How to Change Password on Remote Desktop: Methods, Issues & Best Practices

The steps to change your password while in a remote desktop session are similar to those on your own PC. However, the differences are significant enough that if you don’t know which keys to press, you could draw a complete blank. No need to stay stuck! Here are a few ways to do so, including the run-down of how to change your password with TSplus Remote Access.

In this article, we explain why changing your RDP password is important, outline the different methods you can use, and share best practices to keep your remote sessions safe.

Why Changing Your RDP Password Matters?

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is widely used by businesses and IT professionals to access servers and workstations remotely. As with any login-based system, keeping your password updated is essential for protecting sensitive data avoiding major data breaches or downtime and ensuring compliance with security standards. Passwords are the first line of defence against cyber threats.

• Security and Compliance
• Preventing Unauthorized Access
• Maintaining Productivity

Security and Compliance

Updating your password regularly is part of security hygiene. Many organizations, especially those in finance, healthcare, and IT services, must follow strict compliance frameworks such as GDPR or ISO 27001 , which require password rotation policies.

Preventing Unauthorized Access

Remote Desktop sessions are frequent targets for attackers who attempt to guess or steal credentials. Regularly updating passwords makes it harder for unauthorized users to gain access and helps reduce the chances of a successful intrusion.

Maintaining Productivity

Stolen or expired credentials can lock users out of business-critical applications. Updating passwords ensures continuous productivity without costly disruptions.

What are the methods to change the password on Remote Desktop?

There are several ways to update your password depending on your setup. Below are the most common approaches.

• Using the On-Screen Keyboard
• Through Windows Settings
• Command Line Tool
• Active Directory Environment

Using the On-Screen Keyboard (Ctrl+Alt+End)

This is the most direct method inside an RDP session:

1. Launch your Remote Desktop connection.
2. Press Ctrl+Alt+End (the remote equivalent of Ctrl+Alt+Del).
3. Select Change a password.
4. Enter your old password, then the new one.
5. Confirm and save.

This method is widely used because it does not require administrator access.

Through Windows Settings

If you have access to the system’s Settings menu inside the session:

1. Go to Start > Settings > Accounts .
2. Click Sign-in options.
3. Select Password > Change .
4. Enter current and new credentials.

This works best for Windows 10/11 environments and domain-connected PCs.

Command Line Method

For advanced users or administrators, an SQL command prompt can be used:

1. Press Win + R, type cmd TSplus is a cost-effective solution for Remote Desktop Services
2. Type:

   net user yourusername newpassword

3. Press Enter to apply changes.

This method is quick but requires administrative privileges.

Active Directory Environment

In domain environments, administrators often enforce password resets via Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC). Policies can force users to change their password at next login or prevent weak password reuse.

This centralized method is commonly used in enterprise IT infrastructures.

What important specifics are worth knowing about?

Here are reminders about a few specific situations and the reasons they can affect simple key combinations.

• Remote Versus Local Desktop
• Region-Specific Keyboards
• Change a Password in Remote Desktop on a Laptop
• Changing Passwords in Remote Desktop on a Hybrid or Mini Laptop

Remote Versus Local Desktop

First things first: whatever device you use, step one is to call up the security options window from which you will be able to choose to change your password.

The likelihood is that you know Ctrl+Alt+Del, which is the usual set of keys is a local command. But this key combination, the one you’d use in a standard “local” session, will not affect anything remote. To open the password-change window for your remote session, you need a combination just a touch different. Indeed, in the RDP environment, you’ll need to hold the End key instead of the Del key. That gives Ctrl+Alt+End to open the required window.

Region-Specific Keyboards

I will only speak of my own region-specific keyboard: continental European. With these keyboards at least, the second Alt key is not the same as the left Alt key. The AltGr key to the right acts differently to its counterpart for various things. Use it in combination with the End key for the same action as Ctrl+Alt+Del to open your security options window.

Change a Password in Remote Desktop on a Laptop

To find the End key on a PC, no issue, look at your keyboard and it’s been in the same corner for generations of keyboards. Try on your laptop and you could get a surprise. Chances are it is hiding, probably under the 1 of your number pad. So, you will need to unlock the pad to use it. And in effect you’ll be pressing down keys Ctrl+Alt+1. Within the window that opens, you can now choose to change your password.

Changing Passwords in Remote Desktop on a Hybrid or Mini Laptop

Then, you may have smaller yet. A hybrid tablet-PC, with its removable keyboard, or a netbook or other miniature laptop, which don’t usually have number pads due to their small size. Then you will probably find the on-screen keyboard could save the day. In fact, a virtual keyboard can be just as useful as on a tablet. You need to call that up by searching “osk” in the remote desktop search box. You can then press and hold Ctrl+Alt on the physical keyboard if you have one and click or tap the on-screen Del key. The security options window will open as above.

How to Troubleshoot Issues When Changing RDP Password?

Even with the right method, issues can arise.

• Password Policy Restrictions
• Synchronization Errors
• Forgotten Old Password
• Password Expired

Password Policy Restrictions

Many organizations enforce strict password policies to maintain security. These often include requirements such as a minimum number of characters, the use of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.

If your new password does not meet these complex rules, the system will reject it. In some cases, policies also prevent you from reusing recently used passwords.

Before attempting to update your credentials, it is best to check with your IT department or review the organisation’s security policy to avoid repeated failures.

Synchronization Errors

When using Remote Desktop in a domain environment, passwords are managed centrally through Active Directory. After a password change, it can take a few minutes for the update to synchronise across all servers in the network.

During this window, you might experience login errors because the new password has not yet propagated to every domain controller.

This is a temporary issue, but it can cause frustration if you try logging in too quickly after a reset. Waiting a short period before reconnecting usually resolves the problem.

Forgotten Old Password

Changing a password through Remote Desktop requires you to know your current one. If you cannot recall it, the process cannot be completed from the client’s side. In such cases, the only option is to contact your system administrator, who can reset your password directly on the host machine or through Active Directory tools.

To prevent frequent lockouts, consider using a secure password manager to keep track of credentials without compromising security.

Password Has Expired

Depending on how passwords are set, it could be that your remote desktop password can expire or not. Indeed, administrators can choose to set passwords to “never expire” when they are aware that users are unlikely to connect other than remotely. This is because, to change their password, users need to connect on the physical device. Or someone who has access locally would need to do so for them. Therefore, to avoid users finding themselves locked out, it is important to choose between opting for administrators taking charge of the actions or activating “never expire” settings as default.

So, if you do not have direct access to the remote device, the best thing to do is contact your network administrator or their team. They will take care of resetting it on your behalf.

How About Other Operating Systems and Methods?

To connect from Mac OS, your key-set will be Fn+Ctrl+Option+Backspace (you may have noticed “Option” is the Mac Alt key). Once those keys are pressed, the path should be the same as on a Windows device.

Additionally, you could also access the shell and make the change there, using command prompts. There, it is even possible to put things in place for numerous changes. Using PowerShell is another method. It is also called VBS-script. There is also a possibility with Active Directory. Don’t hesitate to contact our support team for further detail on any of these.

What Are the Best Practices for Managing RDP Credentials?

Changing your password is important, but securing RDP Sessions require broader best practices. Weak credentials remain one of the most exploited vulnerabilities in remote access, and following a few simple rules can significantly reduce risks.

• Use Strong Passwords
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
• Centralize Management

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are the foundation of secure remote access. They should be at least twelve characters long and include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Simple or predictable choices such as names, birthdays, or dictionary words make accounts easy targets for brute-force attacks.

To strike the right balance between complexity and usability, many professionals recommend using passphrases that combine unrelated words with added numbers and characters. This method helps ensure both security and memorability.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even the strongest password can be compromised, which is why enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective measures available.

MFA requires a second form of verification, such as a one-time code sent to a phone, an authentication app, or a hardware token. According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), MFA can prevent the majority of credential-based intrusions.

By requiring more than just a password, it makes unauthorized access significantly harder, even if credentials are leaked.

Centralize Management

In businesses where multiple employees connect via Remote Desktop, managing individual credentials manually quickly becomes inefficient and insecure. Instead, organizations should implement Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions or dedicated platforms like TSplus Remote Access .

These tools allow administrators to control user rights from a central interface, enforce password policies consistently, and monitor activity in real time.

Centralized management not only improves security but also saves IT teams valuable time by streamlining account maintenance and reducing the risk of overlooked vulnerabilities.

Is There a Secure Alternative to Standard RDP Password Management?

Manually changing RDP passwords may be sufficient for individual users, but businesses that manage multiple employees and systems require a more comprehensive approach. This is where TSplus Remote Access provides a secure and efficient alternative.

• How TSplus Remote Access Works
• Changing Passwords with TSplus Remote Access
• 2FA and Benefits

How TSplus Remote Access Works

By using a centralized gateway, it allows administrators to manage access without directly exposing RDP ports , reducing the risk of attacks. Its architecture supports multi-user environments, making it suitable for teams of any size while maintaining strong security policies.

At the same time, the solution simplifies administration by reducing the need for frequent manual password resets, giving IT departments more time to focus on other critical tasks.

Changing Passwords with TSplus Remote Access

When using our Remote Access software The path to follow to change passwords is generally the same, with the Ctrl+Alt+End option being one of the first to consider. You need to bear in mind that an already expired password cannot be changed over HTML5. Instead, the user needs to use the RDP client to connect.

Once more, it is worth noting that in the event of users only ever using HTML5 to connect a good action to take is to set their Windows account password to “never expires” with the parameter “user cannot change password”. You can do this under AdminTool > System Tools > Users and Groups .

Finally, TSplus Remote Access does not natively allow users to change their password over the HTML5. As a work-around, our team have developed and published a tool to make it possible. It is available. here , in our FAQ.

2FA and Benefits

For small and mid-sized businesses, our solution delivers enterprise-grade protection and streamlined management at an affordable cost, making it a practical choice for organizations seeking both security and efficiency.

Conclusion

Changing your Remote Desktop password is an essential security practice. Whether you use Ctrl+Alt+End, Windows Settings, Command Prompt, or rely on Active Directory, there are multiple methods to update your credentials. However, for businesses managing many users, solutions like TSplus Remote Access provide stronger protection, simplified management, and compliance with modern cybersecurity standards.