[Fix] “Windows cannot Change the Password” Error Message in User Accounts in Control Panel

If you are having problems in changing your user account password in Windows, this tutorial will definitely help you.

Recently an AskVG reader “Andre Christian” contacted us regarding following problem:

Hi VG, I want to change my Windows user account password, but it shows the following error:

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User Account Control Panel

Windows cannot change the password.
[OK]

Even I unchecked “User cannot change password” from Local Users and Groups in Computer Management, it doesn’t resolve itself.

Its a very annoying problem in Windows. Sometimes when you try to change your user account password in Windows, you get above mentioned error message or following error message:

Your account password is managed by system administrator.

In all these situations, you can’t change your account password. It doesn’t matter whether you already have an existing password set for your account or not, you always get this error message and unable to change the password.

If you are also facing this problem, you can try following solutions:

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SOLUTION 1: Allow Changing Password Using Computer Management

1. First of all we’ll need to open Computer Management window which can be opened using any of following methods:

Right-click on Computer icon on Desktop and select Manage option, it’ll open “Computer Management” window.

OR

You can also open it by giving compmgmt.msc command in RUN dialog box or Start Search box.

OR

Windows 8 and later users can open Computer/This PC window and then click onĀ Manage button present in the ribbon.

OR

Windows 8 and later users can also open it using Win+X menu.

2. Now go to “Local Users and Groups -> Users” section. In right-side pane double-click on the user account which is not allowing you to change its password. It’ll open its Properties window.

3. Now make sure “User cannot change password” option is unchecked. If its enabled, uncheck the checkbox and apply the changes.

Allow_User_Account_Change_Password.png

Now try to change your user account password and it should work this time.

SOLUTION 2: Allow Changing Password Using Command Prompt

If above mentioned method doesn’t work for you or if you face any problem in first method, try following:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator as mentioned here.

2. Now run following command:

net user username /Passwordchg:yes

Replace username with the correct user account name. For example if your user account name is Bill, then run following command:

net user Bill /Passwordchg:yes

If your user account name contains spaces, then put the account name inside double-quotes as following:

net user “Bill Gates” /Passwordchg:yes

Allow_User_Account_Change_Password_CMD.png

Now try to change your user account password again.

SOLUTION 3: Change Account Password Using Ctrl+Alt+Del Screen

If you still can’t change your user account password, you can change it directly using following method:

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys together to access the CAD screen.

2. Now click on Change a Password option.

Restart_Shutdown_Windows_8_PC_2.png

That’s it. Now you can change your account password easily.

SOLUTION 4: Change Account Password Using Computer Management

You can also directly change your user account password using Computer Management window:

1. Open Computer Management using Step 1 of Solution 1.

2. Now go to “Local Users and Groups -> Users” section. In right-side pane right-click on the user account which is not allowing you to change its password and select “Set Password” option.

Change_User_Account_Password_Computer_Management.png

3. It’ll show a warning message, click on Proceed button. Now you can set your new password.

SOLUTION 5: Change Account Password Using Command Prompt

There is another method to direct change your user account password. You can use a built-in DOS command to change your account password.

Just check the Method 3 in following tutorial:

How to Reset or Change Forgotten Administrator Password in Windows?

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. I can’t sign in at login screen so I made a password reset usb (my computer doesn’t have a disk slot) the i go back to my computer a click reset password and it tells me to pu in the new password and the hint i do that and an error pops up please help!

  2. I cannot seem to get this right. My version of windows is not Pro, so many of the options/solutions presented are not possible for me… any other ideas?

  3. My screen has no relation ton what your examples show. Control,alt,delete does not give me a change [passwpord option, computer management does not give me the drop down mwnu you show on windowa 8. Any other suggestions. All I want to do is change my password from an old girlfriend’s name to the new girl’s name

  4. Really frustrated. None of your examples work.
    Ctrl + Alt + Del brings up an error message.
    I have no ‘Local Users and Groups’ option in System Tools (it is entirely missing)
    There is no access to the Command prompt through Windows Accessories.
    Help!!

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