Change your password directly on the computer you're connecting to

The simplest way to change your Remote Desktop password is to sit at the actual computer — not through the remote connection — and change it the same way you'd change any Windows password. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Change a password, type your old password, then type your new password twice. This works when ready and doesn't interrupt any remote sessions already running.

If you must change the password while you're already connected remotely, you can still use Ctrl + Alt + Delete, but the keystroke goes to the remote computer, not your local one. This is actually what you want — it changes the password on the machine you're logged into, which is the account Remote Desktop uses to authenticate you next time.

After you change the password this way, the next time you open Remote Desktop Connection and try to log in, you'll need to enter the new password. The old one will no longer work.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing your password on the remote computer itself (using Ctrl + Alt + Delete) is the most direct method and takes effect when ready.
  • When you're already connected remotely and press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, the command goes to the remote computer, not your local machine.
  • After changing your password, you must use the new one the next time you connect via Remote Desktop.
  • If you forget the new password, you'll need physical access to the computer or contact someone who can reset it locally.
  • Changing the password does not log you out of your current remote session — you stay connected until you manually disconnect.

Update the saved password in Remote Desktop Connection

If you've changed your password and want Remote Desktop Connection to remember the new one, you need to update the saved credentials. Open Remote Desktop Connection, type the computer name or IP address, then click Show Options (or Options depending on your Windows version).

Look for the General tab. You'll see a field for User name and a checkbox for Allow me to save credentials. Enter your username and check that box. When you click Connect, Windows will prompt you for your password. Type the new password, and if you want Remote Desktop to save it, check Remember me in the password prompt. Next time you open this saved connection, it will use the new password automatically.

Be aware that saving passwords in Remote Desktop Connection stores them on your computer. If someone gains access to your machine, they could potentially retrieve these saved passwords. For shared computers or sensitive environments, it's safer to uncheck the save option and enter your password each time.

What happens if you change the password while others are connected

Changing your password does not when ready disconnect anyone who is already logged in remotely. They stay connected and can continue working until they close their session or get disconnected by a timeout. However, the next time they try to reconnect, they'll need the new password.

If multiple people share access to the same account and one person changes the password, everyone else will be locked out on their next connection attempt. This is why organizations with shared accounts usually have a process for notifying all users before a password change, or they use group accounts managed through Active Directory instead of local passwords.

Resetting a forgotten Remote Desktop password

If you've changed your password and now can't remember it, you have limited options. If you're locked out of Remote Desktop but can still access the computer physically, restart it and log in locally using the password recovery options on the login screen. From there, you can change the password again.

If you don't have physical access and can't remember the password, you'll need to contact someone with local administrator access to the computer. They can reset your password through the Local Users and Groups utility (on Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Server editions) or through Settings on Windows Home editions. There is no way to remotely reset a local account password without administrator help.

Using a password manager with Remote Desktop

Password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass can store your Remote Desktop credentials securely and fill them in automatically. These tools encrypt your passwords and are generally safer than letting Windows save them. Most password managers work by storing your username and password, then auto-filling the Remote Desktop Connection login fields when you open the program.

To set this up, open your password manager and create a new entry for your Remote Desktop connection. Store the computer name or IP address, your username, and your new password. When you need to connect, open the password manager, find the entry, and copy the password to paste into Remote Desktop Connection. Some password managers can auto-fill directly into the Remote Desktop window, though this depends on your specific tool and Windows version.

Changing the password for a domain account through Remote Desktop

If you're connecting to a computer that's part of an Active Directory domain (common in workplaces), your password is managed by the domain, not the local computer. You can still change it using Ctrl + Alt + Delete while connected remotely, but the change goes to the domain controller, not the individual computer.

After you change a domain password through Remote Desktop, it may take a few minutes to sync across all domain computers. If you try to connect to a different computer on the domain when ready after changing your password, you might get an error. Wait a few minutes and try again. Your IT department can also change domain passwords for you if you're locked out, and they have tools to reset it without requiring your old password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to disconnect from Remote Desktop before changing my password?

No. You can change your password while you're still connected remotely, and you'll stay connected. The password change takes effect the next time you try to log in, not when ready. Your current session continues uninterrupted.

Will changing my password log me out of Remote Desktop?

Changing your password does not log you out. You remain connected to the remote computer until you manually disconnect or your session times out. Only the next login attempt will require the new password.

What if I change my password and Remote Desktop still won't accept the new one?

Wait a few minutes — sometimes there's a delay before the password change fully takes effect across all systems. Make sure you're typing the new password correctly and that Caps Lock is off. If you're on a domain, the change may need time to replicate to the domain controller.

Can I change my Remote Desktop password from a Mac or Linux computer?

You can connect to a Windows computer via Remote Desktop from a Mac or Linux machine using third-party clients like Microsoft Remote Desktop (Mac) or Remmina (Linux). Once connected, you can change your password the same way — press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Change a password. The process is identical regardless of what device you're connecting from.

Is it safe to save my Remote Desktop password in the connection settings?

Saving passwords in Remote Desktop Connection is convenient but carries some risk. If someone gains physical access to your computer or compromises your user account, they could potentially retrieve the saved password. For personal computers you control, it's usually acceptable. For shared computers or sensitive work environments, it's better to enter your password each time or use a dedicated password manager.