Free Guide to Changing Your Computer Password

Understanding Why You Should Change Your Password

Your computer password is one of the most important security tools you have. It acts as the lock on your digital front door, controlling who can access your files, personal information, and accounts. When you create a strong password and change it regularly, you make it significantly harder for unauthorized people to gain access to your computer.

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Passwords need to be changed periodically because security threats evolve constantly. Hackers develop new techniques to crack passwords, and old passwords may become compromised through data breaches at websites you use or through malware that monitors your typing. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), organizations should change passwords whenever there is reason to suspect they have been compromised, rather than on a fixed schedule. However, many security experts recommend changing your main computer password at least once every few months as a general practice.

Your computer stores sensitive information—financial records, medical documents, photos, and login information for other accounts. When someone gains unauthorized access to your computer, they can steal this information, impersonate you online, drain bank accounts, or use your identity for fraudulent purposes. A 2023 FBI report indicated that identity theft and computer fraud caused over $10 billion in losses to American consumers annually. Changing your password regularly is a straightforward way to reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

You should also change your password if you've shared it with someone who no longer needs access, if you suspect someone has watched you type it, if you've used it on a public or shared computer, or if you created it more than three months ago and haven't updated it since. Taking these steps protects not just your computer, but potentially your financial accounts, your identity, and your peace of mind.

Practical Takeaway: Make a note on your calendar to change your computer password every 90 days. Mark today as your starting point, and set a recurring reminder so this becomes part of your regular routine.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Windows Computers

If you use a Windows computer, changing your password is a straightforward process that takes only a few minutes. Windows offers multiple methods to change your password, depending on which version of Windows you have and what type of account you use. The most common method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, which account for the vast majority of Windows computers in use today.

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Begin by clicking the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen. This opens the Windows menu. Look for the gear icon or the word "Settings" at the bottom of the menu, and click it. The Settings window will open. From there, look for an option labeled "Accounts." This section contains information about your user account and security settings. Click on "Accounts," and then look for a menu on the left side. You should see "Sign-in options" listed. Click on that option.

Within the Sign-in options menu, scroll down until you find a section labeled "Password." You'll see a button that says "Change." Click this button. Windows will then ask you to enter your current password to verify that you are the account owner. Type your current password carefully and click "Next." The system will then prompt you to create a new password. Type your new password in the first box, and then type it again in the second box to confirm it. Windows requires that you type your new password twice to ensure you didn't make any typing mistakes.

After entering your new password twice, you'll see a box asking you to enter a password hint. A password hint is optional but can be helpful. Your hint should be something that reminds you of your password but doesn't reveal it to other people. For example, if your password includes your childhood pet's name, your hint might be "first pet" rather than the actual name. Once you've entered your hint (or left it blank), click "Next." Windows will confirm that your password has been changed. You can now close the Settings window and begin using your new password immediately.

Practical Takeaway: Write down the date you changed your password somewhere safe (like a personal calendar or notebook), so you'll remember when to change it again in three months.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Mac Computers

Mac users can change their computer password through the System Preferences or System Settings application, depending on which version of macOS they're running. The process is similar in concept to Windows but uses Apple's interface design. Mac computers running macOS 12 (Monterey) and newer use "System Settings," while older versions use "System Preferences."

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To begin on a newer Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. This displays a dropdown menu with various options. Look for and click on "System Settings." The System Settings window will open. On the left side of this window, you'll see a list of categories. Look for and click on "General." In the General section, you'll see several options. Look for one that says "Login Items" or scroll to find account-related settings. Actually, for changing your password specifically, you need to go to a different location. Close this and try again: click the Apple menu, then look for an option that says "System Preferences" or return to "System Settings" and look for "Users & Groups" or "Passwords."

In the Users & Groups section (or Accounts section on older Macs), you'll see a list of user accounts on your computer. Your account should be highlighted or listed. You may need to click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner of the window and enter your current password to make changes to account settings. Once you've unlocked the settings, look for a button or option labeled "Change Password." Click this button. The system will ask you to enter your old password first. Type it carefully and press Enter. Then you'll see fields to enter your new password. Type your new password in the first field, type it again in the second field to confirm, and then click "Change Password." Your Mac will confirm that the change has been completed, and your new password will take effect immediately.

Practical Takeaway: If you have trouble finding these settings, you can search for "Change password" using Spotlight (press Command + Space on your Mac) to quickly locate the correct settings panel.

Creating a Strong New Password

A strong password is your primary defense against unauthorized access to your computer. Many people create passwords that are easy to remember but also easy to guess or crack. Research from the University of Maryland found that hackers attempt to break into a computer somewhere in the world every 39 seconds, often by trying common passwords or variations of people's personal information. Creating a genuinely strong password means following specific guidelines that make your password resistant to both guessing and automated cracking attacks.

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A strong password should be at least 12 characters long, though 16 characters or more is even better. Your password should contain a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (such as !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, or *). Avoid using simple patterns like "123456," "QWERTY," or "password" because these are among the most commonly used passwords and are cracked in seconds. Similarly, avoid using personal information that people might know about you, such as your birthday, your pet's name, your street address, or your child's name.

One effective method for creating strong passwords that you can actually remember is to think of a sentence that's meaningful to you, then use the first letter of each word plus some numbers and special characters. For example, if you remember "My daughter graduated high school in 2019," you might create the password "MdghS2019!" This password is long, contains mixed characters, and is meaningful to you (making it easier to remember) while being difficult for others to guess. Another approach is to use a passphrase—three or four random words strung together with numbers or symbols, such as "Purple-Elephant-Mountain-42!"

Avoid passwords that are variations of your username or email address. Don't use the same password for multiple accounts, especially not for both your computer login and important accounts like banking or email. If one password is compromised, criminals will try that same password on other accounts. Never write your password on a sticky note attached to your monitor. If you're concerned about remembering multiple passwords, consider using a password manager—a program that securely stores and generates passwords. Popular password managers include Bitwarden (free version available), 1Password, Dashlane, and LastPass.

Practical Takeaway: Test your new password's strength using an online password strength checker (such as those available at zxcvbn.com or password