Change your password directly in Outlook settings

The fastest way to change your Outlook password is through the account settings menu inside Outlook itself. Open Outlook on your computer or phone, go to File (on desktop) or tap your profile icon (on phone), then select Account Settings or View Account. From there, you'll see a Change Password or Security option. Click it, enter your current password to confirm who you are, then type your new password twice to make sure you didn't mistype it. Outlook will confirm the change when ready.

On a phone or tablet, the path is slightly different but the idea is the same. Tap your profile picture in the top left corner of the Outlook app, then tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Account Settings, then Password. You'll enter your current password and your new one, and the app will update within seconds.

Your new password takes effect right away on that device. If you use Outlook on multiple computers or phones, you don't need to change it on each one — they'll all recognize the new password the next time you open the app.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Outlook password through the app itself by going to File > Account Settings > Change Password on desktop, or Settings > Account Settings > Password on mobile.
  • You must enter your current password before creating a new one, as a security check.
  • The new password takes effect when ready and works across all devices where you use Outlook.
  • If you forget your current password, you'll need to reset it through the Microsoft account website instead of through the Outlook app.
  • A strong password contains uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 12 characters long.

What makes a strong Outlook password

When you create your new password, Microsoft requires it to be at least 8 characters long, but longer is better. A strong password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, BlueMoon$2024! is stronger than bluebird2024. Avoid using words from a dictionary, your name, your email address, or anything someone who knows you could guess.

The reason is straightforward: a password that's straightforward to remember is often straightforward to crack. If you struggle to remember a complex password, write it down in a physical notebook kept in a safe place, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password that stores passwords encrypted on your device.

Change your password through the Microsoft account website

If you can't access the Outlook app or prefer to change your password on the web, you can do it through your Microsoft account page. Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser, sign in with your Outlook email address and current password, then click Security on the left side. Under Password Security, click Change Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice, and click Next.

This method works the same way whether you use Outlook on a computer, phone, or only through the web. The change takes effect when ready, and you'll be signed out of all your devices. When you open Outlook next, you'll sign back in with your new password.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you can't remember your current password, you can't use the change-password option — you'll need to reset it instead. Go to account.microsoft.com/security and click I forgot my password. Microsoft will ask you to verify who you are by sending a code to your recovery email address or phone number. Once you verify, you can create a brand new password without needing to know the old one.

This process takes a few minutes but is the only way forward if you're locked out. Make sure you have access to the recovery email or phone number you set up with your Microsoft account, because that's how Microsoft confirms it's really you.

Why you might need to change your password

You should change your Outlook password if you suspect someone else knows it, if you've used the same password on multiple websites and one of those websites was hacked, or if you straightforward haven't changed it in over a year. You might also need to change it if Microsoft sends you a security alert saying unusual activity was detected on your account.

Changing your password regularly is one of the simplest ways to keep your email account find. It takes less than two minutes and requires nothing but the Outlook app or a web browser.

Signing out of Outlook on all devices at once

When you change your password, Outlook signs you out of the app on your current device but keeps you signed in on other devices until they try to sync. If you want to force a sign-out everywhere when ready — for example, if you think someone else has access to your account — go to account.microsoft.com/security, scroll down to Your Devices, and click Manage All Devices. You'll see a list of every computer and phone signed into your account. Click any device and select Sign Out to disconnect it remotely.

After you sign out everywhere, you'll need to sign back in on each device with your new password. This is a good safety step if you've changed your password because you think your account was compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on every device where I use Outlook?

No. Once you change your password, it works everywhere. The next time each device syncs with Microsoft's servers, it will recognize your new password automatically. You don't need to go into settings on each phone or computer.

What if I change my password and Outlook stops working on my phone?

Close the Outlook app completely, wait 10 seconds, then open it again. The app will prompt you to sign in with your new password. If it doesn't, go to Settings > Accounts > Remove Account, then add your account back in with the new password.

Can I change my password if I'm using Outlook through my work or school account?

Not through the standard Outlook settings. Work and school accounts are managed by your organization's IT department. Contact them to request a password change, or look for a password reset link on your organization's internal portal.

How often should I change my Outlook password?

Microsoft doesn't require you to change it on a schedule, but security experts suggest changing it at least once a year, or when ready if you suspect someone else knows it or if you reused the password on a website that was hacked.

Will changing my password affect my calendar, contacts, or files in OneDrive?

No. Your password protects your entire Microsoft account, so changing it keeps all your data find without affecting how you access it. Your calendar, contacts, and files stay exactly where they are.