How to resolve password expiry messages if they come up (are enabled) in Windows
If you are using a Virtual Private Server (VPS) running Windows Server 2022 and encounter a password expiry prompt, here's a step-by-step guide to changing the password:
Log in as Administrator: Ensure you are logged in as a user with administrative privileges to make changes to user accounts.
Password Expiry Notification: When a user's password is about to expire or has already expired, they will receive a notification when they log in to the system. This notification will inform them that their password is expired or about to expire and prompt them to change it.
Changing Password via CTRL+ALT+END:
If the password has already expired, the user will be forced to change their password immediately. They will see a message prompting them to press CTRL+ALT+END to change their password.
The user should press CTRL+ALT+END and then click on "Change a password." They will need to enter their old password and then enter a new password (according to any complexity requirements set by your organization).
After entering the new password and confirming it, the user's password will be changed, and the password expiry message will no longer appear.
Changing Password via PowerShell (Administrator):
As an administrator, you can change a user's password using PowerShell. Open a PowerShell window with administrative privileges.
Use the following PowerShell command to change the password for a specific user (replace "username" with the actual username):
After executing the command, the user's password will be changed, and they can log in using the new password.
Disable Password Expiry (Not Recommended):
As a temporary measure, you can disable password expiry for a user account. However, this is not recommended for security reasons. Password expiry policies are essential for maintaining strong security practices.
If you choose to disable password expiry for a user, you can do so through the Active Directory Users and Computers management console. Locate the user, right-click, and go to "Properties." In the "Account" tab, uncheck "Password never expires." Keep in mind that this is a temporary solution, and it's best to have regular password changes for security purposes.
Always ensure that users choose strong and unique passwords (12+ characters in length, non-dictionary, varying capitalization, mix of numbers, letters, symbols). Regular password changes are a recommended part of maintaining a secure Windows Server environment.
Log in as Administrator: Ensure you are logged in as a user with administrative privileges to make changes to user accounts.
Password Expiry Notification: When a user's password is about to expire or has already expired, they will receive a notification when they log in to the system. This notification will inform them that their password is expired or about to expire and prompt them to change it.
Changing Password via CTRL+ALT+END:
If the password has already expired, the user will be forced to change their password immediately. They will see a message prompting them to press CTRL+ALT+END to change their password.
The user should press CTRL+ALT+END and then click on "Change a password." They will need to enter their old password and then enter a new password (according to any complexity requirements set by your organization).
After entering the new password and confirming it, the user's password will be changed, and the password expiry message will no longer appear.
Changing Password via PowerShell (Administrator):
As an administrator, you can change a user's password using PowerShell. Open a PowerShell window with administrative privileges.
Use the following PowerShell command to change the password for a specific user (replace "username" with the actual username):
Set-ADAccountPassword -Identity "username" -NewPassword (ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText "NewPassword123!" -Force) -ResetAfter executing the command, the user's password will be changed, and they can log in using the new password.
Disable Password Expiry (Not Recommended):
As a temporary measure, you can disable password expiry for a user account. However, this is not recommended for security reasons. Password expiry policies are essential for maintaining strong security practices.
If you choose to disable password expiry for a user, you can do so through the Active Directory Users and Computers management console. Locate the user, right-click, and go to "Properties." In the "Account" tab, uncheck "Password never expires." Keep in mind that this is a temporary solution, and it's best to have regular password changes for security purposes.
Always ensure that users choose strong and unique passwords (12+ characters in length, non-dictionary, varying capitalization, mix of numbers, letters, symbols). Regular password changes are a recommended part of maintaining a secure Windows Server environment.
Updated on: 27/07/2023
Thank you!