Reset the password for a local user account

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Administrators is the minimum group membership required to complete this procedure. Review the details in "Additional considerations" in this topic.

To reset the password for a local user account

  1. Open Computer Management.

  2. In the console tree, click Users.

    Where?

    • Computer Management\System Tools\Local Users and Groups\Users
  3. Right-click the user account for which you want to reset the password, and then click Set Password.

  4. Read the warning message, and if you want to continue, click Proceed.

  5. In Newpassword and in Confirm password, type a new password, and then click OK.

Additional considerations

  • To perform this procedure, you must provide credentials for the Administrator account on the local computer (if you are prompted), or you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer.

  • Strong passwords improve computer and network security.

  • Resetting a local account password for a user may result in some data loss for that user if the user has encrypted data or alternate Internet passwords.

Additional references

Local Users and Groups best practices

Set Password for <User> Dialog Box - Help