Your Outlook password isn’t just for email — it’s the key to your whole Microsoft account, including OneDrive, Office and your Xbox login. So whether you’re tightening security or you simply can’t get in, changing it is worth doing properly. We at GetMyPassword show you how to change your Outlook password when you know it, reset it when you’ve forgotten it, and why the mobile app behaves a little differently.
Change your Outlook password when you know it
- Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your Outlook or Hotmail address.
- Select Security in the left-hand menu.
- Choose Change password at the top of the page.
- Complete any verification (such as a 2-step code) if prompted.
- Enter your current password, then your new one twice, and select Save.
Reset a forgotten Outlook password
Can’t sign in at all? Head to the Microsoft password reset page at account.live.com/password/reset. Enter your email address, then verify your identity — Microsoft sends a code to a backup email or phone number on the account. Confirm the code and you’ll be able to set a brand-new password.
If you no longer have access to any of those backup methods, Microsoft offers an account recovery form that asks detailed questions about your account to confirm you’re the owner. It takes longer, but it’s the safety net when everything else fails.
Why the Outlook app is different
A common point of confusion: you can’t actually change your password inside the Outlook mobile app. The app only stores the credentials it uses to connect. After you change your password on the web, open the app, tap your profile icon → Settings, choose the affected account and re-enter the new password so it can sync again.
Because one Outlook password unlocks OneDrive, Office and Xbox, treat it as a high-value login. If it ever leaks, change it immediately and sign out of other devices from the Security page.
Lock it down with a strong password
Give an account this important a long, unique password rather than one you reuse elsewhere. Create one instantly with our password generator and confirm it with the strength checker. Then turn on two-step verification, and let your browser remember the password safely — our password manager guide shows how.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change my Outlook email password?
Sign in at account.microsoft.com, open Security, choose Change password, verify if prompted, then enter your current and new password and select Save.
How do I reset my Outlook password if I forgot it?
Go to account.live.com/password/reset, enter your email, verify your identity with a code sent to your backup email or phone, then set a new password.
Can I change my Outlook password in the mobile app?
No. Change it on the web first, then open the app, go to your profile icon → Settings, select the account and re-enter the new password to update the stored credentials.