How to Change a Domain User Account Password Through a VPN

VPN is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network. The technology is referred to as a Virtual Private Network because, while it is a secure communication network, it uses the internet (which is public) to establish a network connection. Each user who belongs to a VPN is a "domain user." There are two methods to change the password of a domain user account. The first method supplies access to the network's server. The second method requires an administrator account and access to a computer joined to the network.

Changing Password from the Network's Server

• 1

  Log into the Windows server using an administrator account.

• 2

  Open the "Start" menu, pick "Control Panel," double-click "Administrative Tools" and then "Active Directory Users and Computers." This opens the "Active Directory Users and Computers" console.

• 3

  Click the plus sign next to the network domain name node to expand the contents list. The network domain name node is listed in the console tree on the left window panel. Click the "User" node. A list of all domain user accounts in the selected network appears in the right window panel.

• 4

  Right-click the domain user account to change the password and elect "Reset" from the shortcut menu.

• 5

  Type the new password for the account in the "New Password" box. Type it again in the "Confirm Password" box. Click "OK" to save the information.

Change Password from a Computer Joined to the Network

• 1

  Log into a computer that belongs to the network domain using an account with administrator rights.

• 2

  Click "Start," select "Run," type "mmc" in the "Open" box, and press "Enter" to open the Microsoft Management Console.

• 3

  Click the plus sign next to the network domain name node to expand the contents list. Again, the network domain name node is listed in the console tree on the left window panel. Click the "User" node. All domain user accounts in the selected network appear in the right window panel.

• 4

  Right-click the domain user account to change the password and select "Reset" from the shortcut menu.

• 5

  Type the new password for the account in the "New Password" box. Type it again in the "Confirm Password" box. Click "OK" to save the information.