How to Change Your Email Password

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: March 10, 2023

Changing your email password regularly can protect your email account from hackers and possible identity theft. When changing your password, you should choose a new, strong password that is not used with any other online account, and that contains a minimum of 8 characters comprised of letters, numbers, and symbols. To make your password even more difficult for others to guess, you should avoid including personal information in your password that you often share with others; such as your birth date, phone number, and the name of your pet or child.

Things You Should Know

You can change any web-based email password, such as Gmail, Hotmail, or Outlook, in your account settings.
If you use an email client to check your email, make sure to update settings with your new password after changing it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Gmail

1
Log into the Gmail website using your Gmail account. You can't change your Gmail password using the mobile app.
- If you are trying to reset your password because you can't access your account, click here.
2
Click the Gear button and select "Settings".

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3
Click the "Accounts and Import" tab.
4
Click the "Change password" link.
5
Enter your current password, and then enter your new password. You will need to type it twice to confirm it.
- Click here for tips on creating a strong yet easy-to-remember password.
6
Click "Change Password" to save your new password.^{[1]
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- Your Gmail password is the same password for all of Google's products and services, including Drive, YouTube, and Hangouts. If you are logged into any Google services, such as on your mobile phone, you will be prompted to log in with your new password.
7
Adjust your mail client settings (if necessary). If you're using Outlook or another email program to manage your Gmail account, you'll need to change the password in your account settings in Outlook. Click here for instructions.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Yahoo! Mail

1
Log into the Yahoo! Mail website using your Yahoo! account.
- If you are trying to reset your password because you aren't able to get into your account, click here.
2
Hover over the Gear button and select "Account Info".
3
Click the "Account security" tab on the left.
4
Click "Change password".
5
Enter your new password. You will need to type it twice to confirm it.
- Click here for tips on creating a strong yet easy-to-remember password.
6
Click "Continue" to save your new password.^{[2]
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- Your Yahoo! Mail password is the same password for all other Yahoo! products, including Yahoo! Messenger and Yahoo! Finance.
7
Adjust your mail client settings (if necessary). If you're using Outlook or another email program to manage your Yahoo! account, you'll need to change the password in your account settings in Outlook. Click here for instructions.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Outlook.com (Hotmail)

1
Log into the Outlook.com website using your Microsoft or Hotmail account. Outlook.com is the new name for Hotmail.
- If you can't access your account because you don't remember your password, click here.
2
Click your account name in the upper-right corner. This will often be your real name.
3
Select "Account settings". You will be prompted to enter your password again.
4
Click the "Change password" link in the "Security & privacy" section.
5
Select from the options on how to receive the "code".
- Click here for tips on creating a strong yet easy-to-remember password.
6
Click on "Send Code".^{[3]
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- Your Outlook.com password is the same for all other products linked with that Microsoft Account. This can include Windows 8, Xbox Live, Skype, and more.
7
Adjust your mail client settings (if necessary). If you're using Outlook or another email program to manage your Outlook.com account, you'll need to change the password in your account settings in Outlook. Click here for instructions.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What's the best way to save passwords?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You have two main options. First, you can use a password manager to keep track of all of your passwords for you. You'll just need to remember one master password. Your second option is to keep all of your passwords written down on paper. If you go that route, make sure you're keeping your list of passwords somewhere secure where other people can't find them, like in a safe.
Question

How do you protect a previously compromised account from hackers?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If one of your accounts was compromised, make sure your new password is nothing like the old one. Don't use that password on any of your accounts.
Question

What do I do if I've forgotten my email password?

Community Answer

When you go to your login page, you should see an option that says, "I forgot my password." You'll be asked to answer your security questions before being able to change your password.