How to Change Your Outlook Password

Change or reset your Outlook email password when necessary

What to Know

  • On a Mac, go to Tools > Accounts, then select the account, enter a new password, and close the Accounts window.
  • In Windows, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, choose an account, select Change, enter a password, and select Close.

This article explains how to change your Outlook password on a Mac and in Windows.

How to Reset Outlook Password on Mac

If you're using a Mac, changing your Outlook password is simple and fast. First, make sure you have the Outlook app open and ready to go.

  1. With Outlook open, navigate to the Tools tab.

    Photo of Tools tab on Mac
  2. Click Accounts.

    Photo of Accounts window on Mac
  3. In the left pane, highlight the account in which you want to change the password.

  4. In the right pane, choose a new password and enter it into the Password field.

    Photo of password change on Accounts window on Mac
  5. Close the Accounts window and Outlook will save your password automatically.

How to Change Outlook Password on Windows

Changing your Outlook password on Windows is similar to changing your password on a Mac. To start, open Outlook on your desktop.

  1. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.

    Photo of Outlook account settings window
    Microsoft 
  2. Select the account you want to change, then select Change.

    Photo of email account detail window on Windows.
     Microsoft
  3. In the Change Account window, update your password.

    Photo of change account window on Windows
    Microsoft 
  4. Select Close after Outlook completes the test on your account, then select Finish > Close.

If you're having trouble accessing services such as the Xbox network or Skype, you'll need to change your actual Microsoft Account password.

Why Should You Change Your Outlook Password?

It's always a good rule of thumb to change all of your account passwords regularly to combat identify theft, fraud, and hacking. Your Outlook password connects you to your Outlook email, calendar, and other tasks that hold critical information such as:

  • Credit card and purchase information
  • Addresses and telephone numbers
  • Critical documents such as healthcare correspondence
  • Password change alerts for social media and other accounts

Someone gaining access to your Outlook account is gaining access to a wealth of information that should be under lock and key. To protect yourself, change your Outlook password periodically, even if you haven't forgotten it.

Your Outlook account might be one of the most important tools you use on a daily basis. From organizing your calendar to sending an email, Outlook is the complete task management tool.

Instructions in this article apply to Outlook accounts. If you need to change your Google or Yahoo email account password, read How to Change Your Gmail Password and How to Change Your Yahoo Password.

Was this page helpful?