How to change your Microsoft account password
Quick answer
Sign in at account.microsoft.com, go to Security, and choose Change password (or Password security). You’ll confirm your identity with a code, then enter a new password. If you’ve forgotten it, use account.live.com/password/reset instead.
Step by step
- Go to your account pageOpen account.microsoft.com in a browser and sign in.
- Open SecuritySelect Security from the menu.
- Choose to change your passwordSelect Change password or Password security, depending on the version of the page you see.
- Verify it's youMicrosoft sends a code to your email address or phone, or asks for approval in the Microsoft Authenticator app.
- Set the new passwordEnter your current password and the new one, then save. Use at least 8 characters and avoid reusing a password from another site.
One Microsoft account password usually covers Outlook.com, OneDrive, Xbox, Microsoft 365, Skype and signing in to Windows, so changing it updates all of them at once.
Forgot your password?
- Go to account.live.com/password/reset.
- Enter your email address, phone number or Skype name.
- Choose how to receive a security code and enter it.
- Create a new password.
If you can’t access any of your recovery options, Microsoft offers an account recovery form that asks questions only the real owner could answer.
Microsoft account or local account?
Windows can use two kinds of sign-in, and they change differently:
| Account type | How to change the password |
|---|---|
| Microsoft account (an email address) | Online at account.microsoft.com, as above |
| Local account (just a name, no email) | Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose Change a password, or use Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options |
To check which one you use, open Settings > Accounts > Your info. If an email address appears, it’s a Microsoft account.
Go passwordless
You can remove the password from your Microsoft account completely and sign in with the Microsoft Authenticator app, Windows Hello or a security key. Find it under Security > Advanced security options > Passwordless account.
For other Windows account questions, see how to get help in Windows.
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