Change your Windows server password safely

Change the password your server shipped with soon after your first login, and again if you ever shared it. Here are two safe ways to do it on a Windows VPS or Admin RDP, plus what to update afterwards.

Before you change it

• Choose a long password: at least 14 characters, mixing words, numbers and symbols. A password manager can make and store one for you.
• Do not reuse a password from another site or service.
• Keep your current RDP session open until you have tested the new password in a second session.

Option 1: the Windows security screen

1. Connect to the server with Remote Desktop.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + End. Inside a remote session this does the same job as Ctrl + Alt + Delete. If the shortcut does not work from your device (for example a Mac or a phone), use option 2 below.
3. Choose Change a password.
4. Enter the old password, then the new one twice, and press Enter.

Option 2: PowerShell or Command Prompt

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the command below. Replace Administrator with your username if it is different. The * makes Windows ask for the new password without showing it on screen or saving it in history.

net user Administrator *

Type the new password twice when asked.

Test it, then update your devices

1. Leave your current session open and start a new Remote Desktop connection with the new password.
2. When it works, update the saved credentials in your RDP apps on every device (Windows, Mac and phone).
3. Sign out of the old session.

If you get locked out

If the new password does not work and you have closed every session, do not reinstall the server, because a reinstall erases all data. Open a support ticket from the client area and tell us which service it is. Never send your password in a ticket or chat.