How to Change Your Email Password

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: April 12, 2024

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 composed 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

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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.
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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.
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Brandon Phipps is a Technology Specialist based in Bakersfield, CA. He is the owner of Second Star Technologies and specializes in Managed IT Services for small and mid-sized businesses in Bakersfield, CA. With over 23 years of experience, he offers expert cloud computing, cybersecurity, and network management solutions. Brandon is a committed community member and coach who leads and innovates in tech and sports coaching. His dedication to local businesses and communities is evident in his hands-on, tailored approach to IT solutions.

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Secure your digital life with online password best practices. Choose a long, easy-to-remember passphrase as your password. You should also avoid using the same password for multiple services or websites. Use web browser password managers to create and securely store your passwords.
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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.
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

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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.
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.
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)

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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.
This will often be your real name.
You will be prompted to enter your password again.
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Select from the options on how to receive the "code".
- Click here for tips on creating a strong yet easy-to-remember password.
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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.
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

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.

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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

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.

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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.

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You can easily keep track of your different passwords using a password manager like LastPass or 1Password.^{[4]
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Luigi Oppido
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Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.}

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If you think one of your accounts has previously been compromised in a hack, make sure you use a different password than the one that was compromised.^{[5]
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Luigi Oppido
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Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.}

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If your email account or client is not mentioned in this article, navigate to your email account settings to change your password. If you cannot determine where in your email account to change your password, contact your email provider for further instruction.

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