How to Change or Reset Password of Your Microsoft Account in Windows 8

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to change or reset the password of your Microsoft account in Windows 8.

Microsoft accounts must have a password. These passwords are case sensitive and must contain at least 8 characters, but up to 16 characters.

OPTION ONE

To Change your Microsoft Account Password in Windows 8

1. Open PC settings, click/tap on Users on the left side, then click/tap on the Change your password button under Sign-in options on the right side. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This PC or device must already be added as a trusted device before you will be able to change your Microsoft account password from it.

2. Type in your current (old) password, type in your new password twice, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

3. Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

4. If you like, you can now close PC settings. (see screenshot below step 1)

5. When you next sign in to this Microsoft account, you will need to use the new password.

OPTION TWO

To Change or Reset your Microsoft Account Password Online

1. Do either step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Go Directly to Your Microsoft Account Settings Online from any Computer
NOTE: This option is good to use if you area unable to sign in to your Microsoft account.

A) Click/tap on the link below to sign in to your Microsoft "Account summary" page, and go to step 4 below.

https://account.live.com/summarypage.aspx

3. Use "PC Settings" while Signed in to Your Microsoft Account in Windows 8

A) Open PC settings, click/tap on Users on the left side, then click/tap on the More account settings online link at the top of the right side, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)

4. Do either step 5 or 6 below depending on if you are able to sign in to your online Microsoft "Account summary" page or not.

5. If CANNOT Sign in to your Online Microsoft "Account summary" Page
NOTE: This step will only allow you to reset your Microsoft account password since you are not able to sign in to it.

A) On the "Sign in" page, click/tap on the Can't access your account? link. (see screenshot below)

B) Type in your Microsoft account email address, type in the captcha characters, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

C) Select an option for resetting your password. (see screenshots below)

   Note

OPTIONS:

Email me a reset link = Microsoft will email you a reset link to your alternate email address.

Send a code to my phone = To get the code with a text message or automated call.

I can't use any of these options = Allows you to enter an email address to have Microsoft send an email to with a reset link.

D) If you selected to email me a reset link, then click/tap on Next, check your email, click/tap on the link in the email to reset your password, and go to step 5F below. (see screenshot above and below)

E) If you selected to Send a code to my phone, select to get the code with a text message or automated call, click/tap on Send code, enter the code , click/tap on Submit, and go to step 5F below.

F) Enter a new password, type it again to confirm, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Microsoft account passwords are case sensitive and must contain at least 8 characters, but up to 16 characters. If you've been using a password that has more than 16 characters, enter the first 16.

G) When finished, go to step 7 below.

6. If CAN Sign in to your Online Microsoft "Account summary" Page
NOTE: This step will allow you to change your Microsoft account password since you are able to sign in to it.

A) If this PC or device is not a trusted device, then you will be prompted to enter and submit a security code sent to your phone or alternate email address. (see screenshots below)

B) On the "Account summary" page, click/tap on the Change password link. (see screenshot below)

C) Type in your current Microsoft account password, type in a new password twice, and click/tap on Save. If you forgot your password, then click/tap on the Forgot you password? link, and go to step 5B above. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Microsoft account passwords are case sensitive and must contain at least 8 characters, but up to 16 characters. If you've been using a password that has more than 16 characters, enter the first 16.

D) When finished, go to step 7 below.

7. When finished, you can close your online Microsoft account page if you like.

8. When you next sign in to this Microsoft account, you will need to use the new password.

That's it,
Shawn

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