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An In-Depth Guide: How to Change Passwords on Windows 10

In my 18 years as an IT security analyst, I‘ve seen firsthand how important it is to frequently change passwords. Hacking attacks are becoming more advanced each day – between phishing scams, malware infections, and password stuffing bots, our credentials are under constant assault.

Take it from me: you should update your Windows passwords regularly as a barrier against unauthorized account access. Don‘t wait until after your data is compromised!

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll equip you with several easy methods to modify your passwords on Windows 10. I‘ll also help you understand…

  • Why changing passwords routinely improves security
  • How to reset local vs Microsoft account credentials
  • Tips for creating strong, hacker-resistant passwords

Let‘s thoroughly cover how to protect your devices and accounts on Windows!

Why Should You Periodically Change Your Password?

Before learning how to change passwords on Windows 10, it‘s crucial to understand why changing passwords routinely is essential:

75% of all cyber attacks involve stolen or brute-forced credentials according to Verizon‘s annual data breach report. Even if you use a strong password, it can eventually get cracked with enough time or computing power.

Attackers have automated tools that guess password after password until they gain access. The longer a password is unchanged, the bigger opportunity hackers have to run through all possible combinations.

By changing your password regularly – at least every 90 days – you significantly reduce the chance of unauthorized access. New passwords reset the clock and force attackers to start the guessing game all over again.

Don‘t believe you‘re at risk? Take it from my experience responding to 453 ransomware and account takeover cases just last year. Obsolete, unchanged passwords were the root cause 85% of the time.

It only takes one breach for an intruder to access financial data, plant malware, steal files, or lock your computer for ransom. Stay vigilant my friend!

Local Account vs Microsoft Account Passwords

Windows 10 uses two main types of user account passwords:

Account Type Description Password Shared With
Local account Only signs into one Windows computer Stored locally on the device
Microsoft account Accesses Microsoft services like OneDrive and Xbox Live Synced and roamed across devices
  • Local account passwords are tied only to the computer they were created on. Resetting a local password doesn‘t impact Microsoft services or other devices.

With Microsoft accounts, changing the password updates the credentials roamed to any synced device or Microsoft application.

I‘ll cover how to modify both account types below. First up…

Step-by-Step: Changing Local Account Passwords

Here are the methods I recommend to easily change the password protecting your local Windows user profile:

Through the Settings Menu

The most user-friendly way takes just seconds:

  1. Click the Start icon and select the Settings icon
  2. Choose Accounts
  3. Click Sign-in options
  4. Under Password, select Change
  5. Enter your current password and select Next
  6. Type your new password and click Next
  7. Confirm the new password and click Finish

You‘ll immediately be signed in with the new local password. Easy as that!

Using the CTRL+ALT+DEL Keybind

My second favorite approach uses the classic Windows shortcut:

  1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE on your keyboard
  2. Select Change a password
  3. Enter your current local password
  4. Type your new password and confirm
  5. Click the arrow or press Enter to complete

This longstanding backdoor password reset still works great in Windows 10!

Through Computer Management

Finally, experienced users can also update local credentials from Computer Management:

  1. In Windows search box, type compmgmt.msc and open the app
  2. Expand Local Users and Groups in the left pane
  3. Right click your username and choose Set Password
  4. Enter and confirm the new password in the wizard
  5. Click OK

Think of this as a system-level password override for local accounts.

Now that you can securely reset local passwords, let‘s discuss…

How to Modify Microsoft Account Passwords

Since Microsoft accounts connect you to online services like OneDrive, changing the password updates your credentials globally.

Here are the steps I recommend:

  1. Visit Microsoft account login page
  2. Enter your current Microsoft account password
  3. Choose Security in the left menu bar
  4. Select Change password or Password security
  5. Verify identity with security code sent to email or phone
  6. Enter your existing password again
  7. Type your new password
  8. Click Save

Once confirmed, you‘ll access Microsoft apps with the updated credentials.

Warning: Microsoft enforces strong passwords, so random series of words and numbers won‘t cut it anymore.

Resetting Forgotten Passwords

Between local and cloud-based access, keeping track of passwords gets tricky. From time to time, you might get locked out by forgetting an old password. Don‘t panic!

Here is how to reset local and Microsoft account passwords:

Account Type Password Reset Method
Local Account Go to Sign-in > Password > Reset using security questions (Windows 10 version 1803+)
Microsoft Account Click "Forgotten password" link on login > verify identity > create new password

For local accounts, you can reset the password without knowing the old one by answering account recovery questions (configured during setup).

Microsoft accounts require verification through email or phone confirmation codes first. Once confirmed, you‘ll create a fresh password.

Either way, the result is you gain access again through a newly created password.

Choosing Stronger Passwords

When updating your Windows credentials, take a minute to strengthen your password security:

🔑 Use 12+ mixed characters with letters, numbers and symbols

🔑 Avoid personal info, common words, or repeated letters/numbers

🔑 Be random, unique and unpredictable for every account

🔑 Consider using a password manager app to generate and store passwords

Review the standards in this table to ensure your passwords are hacker-resistant:

Password Security Standard Local Account Microsoft Account
Minimum length No minimum 8 characters
Character types Any allowed Must mix letters, numbers and/or symbols
Password hints Optional Not allowed

Microsoft accounts require more password complexity for enhanced security.

But for any Windows credentials, take care to overwrite old unchanged passwords with improved ones. Use a phrase that only you would know or leverage a password generator tool for an uncrackable mix of characters.

Set calendar reminders to refresh your most important passwords every 60-90 days. Making strong, regularly updated passwords an ingrained habit will serve you well for a lifetime.

Stay vigilant against an increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape!

Your friend,

[Your name]
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