Windows 11 · Windows
Set or Change a Password in Windows 11
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Use Accounts > Sign-in options for a local-account password, or change a Microsoft-account password through Microsoft. Keep Windows Hello as a separate device sign-in method.
Prepare the task and protect the current state
Confirm the exact account, ownership, recovery method, age or family status, and organization policies before changing access. Never share passwords, verification codes, recovery keys, payment data, cookies, or session tokens with supposed support. Begin by confirming this task-specific prerequisite: Open Settings > Accounts > Your info and check whether you use a Microsoft account, local account, or work or school account.
Identify the account type
Open Settings > Accounts > Your info and check whether you use a Microsoft account, local account, or work or school account.
Change a local password
Open Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change and verify the existing password before setting a strong new one.
Change a Microsoft-account password
Use Microsoft's account-security page or the password recovery flow. The change applies to Microsoft services, not just this PC.
Keep Windows Hello separate
A PIN is device-specific and is not the Microsoft-account password. Update it from PIN (Windows Hello) if needed.
Verify the complete result
Repeat the intended action with a harmless test and confirm this final condition: A PIN is device-specific and is not the Microsoft-account password. Update it from PIN (Windows Hello) if needed. Reopen the relevant settings, destination, account, device, or application and compare it with the recorded starting state before deleting data, removing a recovery path, or relying on the change.
Use a reversible recovery path
If the result differs, undo only the latest change when possible, keep the original data, account, device configuration, driver, or installer intact, and compare the exact symptom with the linked Microsoft Support guidance. Record the version, time, error, and completed checks before contacting official support.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If “Set or Change a Password in Windows 11” remains unresolved, identify the first numbered step that produces a different result and preserve that screen, log, file, or message. Recheck the specific account, permission, storage, connection, driver, or hardware prerequisite above, then follow only the matching Microsoft Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, unofficial installers, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform update.