Changing Your Password on Mac OS X

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  • Note: This will also change the password for your e-mail account!!*


1) Go to the System Preferences. You can get to it from the Apple menu or the icon in the Dock.


Fig. 1: System Preferences icon in Dock.


2) Click on the "Users & Groups" pane.

Fig. 2: User & Group Preference Pane Icon.


3) Your account will be highlighted. Click on the "Change Password" button.


Fig. 3: User Account Preference Window.

4) Change your password. Old password first. new one next.


Fig. 4: Change password


This will change your login password and update your Keychain password (stores passwords).


Keychain Password Change

If you changed your password anywhere other than the User Preferences panel or Login Window, you will need to change your login keychain because it still contains your old password.

Fig. 5: Keychain Access

Locate the Keychain Access application in the Utilities folder.


Fig. 6:Select the "Login" keychain.

Select the Login keychain.

Fig. 7: Select "Change Password for Keychain "Login" from the Edit menu

Select "Change Password for Keychain "Login" from the Edit menu.


Fig.8: Enter the previous password then the new one that you created.

Enter your previous password and then the new one you had created.


Deleting Login Keychain

If you have forgotten the previous password you had you will have to delete the login keychain:


Fig. 9: Select "Delete Keychain "login"

From the file menu select "Delete Keychain "Login"".

Fig. 10: Select "Delete References and Files".

Select "Delete References and File"

If you had a stored Outlook (or other e-mail client) password, or any password associated with an application you will be required to enter the new password.