

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older ones). Look for "General" in the sidebar and click it. On some versions, you'll see "Login Items" or a lock icon — click that.

You may see a lock icon in the bottom left corner of the window. Click it and enter your current password to unlock the settings. Once unlocked, look for "Change Password" and click it. Enter your current password in the first field, your new password in the second, and your new password again in the third field to confirm. Click "Change Password" to save.

If you don't see a password option in System Settings, try clicking the Apple menu, then "System Settings," then searching for "password" using the search box in the top right. This will take you directly to the password change screen.

Chromebook: Changing your Google account password

Your Chromebook login is tied to your Google account, so you change your password through Google, not through the Chromebook itself. Click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen. A menu will appear. Click the Settings gear icon.

In Settings, look for "Security and Privacy" in the left sidebar and click it. Scroll down until you see "Manage your Google Account" and click it. This will open your Google account page in a new tab. Click the "Security" tab at the top.

Scroll down the Security page until you see "Password" with a lock icon next to it. Click "Change Password." Google will ask you to sign in again to confirm it's really you. Enter your current password, then your new password twice, and click "Change Password." The next time you sign into your Chromebook, use your new password.

What to do if you forget your password

On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen. Windows will ask security questions you set up when you created the account, or it will send a code to your backup email or phone number. Answer the questions or enter the code, then create a new password.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command+Q when you see the login screen. This opens Recovery Mode. Click "Utilities" in the menu bar, then "Reset Password." Select your account and enter a new password. Restart the computer and log in with your new password.

On Chromebook, click "Forgot email?" on the login screen. Google will walk you through recovery using a backup email address or phone number you added to your account. If you don't have access to those, you may need to factory reset the Chromebook, which erases everything on it — contact your school or workplace IT department before doing this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my password?

If you use a strong, unique password and no breach has exposed it, changing it once a year is enough. If a website you use is breached, change that password immediately. If you think someone has accessed your account, change it right away.

Can I use the same password on multiple devices?

Your Windows password, Mac password, and Chromebook password are separate and can be different. Using different passwords across devices is safer — if someone guesses one, they won't automatically have access to all your devices.

What if I'm locked out and can't remember any backup information?

On Windows, you may be able to use another administrator account on the computer to reset the password. On Mac, Recovery Mode lets you reset the password without knowing the old one. On Chromebook, contact your school or workplace — they may be able to help you recover the account or reset the device.

Do I need to change my password if I just changed it last month?

No. Changing your password frequently doesn't make it more secure if it's already strong and unique. Change it only if you suspect it's been compromised, if a service you use has been breached, or if you haven't changed it in over a year.