Change your password directly on the remote computer

The simplest way to change a Remote Desktop password is to do it on the remote computer itself, the same way you would change it locally. When you are connected via Remote Desktop, press Ctrl+Alt+End on your keyboard. This opens the Windows Security screen on the remote machine. Click Change a password, then enter your old password and your new one twice. The change takes effect when ready.

This method works on any version of Windows that supports Remote Desktop — Windows 7 and later on the client side, Windows Server 2008 and later on the server side. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+End is the Remote Desktop equivalent of Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a local machine, because your local Ctrl+Alt+Delete would interrupt your own computer, not the remote one.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+Alt+End while connected via Remote Desktop to open the Windows Security screen on the remote computer, then click Change a password.
  • Your new password takes effect when ready and applies only to the account you are currently logged into on the remote machine.
  • If you cannot remember your old password, you will need a domain administrator or the computer owner to reset it for you through Active Directory or Local Users and Groups.
  • Some organizations require passwords to meet complexity rules — at least 8 characters, uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — so your new password may be rejected if it is too straightforward.
  • After you change your password, you will need to use the new one the next time you connect to that remote computer.

What happens if you forget your old password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it yourself through Remote Desktop. You will need someone with administrative rights on that computer to reset it for you. On a work network, contact your IT department or domain administrator. On a home computer or small office network, you will need the computer owner or another administrator account holder to reset it.

The administrator can reset your password through Local Users and Groups on a standalone computer or through Active Directory Users and Computers on a domain network. They will set a temporary password, which you can then change to something you choose the next time you log in. This is different from changing your password — it is a reset, and it requires administrative access.

Password requirements your organization may enforce

Many workplaces and some home networks enforce password policies that your new password must meet. Common requirements include a minimum length of 8 characters, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, at least one number, and at least one special character like ! or @. If your new password does not meet these rules, the system will reject it and ask you to try again.

You can check what your organization requires by asking your IT department or by looking at the password policy on your domain. On a standalone computer, there may be no requirements at all — you can use any password you want. If you are unsure whether your password meets the rules, try a longer one with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. That combination almost always works.

Changing a password on a domain network versus a standalone computer

If your remote computer is part of a domain network at work, changing your password through Remote Desktop changes your domain password. This means the new password will work on any computer on that network, not just the one you are currently connected to. You will use it the next time you log into any domain computer.

If the remote computer is standalone — a home computer or a small office machine not connected to a domain — changing the password changes only that local account on that machine. The new password works only on that computer. If you have the same username and password on multiple standalone computers, you will need to change the password on each one separately.

What to do if the password change fails

If you see an error message when you try to change your password, the most common causes are that your new password does not meet the complexity requirements, or that the password history policy is preventing you from reusing a recent password. Try a different password that is longer and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

If you still get an error, write down the exact message and contact your IT department or the computer owner. Some organizations have additional security policies — like requiring passwords to be changed only on certain days, or preventing changes within a certain time after the last change — that can block the operation. Your administrator can tell you what the restriction is and when you can try again.

Updating your saved Remote Desktop connection after you change your password

After you change your password, the next time you try to connect to that remote computer, Remote Desktop will ask for your credentials again. If you have saved your username and password in a Remote Desktop shortcut or connection file, you will need to update it with your new password. Otherwise, the connection will fail with an authentication error.

To update a saved connection on Windows, open Remote Desktop Connection, type the computer name or IP address, click Show Options, go to the General tab, and clear the username and password fields. Check the box for Allow me to save credentials, then enter your new password. Click Save to update the connection file. The next time you use that shortcut, it will use your new credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password if I am not an administrator on the remote computer?

Yes. You do not need administrator rights to change your own password. Any user account can change its own password through the Windows Security screen. You only need administrator rights if you want to change someone else's password or reset a password you have forgotten.

Will changing my Remote Desktop password affect my local computer password?

No. Changing your password on a remote computer changes only that remote account. Your local computer password stays the same. If you are on a domain network, changing your domain password through Remote Desktop changes your domain password everywhere, but your local computer login remains separate.

What if I change my password but Remote Desktop still says it is wrong?

Wait a few minutes and try again. Password changes sometimes take a moment to sync across a network, especially on large domain networks. If it still fails after 10 minutes, make sure you are typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive. If you are still stuck, contact your IT department to confirm the change went through.

Can I change my password if the remote computer is offline?

No. You must be connected to the remote computer to change the password on it. If the computer is offline or unreachable, you cannot make the change remotely. You would need to either wait for the computer to come back online or have an administrator reset your password through the domain or local user management tools.