How to Change Your Outlook Password

You should change your Outlook password regularly to avoid having your account stolen or hacked. Before changing your password, first identify if you’re using Microsoft 365 or the basic Outlook.com email. Then, follow the step that corresponds to your account type.

Changing the Outlook Password for Microsoft 365 Users

The steps below apply only to Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Open your browser and sign in to office.com.
Click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the window.
Click the gear icon.
Select Change your password at the bottom of the right panel.
Click Change your password.
Enter your old password in the input field under Old password.
Type your old password.
Type your new password in the input field under Create new password. Use at least three of the following: lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The password should also be at least eight characters.
Enter a new password.
Retype your new password in the input field under Confirm new password. Then, click Submit.
Enter your new password again, then click Submit.
Sign in to your account using your new password.
Enter your new password and press Sign in.
To open the Outlook web app using your new password, click on the Outlook logo in the left panel. This will open the Outlook web app automatically.
Select the Outlook logo.

Outlook opened in the web app using the new password.
To open the Outlook desktop app using your new password, launch the Outlook app. You will then be asked to sign in. Type your new password, then hit Sign in. You can now use your Microsoft 365 account as usual.
Enter your new password, then click Sign in.

Outlook opened in the desktop app using the new password.

Changing the Outlook Password for Outlook.com Users

The following steps apply to users with an email ending in @outlook.com.

Sign in to microsoft.com and click the profile logo on the window’s top-right corner.
Click the profile logo.
Select My Microsoft account found under your email address.
Click My Microsoft account.
Go to the Security tab.
Click Security.
Click Change password in the upper portion of the window.
Select Change password.
Click on your backup email to verify your identity.
Click your backup email.
Type your backup email in the input field. Then, select Send code.
Type your email, then click Send code.
Check your backup email for the code and type it in the input field. Then, click Verify.
Type the code, then click Verify.
Type your current password in the input field under Current password.
Enter your current password.
Enter a new password in the input field under New password.
Type your new password.
Enter your new password again in the input field under Reenter password. Then, hit Save.
Type your new password again, then click Save.
To open the Outlook web app using your new password, go to outlook.com and sign in.
Sign in to outlook.com.

Outlook opened on the web using the new password.
To open the Outlook desktop app using your new password, launch the app. It will automatically update the password for you.
Outlook opened in the desktop app using the new password.