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  • How Can I Change My Windows 10 Account Password?

How Can I Change My Windows 10 Account Password?

August 21, 2019 / Dave Taylor / Windows PC Help / 5 Comments

I think my partner has guessed my password and is now logging in to my Win10 account to see what I’ve been doing. Uncool. How can I easily change my PC account password?

You’re in luck: The process for changing your password on Microsoft Windows 10 is pretty straightforward once you know where to look. There are also a lot of other ways to gain access to a PC account, however, depending on how you’ve set it up. Have a PIN? A 3-4 digit number is easier to guess – and probably is part of your phone number! – as are some of the other options. If your goal is to really make your account secret and hidden, then a tough to guess password, cryptic reminder hint and no alternative login options is your best friend.

In your situation, however, it might be smarter to just have a candid conversation with your partner about trust and privacy, rather than just change your password. I don’t know the nuances of your situation, but I find that addressing problems is more effective than putting up roadblocks and hoping for the best. Your call, of course.

On the assumption that you just want to change your password, let’s see how that’s done. To start search for “change password” in the Win10 search box:

win10 search 'change password'

That’s what you want! The “Change your password” System setting.

A click or a tap and it’s launched:

win10 account signin options window settings preferences

Here’s where you can require sign-in after sleep, disable Windows Hello, remove a PIN if you have one, etc. Batten down those hatches and as long as you don’t have a trivial password, you’ve just increased your privacy and security.

To actually change your password, click or tap on “Change” just below the prompt “Change your account password”. Pretty obvious, right? 🙂

win10 change password - enter current password

Makes sense if you think about it; you can’t change the password unless you already know the current password. Enter it here, then click or tap on “Next” to proceed.

At this point you’ll be prompted for your new password:

win10 enter new password update

The best passwords include upper and lower case letters, a digit or two and some punctuation marks. Make it memorable and you’ll be less likely to forget it. One common trick: Think of a sentence, then use the first letter of each word. For example, “7 ways I really love my cats!” which offers the basis of 7wIrlmc! for a password. That’s a little bit short so I’d prepend or append something else – or use a longer sentence! – but you get the idea. Not too onerous.

Entered it twice and added a subtle password hint? (In this case it could be “How I feel about my cats!” which is subtle enough not to tip off others and still reminds you to capitalize, use a sentence and end with an exclamation mark).

You’re ready to proceed. Click or tap on “Next” to proceed…

win10 password changed confirmation

Click or tap on “Finish” and you’re done. Now you’re back to stealth mode.

Want to check it out? Log out from the Start menu by clicking on your tiny little account icon::

win10 logout from start menu

I choose “Sign out” and after a few moments, I’m back to looking at the now venerable Windows login:

win10 windows 10 login screen prompt password

Now you know how it’s done. Good luck with your privacy and security!

Pro Tip: I’ve been writing about Windows 10 for eons. Please check out my extensive Win10 help area for lots more content.

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Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!
account password, account security, change password, change pc password, change windows password, password, windows password

5 comments on “How Can I Change My Windows 10 Account Password?”

  1. Ivtheme moses says:
    June 18, 2021 at 7:03 am

    very simple and easy to understand. thanks!

    Reply
  2. chukwumezie emmanuel says:
    December 27, 2019 at 11:55 pm

    Thank you for putting down everything in detail. Very helpful!

    Reply
  3. Lucy Perpetua says:
    October 10, 2019 at 5:25 am

    Very easy to understand. Thanks Dave.

    Reply
  4. Peter says:
    August 26, 2019 at 9:09 am

    That relationship advice is totally unnecessary. It left a bad taste in my mouth.
    Just answer the question.

    Reply
  5. Kenneth says:
    August 21, 2019 at 11:56 am

    Thanks, Dave. Really straightforward.

    Reply

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