How to Change User Password at Command Prompt

Last reviewed: March 26, 1997
Article ID: Q149427

The information in this article applies to:

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

Only administrators can change domain passwords at the Windows NT command prompt with the NET USER command.

To change a user's password at the command prompt, log on as an administrator and type:

NET USER <UserName> * /domain.

You will then be prompted to type a password for the user. Enter the NEW password, not the existing password.

After you type the new password, the system will prompt you to retype the password to confirm. The password is now changed.

Alternatively, you can enter NET USER <UserName> <NewPassword>. This will change the password without further prompting. This would also allow you to change passwords in a batch file.

Non administrators will receive the error message “System error 5 has occurred. Access is denied” when attempting to change the password.

Additional query words: password net user command prompt
Keywords : ntdomain NTSrvWkst
Version : 3.5 3.51 4.0
Platform : WinNT

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Last reviewed: March 26, 1997
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