Knowledge Base

How to Change Your Windows Server Password

Using a strong and unique Administrator password is an important part of securing your Windows VDS server. You may particularly want to change the password when your server is first deployed or when an automatically generated password was provided with your VDS service.

In this guide, we explain how to change the Administrator password or the password of another user account on Windows Server.

Why Should You Change Your Windows Server Password?

Because your VDS may be accessible over the internet, remote access services such as RDP can receive automated login attempts.

Changing your server password is particularly recommended when:

• Your VDS has just been activated.
• You received a temporary or automatically generated password.
• You believe someone else may know your password.
• You use the same password for another service.
• Your current password is not strong enough.
• A person who previously had authorized server access no longer requires it.

Changing the password alone does not provide complete server security, but it is an important basic security measure.

Connect to Windows Server via RDP

Before changing the password, connect to your Windows VDS server.

On a Windows computer, press:

Windows + R

Enter:

mstsc

and press Enter.

Enter the IP address of your VDS server and start the RDP connection.

Log in using your current username and password.

The administrator account on Windows Server is commonly:

Administrator

However, your server may use another administrative account.

Method 1: Change Your Password with Ctrl + Alt + End

One of the easiest ways to change your password during an RDP session is to use:

Ctrl + Alt + End

The normal Ctrl + Alt + Delete combination may be captured by your local computer.

Using Ctrl + Alt + End sends the relevant security command to the remote Windows session.

Select:

Change a password

Then enter:

Old password: Your current password
New password: Your new password
Confirm password: Enter your new password again

Confirm the operation to change the password.

Method 2: Change a Password Using Computer Management

If you have administrative privileges, you can manage local user passwords through Computer Management.

Right-click the Start menu and open:

Computer Management

Navigate to:

Local Users and Groups → Users

Right-click the account whose password you want to reset and select:

Set Password

Enter and confirm the new password.

This method can reset a local user's password without knowing the current password. Pay attention to the Windows warning displayed during the process, as encrypted files or certain credentials associated with the user may be affected.

Method 3: Change a Windows Server Password from the Command Line

User passwords can also be managed from the command line.

Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.

To display local user accounts, run:

net user

To securely set a new password for an account, use:

net user USERNAME *

For example:

net user Administrator *

Windows will ask you to enter and confirm the new password.

The password characters will not be displayed while typing. This is normal.

This approach avoids placing the password directly in the command itself.

How Strong Should a Windows Server Password Be?

Server passwords should be selected more carefully than ordinary passwords.

A strong server password should:

• Be long.
• Be unique.
• Not be reused on other accounts.
• Avoid predictable personal or company information.
• Preferably contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Predictable passwords such as a company name followed by the current year should be avoided.

A long, randomly generated password or strong passphrase is generally preferable.

Will Changing the Password Disconnect My RDP Session?

Changing the password of your current account will not normally terminate the active RDP session immediately.

However, after disconnecting, you will need to use the new password the next time you connect.

If your computer has stored your previous RDP credentials, you may need to update them.

Windows Keeps Using My Old Password. What Should I Do?

Your Windows computer may have saved the previous RDP credentials.

You can remove the stored credentials from Remote Desktop Connection or enter the new password when prompted.

If the credentials are stored in Windows Credential Manager, they may also need to be updated.

What If Applications Stop Working After Changing the Password?

Some Windows services, scheduled tasks, backup applications, or other software may be configured to run using a specific user account.

After changing that account's password, these services may continue trying to authenticate with the old password.

After a password change on a production server, check:

• Windows Services
• Task Scheduler
• Backup applications
• Automation tools
• Applications running under the affected account

and update their credentials where necessary.

Should I Rename the Administrator Account?

Renaming the Administrator account may reduce some basic automated login attempts, but it should not be treated as a complete security measure.

More important security controls include:

• A strong and unique password
• An up-to-date Windows Server installation
• Proper firewall configuration
• Restricted RDP access
• Removal or disabling of unnecessary accounts
• Regular monitoring of security logs

Does Changing the RDP Port Improve Password Security?

The default RDP port is:

TCP 3389

Using a different port may reduce unwanted traffic from automated scans. However, changing the port does not replace strong passwords, firewall rules, or access restrictions.

Where practical, restricting RDP access to trusted IP addresses can provide an additional layer of protection.

What Should I Do If I Forget My Windows Server Password?

If you forget your Administrator password and no active RDP session is available, you may no longer be able to log in normally.

Password recovery methods depend on the VDS infrastructure.

Your VDS management panel may provide options such as:

• Password reset
• Console access
• Recovery tools

If no self-service recovery option is available, technical support may be required.

How Often Should I Change My Server Password?

Instead of changing passwords solely according to a fixed schedule, focus on using strong and unique credentials.

However, you should change the password immediately if you believe it may have been compromised, if someone with previous access no longer requires it, or if the password has accidentally been exposed.

Additional Windows Server Security Recommendations

In addition to strong passwords:

• Keep Windows Update current.
• Keep Windows Firewall enabled.
• Restrict RDP access where possible.
• Disable unused user accounts.
• Close unnecessary services and ports.
• Avoid using administrator accounts for unnecessary everyday tasks.
• Monitor failed login attempts.
• Maintain regular backups.

Server security should use multiple layers rather than relying on a single setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Windows VDS password?

Yes. If you have the necessary permissions, you can change the Administrator password or passwords for other Windows user accounts.

How do I change my password through RDP?

While connected through RDP, press Ctrl + Alt + End and select Change a password.

Why doesn't Ctrl + Alt + Delete work in RDP?

Ctrl + Alt + Delete may be captured by your local computer. Ctrl + Alt + End is commonly used to send the relevant security command to the remote Windows session.

Will changing the Windows Server password shut down my server?

No. Changing a user password does not shut down your VDS.

What happens if I forget the Administrator password?

Your VDS management panel may provide password reset or console access options. Available recovery methods depend on the hosting infrastructure.

Conclusion

Using a strong and unique Administrator password is one of the fundamental security measures for a Windows VDS server.

After connecting through RDP, you can easily change your current password using Ctrl + Alt + End. Administrators can also manage user passwords through Computer Management or the command line.

After changing a password, remember to check services, scheduled tasks, and applications that may use the affected account credentials.

When using your İde Bilişim VDS service, keep your server access credentials secure and never share them with unauthorized users.