Ways to Reset Active Directory Passwords

Active Directory (AD) is a vital service that manages user access to networked resources, authenticates login credentials, and enforces policies for users within an organization. Passwords are one of the primary ways to secure access to these resources, but over time, users might forget their passwords, or an admin might need to reset them for other reasons.

In this article, we'll explore different methods that IT administrators can use to reset passwords in Active Directory.

1. Using Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)

Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) is one of the most commonly used tools for managing AD objects. It is installed as part of the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) package.

Steps:

1. Open ADUC: Press Win + R, type dsa.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Locate the User: In the left pane, navigate to the Organizational Unit (OU) where the user is located, or search for the user by name.
3. Right-click on the User: Choose Reset Password from the context menu.
4. Enter the New Password: Type the new password, confirm it, and ensure that it meets the domain's password policy.
5. Optionally, Force Password Change at Next Login: If you want the user to change their password upon the next login, you can check this box.
6. Click OK: The password reset is now complete.

ADUC provides a simple and effective way to reset passwords, especially for individual users.

2. Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful tool for automation and scripting, and it can also be used to reset passwords in Active Directory. This is particularly useful if you need to reset passwords for multiple users or as part of a script.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell: Press Win + X, then choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. Run the Following Command:

   Set-ADAccountPassword -Identity "username" -NewPassword (ConvertTo-SecureString "NewPassword123!" -AsPlainText -Force) -Reset
   

   • Replace "username" with the user's AD username.
   • Replace "NewPassword123!" with the new password.

3. Force User to Change Password on Next Logon (Optional):

   Set-ADUser -Identity "username" -ChangePasswordAtLogon $true
   

PowerShell can automate password resets across large environments and is an essential tool for experienced administrators.

3. Using the Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC)

The Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC) provides a graphical interface for managing AD objects. It's a more modern tool compared to ADUC, and it’s available on Windows Server 2008 R2 and later versions.

Steps:

1. Open ADAC: In Windows Server, press Win + R, type dsac.exe, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the User: Use the left pane to browse or search for the user whose password you want to reset.
3. Right-click the User: Select Reset Password.
4. Enter the New Password: Type the new password and confirm it.
5. Click OK to complete the reset.

ADAC offers enhanced features like a history of changes and more flexibility in managing AD objects.

4. Using the Command Line (dsmod)

For quick resets or if you are working on a machine without a GUI, the dsmod command is a useful tool for resetting passwords.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt: Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

2. Run the Command:

   dsmod user "CN=John Doe,OU=Users,DC=domain,DC=com" -pwd NewPassword123!
   

   • Replace "CN=John Doe,OU=Users,DC=domain,DC=com" with the Distinguished Name (DN) of the user. You can get this DN from Active Directory or by using the dsquery command.
   • Replace "NewPassword123!" with the new password.

This method is faster and useful for batch processing via scripts.

5. Using the "Net User" Command (for Local Accounts)

If the user has a local account (not a domain account), the net user command is a simple way to reset the password.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt: Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

2. Run the Command:

   net user username NewPassword123!
   

This method is suitable for quickly resetting passwords on machines with local accounts, though it won't work for domain accounts.

6. Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR)

Many organizations now implement Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) solutions to allow users to reset their passwords without involving an IT admin. These tools can be integrated with Active Directory and can automate the password reset process through web interfaces, email confirmations, or SMS codes.

Popular SSPR solutions include:

• Microsoft Azure AD Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR)
• Third-Party Solutions like Okta or Reset360

Benefits:

• Reduces the workload for IT admins.
• Increases user satisfaction by providing a quick, easy way to reset passwords.
• Enhances security with multi-factor authentication during the reset process.

7. Using Group Policy (Password Expiration Reset)

You can configure Group Policy to enforce password expiration and reset requirements. This method doesn't directly reset passwords, but it forces users to change passwords periodically.

Steps:

1. Open Group Policy Management: Press Win + R, type gpmc.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Password Policy: Under Computer Configuration → Policies → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Account Policies → Password Policy.
3. Set Password Expiry: Modify settings like Maximum password age to force users to change passwords after a set period.

Although this method doesn’t reset passwords, it ensures that users regularly update their passwords to improve security.

8. Using Active Directory Web Services (ADWS)

If you're working with an application or system that needs to interact programmatically with Active Directory, you can use Active Directory Web Services (ADWS). It provides a RESTful API for password management, which can be integrated into custom applications or automation scripts.

Example of API Request:

POST https://<server>/adws/ResetPassword
{
    "Username": "user@example.com",
    "NewPassword": "NewPassword123!"
}

ADWS is a more advanced solution and is useful when building custom applications for password management.

Best Practices for Password Management

• Strong Password Policies: Enforce strong password requirements (length, complexity, regular changes).
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for enhanced security.
• Regular User Training: Educate users about password security best practices.
• Password Managers: Encourage users to utilize password managers to securely store and manage their credentials.

Conclusion

Resetting Active Directory passwords is a common administrative task that can be accomplished through various methods. Whether you are working in a small environment and prefer using Active Directory Users and Computers, or you're handling bulk resets with PowerShell scripts, there is a method that fits your needs.

For larger organizations, automating password resets with Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) solutions can reduce the burden on IT and improve the user experience. Regardless of the method chosen, always ensure you follow security best practices and keep track of changes to avoid any potential security risks.