How to Change Passwords on Windows 10

Did you know that you are supposed to change passwords after every 90 days? Sure, this seems complicated, given the effort you put in to get a good password, especially without a password generator. 

However, hackers who may need any information from your computer are trying their best to have access to that password. And, who knows, the hacker may be the person who you least suspected. Thankfully, when using Windows 10, it is easy to change your password and boost security. 

On the other hand, you may have forgotten or lost your password and need to reset it. Whatever your reason, below is a comprehensive guide on the steps to easily change passwords on Windows 10. 

Let’s jump in!

Changing Password on Windows 10 Local Account

A local account is an account that you use on one specific computer. This account has a username and a password that you use to access the system. Changing your local account password does not affect passwords used for other services. 

Here are several ways through which you can change passwords on Windows 10 local accounts. 

#1: Using Sign-in Options 

Step 1: Click on the Windows icon at the bottom left corner of your computer’s desktop screen.

Step 2: Scroll down and access Settings.

Step 3: Select Accounts.

Step 4: Select Sign-in options.

Step 5: Scroll down the Sign-in options, click on Password, then Change.

Step 6: When a prompt appears to confirm your current password, enter your password and click Next.

Step 7: Enter your new password, add a Password hint, and click Next.

Step 9: Click Finish, and you will have successfully changed the password.

#2: Using Keyboard Shortcut CTRL+Alt+Delete

Step 1: Press the keys ctrl+alt+delete to open a list of options.

Step 2: Select Change a password.

Step 3: Enter your old password, your new password, and then confirm the new password.

Once you’ve hit enter, you’ll get a confirmation message saying that your password change was successful!

Otherwise, if the password change is unsuccessful, try and use a stronger password. Ensure that the password has a minimum of eight characters and has a combination of letters, numbers, symbols, and upper and lower case letters. 

Check out the video below to learn more about changing your password on Windows 10 local account.

#3: Using Local Users and Groups

Local users and groups can also help you change passwords in Windows 10. Below are the steps to follow.

Step 1: Go to the ‘This PC’ icon, right-click, and click Manage.

Step 2: A Computer Management Window opens. Locate Local Users and Groups.

Step 3: Select Users and right-click on the user whose password you wish to change. Select Set Password.

Step 4: Confirm whether you want to reset the password of the account you selected by clicking Proceed.

Step 5: Enter the new password twice and click OK.

#3: Using Netplwiz

Netplwiz is a key you run on your Windows 10 computer to activate user accounts. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Click on the Windows icon+R to open the run box. Enter netplwiz.

Step 2: The User Accounts window will open, so select the person whose password you want to change, and select Reset Password, then enter your new password and click OK.

After clicking OK, you will have successfully changed the password of that account. 

#4: Using Command Prompt

If administrator rights are on your account, you can change passwords using the command prompt.

Here is how you do it:

Step 1: On the search bar, search for Command Prompt.

Step 2: Type net user and press enter.

Step 3: Type net user [username new password]. Press enter, and you’re all set.

For instance, if you want to change the password for the account named Tom, your command will be net user Tom 123.

How to Change Your Local Account Password If You Forgot Your Password

If you forgot the current password of your local account, you would need to reset the password. Unfortunately, this option is only available for Windows 10 version 1803 and later. 

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Sign-in options. Click on the password, then Change.
2. When prompted to enter your current password, enter the last password you remember.
3. If the password is incorrect, there is a reset password link below the password field. Click on it to open the password reset wizard. 
4. On the password reset wizard, answer the security questions. Once the security questions are answered, you will be prompted to enter a new password.

If using the Windows version before 1803, you can only reset the password if another local administrator of the account remembers their password. Otherwise, you may have to reset the computer, losing all data and programs installed. 

Change Your Local Password from Another User Account

You can use one user account to change the password of another user account on the same computer. However, the account you use to change the password must have administrative rights. 

Below are the steps you follow.

Step 1: Open the Control Panel by searching “control panel” on the start menu.

Step 2: Select User Accounts.

Step 3: On the window that opens, select Manage another account.

If this option is unavailable, the account you are working on does not have administrative rights.

Step 4: Select the account whose password you would like to manage.

If any account does not have the words “password protected” below it, it has no password. You can open the account without logging in with any password. 

Step 5: Select the Change the password option.

In case you don’t have the change the password option, it means the user signs in using a Microsoft account and not a local account.

Step 6: Type in the new password and confirm it.

You will also find a field to type the password hint, which is optional. If you choose to fill it, remember that it will be visible to everyone using the computer. Therefore, ensure that the hint doesn’t jeopardize the account’s security. 

Since another user changed this account’s password, the user whose password was changed loses access to personal certificates, EFS-encrypted files, and any stored passwords.

How to Change Passwords in Windows 10 Microsoft Account

A Microsoft account is an account you use to access any Microsoft services such as Office online apps, Hotmail, Skype, Onedrive, Xbox, Bing, or Microsoft Store. 

To change the password of your Microsoft account on Windows 10, you should:

Step 1: Log in to the account and click on Security.

Step 2: Click on Change password.

Alternatively, you can click on Password security and go through the authentication steps.

Step 3: Enter the code sent via your email address to verify that you are trying to change the password.

You can copy-paste the code to avoid mistakes.

Step 4: After entering the correct code, enter your current password, enter the old password, and confirm. 

The Microsoft account recommends that you choose a stronger password if you entered a weak password. A strong password has at least eight characters, combines upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, and does not have common names or words. 

How to Change Your Microsoft Account Password If You Can’t Remember Your Current Password

Similar to the local account, you will need to reset your password if you can’t remember your current password. 

Here is how you do it: 

Step 1: Go to account.microsoft.com and click Sign In.

Step 2: When asked to enter a password, click on the Forgot Password option below the field.

Step 3: Select where you would like to receive the verification code.

Step 4: Enter the code you receive and reset your password.

After clicking Next, you get a confirmation that your password has been changed, and you can use the new password to sign into your Microsoft account. 

Wrapping Up

Given how paramount it is to change passwords from time to time, Windows 10 made it easy for its users to change passwords for both local and Microsoft accounts. Use any of the methods given above to change your password and keep your content secure. Moreover, ensure that your password is not easy to crack or guess. Otherwise, you give hackers swift access to your data. 

Up Next 

• How to Check RAM on Windows 10
• How to Change Brightness on Windows 10 with 3 Simple Methods 
• How to Uninstall Apps on Windows 10

The image featured at the top of this post is ©dennizn/Shutterstock.com.