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Changing a Password from a Remote Windows Computer

Article ID: 149176 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q149176

SUMMARY

You can change a Windows User Account password that is on any Windows computer from any other Windows computer regardless of whether the User Account is on a workstation, a stand-alone server, or a Windows domain controller. Additionally, it makes no difference whether the password being changed from a workstation, a stand-alone server, or a Windows domain controller.

You do not have to be logged on from the User Account Database that contains the Username, and you do not have to be currently logged on with that Username. This procedure is especially useful if you want to change your password in a User Account Database or security accounts manager (SAM) that is not in your default logon domain.

MORE INFORMATION

To change your password:

Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to bring up the Windows Security dialog box.
Press the Change Password button.
Enter the User name whose password you wish to change.
In the From dialog box, click either the computer name or domain name in the drop-down list box, or type the computer name or domain name that contains the User Account Database where the user name exists.
Type the appropriate password in the Old Password, New Password, and Confirm New Password box.
You should receive a message indicating "Your password has been changed."

This procedure is allowed even if the User Right "Access this computer from network" is disabled for the group Everyone. Changing a password does not use resources on the server. The ability to change a password without requiring the user to be logged on allows a user to change his or her password outside of the user's logon hours, or when the password has expired and the user is not able to log on.

The user receive the following error messages:

System error 2242 has occurred.
The password of this user has expired.

From NET HELPMSG 2242:
Your password has expired. You will not be able to perform any network tasks until you change your password.

ACTION To change your password, press Ctrl+Alt+Del and then select Change Password.