How to Change Password in Windows Server 2016 (4 Methods)

This guide demos 4 ways to change password in Windows Server 2016.

By Victor Ashiedu | Updated July 12, 2022 | 6 minutes read

Options to Change Password in Windows Server 2016

This guide details how to change Password in Windows Server 2016 using these methods:

1. Change Password with “Ctrl + Alt + Delete”
2. Use “Edit Local Users and Groups” to Change Password
3. Change Password with Active Directory Users and Computers
4. Use PowerShell to Change Password for an Active Directory Account

Change Password with “Ctrl + Alt + Delete”

This is the easiest way to change password in Windows Server 2016. This method is applicable to change password for both local and domain accounts.

Here are the steps:

• While logged on to the server press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

• Then click Change password.

• You will be required to provide the current password for the logged in user. Then type and retype a new password. When you finish press enter. You could also click the forward arrow (->) beside Confirm password.

Use “Edit Local Users and Groups” to Change Password

This method can only be used to change password for member servers (a server that is not a Domain Controller).

Here are the steps:

• Log on to the member server. Then type users in the search bar. Finally, click Edit local users and groups.

• When Edit local users and groups opens, click the Users node. Then right-click the user you wish to change the password and select Set Password.

• When you receive a warning message, read the details and click Proceed.

• Type your new password then confirm the password. When you have entered the new password into the two boxes click OK.

Change Password in Windows Server 2016 with Active Directory Users and Computers

This method should be used to change passwords for domain users.

Here are the steps to use this method:

• Login to a Domain Controller and open Server Manager.
• From Server Manager click Tools. Then select Active Directory Users and Computers.

• When AD Users and Computers opens, navigate to the AD container where the user is. Then right-click the user and click Reset Password…

• Type the password in the New password field. Then retype it in the Confirm password field. If you do not want to force the user to change the password when they login uncheck the box beside User must change password at next logon. You could also check Unlock the user’s account box if you wish to unlock a locked account. When you finish click OK.

Use PowerShell to Change Password in Windows Server 2016 for an Active Directory Users

You can also use PowerShell to change password for an Active Directory user.

Below is a sample command:

Set-ADAccountPassword -Identity <UserName> -OldPassword (ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText "[email protected]" -Force) -NewPassword (ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText "[email protected]" -Force)

To use the command, change <UserName> to the AD username for you the user you wish to change the password.

Also, replace “[email protected]” and “[email protected]” with the old and new password respectively.

Conclusion

You can use the 4 methods discussed in this guide to change password for users in Server 2016.

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