Changing your Outlook password is something most people only need to do occasionally — but when you do need it, it’s not always obvious where to go. The process depends on what type of account you have, and getting that wrong sends you in circles.
Here’s the short version: if your Outlook uses a Microsoft account (which most do), you change the password through Microsoft’s account settings, not inside Outlook itself. If it’s a work or school account, your IT department controls it. If it’s a third-party account like Gmail connected to Outlook, you change it at that provider’s site.
This guide covers all three scenarios.
First: What Type of Account Do You Have?
Open Outlook and check your email address. The account type is usually clear from the domain:
Microsoft account — any @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com address. You change this password at account.microsoft.com.
Work or school account — your company or school email, often @yourcompany.com. Your organization manages this through Microsoft 365 or Active Directory. You either change it at mysignins.microsoft.com or through whatever system your IT department uses.
Third-party account connected to Outlook — Gmail (@gmail.com), Yahoo (@yahoo.com), or another provider. Outlook is just displaying these emails. The password lives at Google, Yahoo, or wherever the account is hosted — Outlook has no control over it.
How to Change a Microsoft Account Password (Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live)
This is the most common scenario.
- Go to account.microsoft.com in any browser and sign in
- Click Security in the top navigation
- Click Change my password
- Enter your current password, then your new password twice
- Click Save
That’s it. The change applies everywhere your Microsoft account is used — Outlook on the web, the desktop app, mobile apps, Xbox, and any other Microsoft service.
After changing it, Outlook on your devices will prompt you to sign in again. Just enter the new password when it asks.
Can’t remember your current password? On the sign-in page, click “Forgot my password” and Microsoft walks you through verification via your recovery email, phone number, or authenticator app.
How to Change a Work or School Account Password
If your Outlook email is managed by your employer or school, you have two options depending on how your organization is set up.
Option 1: Self-service password reset Go to mysignins.microsoft.com, sign in with your work account, and look for the option to change or reset your password. This works if your IT team has enabled self-service password reset (most modern Microsoft 365 organizations have).
Option 2: Ctrl + Alt + Delete (on Windows) If you’re on a company-managed Windows computer, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select “Change a password.” This changes your domain or Microsoft 365 password directly.
Option 3: Contact IT If neither of the above works, your organization may have disabled self-service resets or uses a different system (like Okta or another identity provider). Your IT helpdesk can reset it for you, usually in a few minutes.
One thing worth knowing: work accounts often have password expiration policies. If Outlook is suddenly asking for your password after months of working fine, it’s usually because your password expired rather than anything going wrong.
How to Change a Gmail or Other Third-Party Password in Outlook
Outlook connects to external accounts via IMAP or POP — it displays your emails but doesn’t manage your credentials. To change the password, go to the actual provider:
Gmail: myaccount.google.com → Security → Password
Yahoo Mail: login.yahoo.com → Security → Change password
Apple iCloud: appleid.apple.com → Sign-In and Security → Password
After changing the password at the provider, Outlook will ask you to re-enter it. In the Outlook desktop app, it usually prompts automatically. If it doesn’t:
- Go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings
- Select your account and click Change
- Update the password field and click Next
On Outlook mobile, go to Settings → your account → Re-enter password.
Changing Your Password Directly in Outlook (Desktop App)
The Outlook desktop app doesn’t let you change your Microsoft account password from within the app — it redirects you to the web. But for third-party accounts, you can update the saved password through the app’s account settings as described above.
On Outlook for Mac:
- Go to Tools → Accounts
- Select your account
- Update the password field
On Outlook mobile (iOS/Android):
- Tap the menu icon, then Settings
- Tap your account name
- Tap Re-enter password or Change password depending on your account type
What to Do After Changing Your Password
A few things to handle once the password is changed:
Sign back in on all devices. Your phone, tablet, work computer, and home computer will all need the new password entered. Outlook will prompt you automatically on most devices.
Update saved passwords in your browser. If you use Outlook on the web and your browser has the old password saved, update it to avoid lockouts.
Check connected apps. Any app that uses your Microsoft account — Teams, OneDrive, Office apps — may also ask for the new password.
Turn on two-factor authentication if you haven’t already. Changing your password is a good moment to also enable 2FA. It adds a second layer of protection that a password alone doesn’t provide. This and other account security practices are covered in detail in the guide on how to protect your privacy online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I change my Outlook password? Go to account.microsoft.com if you have a personal Microsoft account (@outlook.com, @hotmail.com, etc.). For work accounts, try mysignins.microsoft.com or contact your IT department.
Can I change my Outlook password from within the app? For Microsoft accounts, no — Outlook redirects you to account.microsoft.com. For third-party accounts like Gmail connected to Outlook, you can update the saved password in File → Account Settings.
My Outlook keeps asking for my password. What’s wrong? Usually one of three things: your password recently changed and wasn’t updated in Outlook, your work account password expired, or there’s an authentication issue with your account. Re-entering the correct current password usually fixes it.
I forgot my Outlook password. How do I reset it? Go to account.microsoft.com, click “Sign in,” then “Forgot my password.” Microsoft will verify your identity via your recovery email or phone number and let you set a new one.
Does changing my Microsoft password affect other Microsoft apps? Yes. One Microsoft account password covers Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Xbox, and all other Microsoft services. Changing it updates access everywhere.
How often should I change my Outlook password? Security guidance has shifted on this — Microsoft no longer recommends mandatory regular changes for personal accounts. A strong unique password with two-factor authentication is more effective than frequent changes. Change it when you suspect a breach or if you’ve reused the same password elsewhere.
Can my employer see my Outlook password? No. Passwords are stored as hashes, not plain text — even IT administrators can’t see your actual password. They can reset it, but not read it.
What makes a good Outlook password? At least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid anything based on personal information or dictionary words. A password manager makes this easy to manage without memorizing everything.
The Bottom Line
Changing your Outlook password takes two minutes once you know where to go. Personal Microsoft accounts change at account.microsoft.com. Work accounts go through mysignins.microsoft.com or your IT team. Third-party accounts like Gmail change at the provider’s own security settings, then get updated inside Outlook.
After changing it, update all your devices and take the opportunity to turn on two-factor authentication if it’s not already on — a changed password with 2FA is significantly more secure than either measure alone.
