How to Create a Password in Windows

Create a password in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP

What to Know

  • Windows 11, 10 & 8: Open Control Panel. Select User Accounts (Windows 11/10) or User Accounts and Family Safety (Windows 8).
  • Choose User Accounts > Make changes to my account in PC settings > Sign-in options.
  • In the Password section, select Add. Enter a new password twice and a password hint. Select Next > Finish.

This article explains how to create a password in Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8. It also contains instructions for creating a password in Windows 7, Vista, and XP.


The specific steps you need to follow to create a Windows logon password differ somewhat depending on the operating system you're using. See What Version of Windows Do I Have? if you're not sure which of those several versions of Windows is installed on your computer.

How to Create a Windows 11, 10, or 8 Password

Does Windows ask you for a password when your computer starts? It should. If not, you're leaving it wide open to anyone at your home or workplace to access your email account, saved files, and other data.

You can create a password from Control Panel. Once you do, use it to log on to Windows from that point forward, unless you remove your Windows password some day.

  1. Open Control Panel. The easiest way to do that is by executing control from the Start menu or Run dialog box. Another way in Windows 8 is through the Power User Menu by pressing Win+X.

    Control Panel in Start Menu
  2. Select User Accounts (Windows 11/10) or User Accounts and Family Safety (Windows 8).

    User Accounts in Control Panel

    If you're viewing the applets by their icons instead of in category view on Windows 11 or 10, proceed to Step 4 after choosing User Accounts. If you're on Windows 8 in this view, you won't even see this option; open User Accounts instead and then skip down to Step 4.

  3. Open User Accounts.

    User Accounts in User Accounts applet
  4. Choose Make changes to my account in PC settings.

    Make changes to my account in PC settings
  5. Select Sign-in options. If you're using Windows 11, you'll see this only after selecting Accounts on the left

    Sign-in options in Settings
  6. Under the Password area, choose Add.

    Add button in Sign-in options
  7. Enter the new password in the first two text fields. You have to do it twice to make sure you type the password correctly.

  8. In the Password hint field, enter something that will help you remember the password should you forget it, and then select Next.

    Password hint field and Next button in Create a password
  9. Hit Finish to complete the new password setup.

    Finish button in Create a password
  10. You can now exit out of any windows you opened to make the password, like Settings or PC settings.

It's always a good idea to create a password reset disk after creating a new password. If your password is really complex and you don't want to make a reset disk, consider storing it in a password manager.

How to Create a Windows 7 or Windows Vista Password

  1. Open Control Panel from the Start menu.

  2. Select User Accounts and Family Safety (Windows 7) or User Accounts (Windows Vista).

    If you don't see this link while creating or resetting your password in Windows 7, it's because you're using Control Panel in a view that just shows icons or links to the applets, and this one isn't included. Open User Accounts instead, and then go on to Step 4.

  3. Choose User Accounts.

    Windows 7 User Accounts and Family Safety screen in Control Panel
  4. In the Make changes to your user account area, select Create a password for your account.

    Windows 7 User Accounts screen in Control Panel
  5. Type the password you want to use in the first two text boxes.

    Create a password for your account screen in Windows 7
  6. Enter something useful in the Type a password hint text box. This step is optional but we highly recommend that you use it. If you try logging in to Windows but enter the wrong password, this hint will pop up, hopefully jogging your memory.

  7. Choose Create password to confirm your new password.

  8. You can now close out of any open windows you used to reach the page for changing the password.

How to Create a Windows XP Password

  1. Navigate to Start > Control Panel.

  2. Choose User Accounts.

    If you're in the Category View of Control Panel, you'll need to select it again on the next screen.

    Windows XP Control Panel
  3. Select your username in the or pick an account to change area.

    Windows XP User Accounts area of Control Panel
  4. Choose the Create a password link.

  5. In the first two text boxes, enter the password you would like to start using.

    Create a password screen in Windows XP
  6. Choose Create Password to confirm your new password.

  7. The next screen might ask Do you want to make your files and folders private?. If other user accounts will be set up on this PC and you'd like to keep your personal files private, select Yes, Make Private.

    If you're not concerned about this kind of security or this account is the only account on your PC, you can choose No.

  8. You can now close the User Accounts window and the Control Panel window.

FAQ
  • How do I see the Wi-Fi password in Windows 10?

    To find the Wi-Fi password in Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Go to Connections, choose your Wi-Fi network, select Wireless Properties, and choose the Securities tab. Check the Show Characters box to view your password.

  • How do I reset my Windows password?

    To reset your Windows password, you'll actually reset your Microsoft account password. Go to Microsoft's Recover Your Account page, enter your email, and follow the prompts to validate your identity. Enter your new password and follow the confirmation prompts.

  • How do I disable a password on Windows 10?

    To remove your Windows password, go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options. Open the Password menu, select Change, enter the current password, and select Next. In the box that appears, leave everything blank and click Next again. Select Finish to remove your password.

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