Changing RDP Password Before Expiry

When such situation arises, the standard CTRL + ALT + DEL key combo cannot be used, because it would be captured by the local OS (the one used by the PC we’re using to access the remote environment), which will prompt its own change password screen: therefore, we would be able to change the local Windows account password instead of the remote one.

Using CTRL + ALT + END

Luckily enough, there is another key combo that we can use to trigger the change password screen on the remote system: CTRL + ALT + END. This command is specifically meant to be the “three-finger salute” equivalent for remote desktop connections and can be safely used to remotely change password, because it won’t be “intercepted” by the local OS in any way.

The END key is usually located close to the CANC key (that’s arguably why it was chosen as replacement hotkey).

Using the On-Screen Keyboard

If you don’t want (or you are unable) to use the CTRL + ALT + END key combo, you can still access the “change password” screen using the Windows On-Screen Keyboard. To activate it, just click to the Start menu, then type “ost” and click to the On-Screen Keyboard icon that will show up.

Now we can press CTRL + ALT using the hardware keyboard and then simultaneously click the third key (DEL / CANC) using the On-Screen Keyboard, thus determining the “three-finger salute” key combo on the remote PC.

What if it’s already too late?

In the unfortunate event that the password expires before you can change it, the remote access tool will give you an error message like this when you connect:

An authentication error has occurred. The Local Security Authority cannot be contacted. This could be due to an expired password. Please update your password if it has expired. For assistance, contact your administrator or technical support.

In this case, you can read another article tailor made for this https://corientbs.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44001822280-rds-password-reset

If problem persist. You can always create support ticket.