The fastest way to change your Outlook password

You can change your Outlook password directly from the account settings page in about two minutes. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your current password, select Security from the left menu, then choose Change password. Enter your current password once, then type your new password twice, and select Next. Microsoft will send a confirmation code to your recovery email or phone — enter that code and you're done.

If you're changing your password because you think someone else has accessed your account, also check the Recent activity section on that same Security page. It shows which devices have signed in and from where. You can sign out all other sessions from there if you need to.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your password at account.microsoft.com under Security, not from within the Outlook app itself.
  • Microsoft requires you to verify the change by entering a code sent to your recovery email or phone number.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters and include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol.
  • After you change your password, you may need to sign back in on your phone, tablet, or other devices that use Outlook.

What makes a strong Outlook password

Microsoft requires passwords to be at least eight characters long and to include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol (like ! @ # $ % ^ & *). Avoid using your name, email address, or common words that appear in the dictionary. A phrase like "Coffee$Morning2024!" is stronger than "Password123" because it mixes character types in a way that is harder to guess.

If you use the same password across multiple accounts, changing it in Outlook is a good time to make each one different. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager in your browser can store unique passwords so you do not have to remember them all.

Signing back in on your devices after a password change

When you change your Outlook password, you stay signed in on the device you used to make the change. On other devices — your phone, tablet, or a second computer — Outlook will ask you to sign in again the next time it tries to check your email. This is normal and a security feature.

On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Outlook app, tap your account icon, select Settings, find your email account, and tap Sign in again. Enter your new password. On a Windows or Mac computer, open Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, right-click your email account, select Change, and enter your new password.

If you forgot your current password

You cannot change your password without knowing your current one. Instead, go to account.microsoft.com and select Can't access your account? at the bottom of the sign-in screen. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number. Once verified, you can set a new password without entering the old one.

This process usually takes a few minutes, but if Microsoft cannot reach your recovery email or phone, it may take longer. That is why setting up a recovery email and phone number now — before you need them — matters. You can add or update these in the Security section of account.microsoft.com.

Passwords and third-party apps that use your Outlook account

Some apps and services (like Slack, Zapier, or your smart home system) may ask for your Outlook password to read your email or calendar. Do not give them your actual password. Instead, create an app password — a separate, temporary password that works only with that specific app.

To create an app password, go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, then App passwords. Choose the app and device, and Microsoft generates a 16-character password. Use that password in the app instead of your real one. If you later change your main Outlook password, the app password stays the same, so the app keeps working. If you stop using the app, delete its password from this same page.

What to do if you think your account was hacked

If you changed your password because you saw suspicious activity, also check your Recent activity page at account.microsoft.com. It lists every device and location that has signed into your account. If you see a sign-in from a place you do not recognize or a device you do not own, select it and choose This wasn't me. Microsoft will sign that session out when ready.

Next, review your Connected apps & services in the Security section. Remove any app or service you do not recognize or no longer use. If your recovery email or phone number has changed without your permission, update it right away. Finally, consider turning on two-step verification in the Security section — this requires a code from your phone every time you sign in from a new device, which makes it much harder for someone else to access your account even if they have your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my Outlook password?

There is no single right answer — it depends on your risk tolerance and how many people might have seen it. If you use a strong, unique password and have two-step verification on, changing it once a year is reasonable. If you think someone has seen it or you reuse it across accounts, change it now.

Can I use the same password for Outlook and other accounts?

You can, but it is risky. If one service is hacked and your password is stolen, someone can use it to access all your other accounts. A password manager makes it straightforward to use a different strong password for each account without having to remember them.

What if I change my password but Outlook still will not sign in on my phone?

Wait a few minutes — sometimes it takes a moment for the change to sync across Microsoft's servers. Then try signing out completely from the Outlook app and signing back in with your new password. If that does not work, delete the app, restart your phone, and reinstall it from the app store.

Does changing my Outlook password affect my Microsoft account password?

Your Outlook email and Microsoft account are the same thing — they use one password. Changing it in one place changes it everywhere. If you use your Microsoft account to sign into Windows, Xbox, or other Microsoft services, you will need the new password there too.

Can I see a history of when my password was changed?

Microsoft does not show a password change history, but you can see your recent account activity at account.microsoft.com under Security. If you see a sign-in at a time you did not make a change, that is a sign someone else may have accessed your account.