The Windows password helps keep our PCs safe and secure. However, if you feel that your password has been compromised, you can easily change it. There are different ways to change your Windows password, as there are many different types of accounts on a Windows PC. We have explained in detail the different ways for each type of account with simple and swift steps that are easy to follow.
The steps below are the same for both Windows 10 and 11. Although the Graphic User Interface of Windows 10 and 11 has changed, the options and settings remain the same.
Change/Reset/Create Local and Microsoft Account Password in Windows 11
1. How To Change The Password Of A Local Account in Windows 11
The following steps will guide you in changing the local account entry password for the computer. The steps for resetting the password of a Microsoft account are slightly different and are mentioned in the next section.
1. Press Win + I to open the Settings window.
2. Click on the Accounts tab in the left panel.
3. Next, scroll down and click on the Sign-in options box on the right side under account settings.
4. Click on the Password option followed by a click on the Change button.
5. A new box will open where you must type in your password and click the next button.
6. Next, type in the new password twice and provide a password hint.
Note : Create a password using a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
7. Click on the Next button, and your password will be changed.
8. Finally, click on Finish to exit this box.
Also Read: Fixes and Causes For Google Chrome Not Saving Passwords Issue
How To Change Your Local Account Password From Another User Account
If you wish to change the local account password from another account logged in to the same PC, it is also possible. The logged-in account must have administrative rights. Here are the steps:
1. Press Win + R to open the RUN box, type “control” and click on the OK button.
2. The Control Panel window will now open. Ensure that the View By option on the top right corner is set to Category.
3. Click on The User Accounts option and in the new box, click on User Accounts again.
4. Click on the Manage another account link.
Note : The account lacks administrative rights if Manage another account is not accessible.
5. All the user accounts available on this PC will now be available. Click on the user account whose login details you wish to change.
6. Click on the “Change The Password” link.
7. Enter the new password and then retype it to confirm. You may type a password hint as well.
8. Click on the Change Password button.
Tip : If you see a “Create A Password” link instead of “Change The Password” then it means that no password has been set for the account. You can create the password by clicking on it.
If you have an administrative account you can change the entry password to local accounts using this method. The administrator does not need to know the current password of the local accounts.
Also Read: How to Password Protect Files on Windows 11
How To Reset Windows 10 Local Account Password
If you have forgotten the local account password and wish to reset it then you can easily do it as an administrator. The steps are explained above under “How to change local account password from another account” section. But if you want to do it without having administrator rights then here are the steps on how to do that.
1. Click the reset password link that shows up beneath the password field, right beneath your password hint, if you entered a password and it told you it was wrong.
2. Respond to the Password Reset Wizard’s security questions.
3. You will be asked to create a new password when you have satisfactorily answered the security questions.
2. How To Change The Password Of A Microsoft Account in Windows 11
You need to disable a setting first and then only you can change your current password. Here are the steps –
1. Press Win +X to open the Power menu and choose Settings.
2. Click on the Accounts tab in the left panel and the Sign-in options on the right side.
3. Scroll down to Additional Settings and toggle off the button next to the “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device” option.
4. Once this setting is OFF, scroll back up and click on Password.
5. Now, click on the Change button and a box will appear.
6. Enter the new password after entering your old one. Press Next
7. It will notify you that your password has been modified. Press “Finish.”
Editor’s Tip: Change Your Microsoft Account Password OnlineIf you are not able to change the Microsoft Account Password on your PC then you can do it online using the Official website. Here is what you need to do –
This process is useful for those who suspect that their password has been compromised but do not have access to their system. They can use these steps to change the password online from anywhere. Do remember to sign out and use the incognito mode of the browser, if possible. |
How To Reset Microsoft Account Password
1. Use the browser on any other device to navigate to account.microsoft.com.
2. Select “Sign-in.”
3. Type in the email address associated with your account and click Next.
4. Select “Forgot password?”
5. Follow the instructions to confirm your identity.
6. Type in a fresh password. To be sure it was typed correctly, the new one needs to be entered twice.
7. Click Next. You can now sign in normally since your password has been reset to the one you entered in the previous step.
3. How To Change Your Work Or School Account Password
Assuming you remember the password and are not locked out of your account, you can update an existing password for your work or school account using the Change password page of the My Account site. If not, you can reset your password using your mobile device and security information.
1. Enter your current password to access your work or school account on the My Account portal.
2. From the left navigation pane, choose Password or Change Password.
Image Credit: Support.Microsoft.Com
3. After entering your previous password, type a new one and enter it again.
4. Click “Submit.” You will be prompted to re-enter your work or school account when your password has been changed.
How To Change Password Using Previously Made Local Password Reset Disk
Did you know that you can reset the password for your local Windows account using a reset CD or USB flash drive and the Forgotten Password Wizard? Here is what you need to do.
1. Switch the computer on and try to log in with a false password.
2. You will get a message stating “The password is incorrect. Try again.” Click on OK.
3. Click Reset password after inserting the USB flash drive or password reset disk into the computer.
4. The Password Reset Wizard will open.
5. After choosing the location of the password key from the drop-down menu, click Next.
6. To generate a new password and password hint, adhere to the on-screen directions.
7. Click Next and then Finish.
How To Create A Password On Windows 11
If you use a Microsoft account then you can only change the password as explained above. To create a password on a Windows local account, follow these steps.
1. To launch the Windows Settings app, simultaneously press the Windows + I keys.
2. To view your account settings, select ‘Accounts’ from the Settings box.
3. Choose ‘Sign-in options’ from the menu on the right to see the many sign-in possibilities.
4. Locate the ‘Password’ section by scrolling down.
5. Click ‘Add’ if you haven’t already created a password.
6. In the designated field, type your new password. Use a combination of capital and lowercase letters, numerals, and symbols to make sure it’s robust.
7. Enter the password once more time to confirm it.
8. Your user account will appear in a confirmation window. To finish the process, click the ‘Finish’ button in the lower left corner.
Bonus Tip: Change The Sign-in PIN of Your PC
Some users prefer using a four-digit PIN as it is easier to remember and enter instead of the password. Here are quick steps to change your PIN.
1. Press the Windows key and type Settings.
2. Click on the relevant result with the same name.
3. Next, click on the Accounts tab on the left side and the Sign-in option in the right section.
4. Click on PIN and then click on the Change PIN button.
5. You will asked to enter your old PIN first, followed by the new PIN, and then retype the new PIN.
6. Click on the OK button and your PIN has been changed.
Also Read: How To Remove PIN And Password On Windows PC
Have You Changed the Password
We hope that this password-changing guide has helped you change your Windows Passwords. You can press “CTRL + D” to bookmark this page for future use. Do write to us about your password change experience in the comments section
FAQs
How To Change The Lock Screen Password On Windows 11?
The Lock screen password is the same as the Local Account password or the Microsoft Account password. To change it, you need to follow the steps mentioned in the article above under various sections.
