User Must and Cannot Change Password

• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Under User Properties in User Manager for Domains, it is possible to set User Must Change Password at Next Logon and User Cannot Change Password checked at the same time. Thus, the user will be prompted to change his password but then will get the error message:

   Unable to change the password on this account.
   Please consult your system administrator.

CAUSE

In User Manager for Domains under Policies/Account if the Maximum Password Age expires and User Cannot Change Password is checked, you will see these boxes checked at the same time, User Must change Password at Next Logon and User Cannot Change Password. Since these options exclude each other it should not be possible for both of them to be selected.

WORKAROUND

Have the administrator go into User Manager for Domains; Policies - Account and set the Maximum Password Age to Password Never Expires, then the user should be able to change the password. Or have the administrator change the password.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT Workstation and Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.