There are two basic situations where you would like to change your Hotmail password. One is when you have forgotten the Hotmail password and need to recover it; second is when you just need a change of the Hotmail password. The latter can be because of your Hotmail password has leaked to someone or you want to adhere to good practices of changing your password periodically. It’s a good practice to change your Hotmail password at least once in a month.
Changing a Hotmail Password
The following steps show in detail how to change your Hotmail password when you already know your current password. It is important to note that changing your Hotmail password will change your password for all of Windows Live personalized services, such as Windows Live Messenger or MySpace.
In order to change your Hotmail password:
Sign in to your Windows Live Hotmail Account from Hotmail.
Click on your name at the right-top of the home page of your Windows Live Page. You’ll see a list popup. Select View Your Account.
You may be asked to sign in again. Enter your current password and click Sign in.
In your Account Summary, just below the Password reset information heading, click on Change next to the starred password.
A screen will appear where you will be asked to provide your old password. You will then be required to type in a new password and then retype it again for confirmation. Note: Make sure you enter a strong password. Passwords are case sensitive (so EXAMPLE, Example, and example are not the same).
Click the Save button to save your new password. You will then be taken to the login page where you can now login with your new password.
Recover a Forgotten Hotmail Password
Someday, you may need to change/recover your Hotmail password because you have forgotten it. In order to recover your Hotmail password, follow the below steps:
Go to Hotmail. Click on the Forgot your password? link just below the password text field on the sign-in from.
You will be taken to a page where you need to enter an alternate email address and key-in the characters in the picture. The latter is to prove that you are a human being and not a computer program. Click on Continue.
The password changing procedure’s details will be sent to your alternate email address. Open the alternate mail box and click on the link under Confirm Request And Reset Password.
Clicking the link will take you to a page which asks to enter the Hotmail ID, new password and retype the new password for confirmation. Click on Continue. You will be redirected to the login page for signing in.
Make sure you choose your password carefully and keep it safe. If possible, do not write it down because it is easier for people to get access to it. Let it be your secret. To help protect your personal information, change your password regularly.
