> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Change the Administrator Password on Windows Server

> Change the Administrator password on Windows Server 2019, 2022 or 2025 with Ctrl+Alt+End in Remote Desktop, Set-LocalUser in PowerShell or net user.

To change the Administrator password on Windows Server, press **Ctrl+Alt+End** in your Remote Desktop session, choose **Change a password**, and enter the old and new password. From an admin PowerShell window you can instead run `Set-LocalUser -Name "Administrator" -Password (Read-Host -AsSecureString)`. Both work on Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025, and the new password applies at your next sign-in.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 2 minutes | Windows Server 2019 / 2022 / 2025 (Desktop Experience and Server Core) | The current password, or another administrator account |

## Before you start

* Sign in with [Remote Desktop](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-windows-server-with-remote-desktop.md) or the [VNC console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access.md).
* Pick a long, unique password (16 characters or more) and save it in a password manager before you change it.
* If you have forgotten the current password on a VPS, use [Reset Password in the VPS Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-reset-your-vps-root-password.md) instead. On a dedicated server, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php).

## How to change the password in a Remote Desktop session

Pressing **Ctrl+Alt+Del** on your own computer goes to your own PC, not the server. In a Remote Desktop window, **Ctrl+Alt+End** opens the server's **Windows Security** screen instead ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/termserv/terminal-services-shortcut-keys)).

**1. Open Windows Security**

Click inside the Remote Desktop window and press **Ctrl+Alt+End**.

**2. Choose Change a password**

Select **Change a password**. The account name is filled in for you.

**3. Enter the passwords**

Type the old password, then the new password twice, and press **Enter**.

**4. Confirm**

Windows confirms the change. Select **OK** to return to the Windows Security screen, then **Cancel**.

In the [VNC console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access.md), use **Send Ctrl + Alt + Del** from the console toolbar to reach the same screen.

## How to change the Administrator password with PowerShell

Open PowerShell as administrator: select **Start**, type `PowerShell`, right-click **Windows PowerShell** and choose **Run as administrator**. Then run:

```powershell theme={null}
$Password = Read-Host -AsSecureString
Set-LocalUser -Name "Administrator" -Password $Password
```

`Read-Host -AsSecureString` hides what you type, so the password doesn't appear on screen or in your PowerShell history ([Set-LocalUser on Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.localaccounts/set-localuser)). Replace `Administrator` with another account name, such as `alex`, to change that user's password.

On Server Core, choose option **15** in **SConfig** to get to a PowerShell prompt first.

## How to change it with net user (Command Prompt)

```bat theme={null}
net user Administrator *
```

The `*` makes Windows prompt for the new password and hide it as you type ([net user on Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/net-user)). Avoid typing the password directly after the user name, because it then appears on screen.

## How to check it worked

1. Sign out of the server (don't just close the window).
2. Connect again with Remote Desktop and sign in with the new password.
3. Update the password in any saved RDP connection and in your password manager.

To see when the password was last set:

```powershell theme={null}
Get-LocalUser -Name "Administrator" | Select-Object Name, Enabled, PasswordLastSet
```

`PasswordLastSet` shows today's date and time.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Windows services or scheduled tasks that run as **Administrator** with a stored password keep using the old one and fail to start after the change. Open **services.msc** and **Task Scheduler**, look for anything that runs as Administrator and enter the new password there. Better: run services under their own account.

## What makes a good Administrator password?

* **Long:** 16 or more characters. Length helps more than symbols.
* **Unique:** never reused from another site or server.
* **Not the account name:** Windows' complexity rule rejects passwords that contain the user name ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-10/security/threat-protection/security-policy-settings/password-must-meet-complexity-requirements)).

Remote Desktop on the internet gets constant password-guessing attempts, so a strong password matters more on a server than on a home PC. See [protect RDP from brute-force attacks](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-protect-rdp-from-brute-force-attacks.md).

## Frequently asked questions

### Windows says the password doesn't meet the policy requirements. What now?

Your server enforces a minimum length, complexity or password history. Choose a longer password that mixes upper case, lower case, numbers and symbols and that you haven't used on this server before.

### Can I change the password if I forgot the current one?

Not from inside Windows without another administrator account. With a second admin account, run the `Set-LocalUser` command above while signed in as that user. On a VPS, [Reset Password](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-reset-your-vps-root-password.md) in the VPS Panel sets a new Administrator password and emails it to you.

### Should I rename or disable the Administrator account?

Renaming it (`Rename-LocalUser -Name "Administrator" -NewName "srvadmin"`) makes guessing harder. Create and test a second administrator account first, so you can't lock yourself out. See [add a Remote Desktop user](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-add-a-user-to-remote-desktop-on-windows-server.md).

## Related guides

> [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md)
>
> Every guide in this section.

> [card] [Add a Remote Desktop user](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-add-a-user-to-remote-desktop-on-windows-server.md)
>
> Create a second account for RDP.

> [card] [Protect RDP from brute force](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-protect-rdp-from-brute-force-attacks.md)
>
> Lockout policy and IP limits.

> [card] [Fix a locked-out account](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-fix-the-user-account-has-been-locked-out.md)
>
> When too many wrong passwords block sign-in.

> [card] [Reset the password in the VPS Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-reset-your-vps-root-password.md)
>
> When you no longer know it.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Checked against Microsoft Learn: [Set-LocalUser](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.localaccounts/set-localuser), [net user](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/net-user) and [Remote Desktop shortcut keys](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/termserv/terminal-services-shortcut-keys)** on 4 November 2026. Not tested on a live Windows server for this page; dialog wording can differ slightly between Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** November 2026


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