How to Change Your Email Password

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 comprised 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. When you are ready to change your password, you can log in to your email account and update your password settings. Continue reading this article to learn about the methods for choosing a strong password, and for changing your password through your email account.

EditSteps

Choose a Strong Email Password

1. 1
   Choose a unique password that is not used for any other account. This will prevent hackers from using your email password to access your other accounts, such as your online banking account, in the event your email password is compromised.
2. 2
   Change your email password at least every 3 months. This practice will make it difficult for other users to guess your password, or access your email account if they learn of your password at any given point.
3. 3
   Use at least 8 characters in your email password. The longer your password is, the more difficult it will be for others to determine or guess your password.
4. 4
   Use special characters or symbols in your email password. Characters such as these will add to the overall complexity of your password and decrease its likelihood of being compromised.
5. 5
   Refrain from using personal information in your email password. Information such as the names of your pets and family members, your social security number, house address, date of birth, and similar types of data can often be attained by entities that can use this information to determine your email password.

Change your Google Email (Gmail) Password

1. 1
   Log in to your Gmail account using your email address and password.
2. 2
   Click on the icon that resembles a gear located in the upper-right corner of your Gmail session.
3. 3
   Select "Settings" from the options provided.
4. 4
   Click on the tab labeled "Accounts and Imports."
5. 5
   Select "Change password" next to the field labeled "Change account settings."
6. 6
   Enter your current email password, then type your new password into the fields provided.
7. 7
   Click the "Save" button to save your new Gmail password.

Change your Yahoo Mail Password

1. 1
   Log in to your Yahoo Mail account with your username and password.
2. 2
   Click on your username in the upper-left corner of the web page, then select "Account Info."
3. 3
   Enter your password into the appropriate field when the verification screen appears.
4. 4
   Click on the button labeled "Sign In."
5. 5
   Click on the "Account Info" tab, then select "Change Password."
6. 6
   Enter your current Yahoo Mail password and new Yahoo Mail password into the fields displayed on your screen.
7. 7
   Click on "Save" to finish changing your Yahoo Mail password.

Change your Hotmail (Windows Live) Password

1. 1
   Log into Windows Live to manage your password for Hotmail.
2. 2
   Click on "Change" to the right of the password field below the section labeled "Account Security."
3. 3
   Enter your current Windows Live password, and a new Windows Live password.
4. 4
   Click on "Save" to finish changing your Windows Live (Hotmail) password.

Change your Microsoft Outlook 2007 Password

1. 1
   Open your Microsoft Outlook email account.
2. 2
   Point to "Tools" in your menu bar and select "Account Settings."
3. 3
   Click on the name of your email account, then select "Change."
4. 4
   Enter your new email password next to the "Password" field.
5. 5
   Click on "Test Account Settings" to verify that your new password was successfully changed.
6. 6
   Exit the Account Settings screen by clicking on the "Close," then "Next," and "Finish" buttons.