Granting Users Password Change Ability (Password Administration)

KB ID 0000503

Problem

This is a two part operation, firstly you need to give the user(s) the rights to change passwords, then give them the tools to do so.

Solution

Step 1: Grant the rights (Delegation of Control)

1. Whilst logged into a domain controller with administrative access, open “Active Directory Users and Computers” and create a group that you are going to allow password reset rights to. Note: In this example I’ve created it in the same OU, in practice you would probably create the group elsewhere in AD.

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2. We are going to need to create a security group, give it a sensible name.

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3. At this point I’m also going to create a test user – (you will see why later), in the same OU that I’m going to grant password reset rights to.

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4. Right click the OU containing the users you want to grant password reset rights to (Or like in this example, the parent OU). Then select “Delegate Control”.

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5. At the welcome screen > Next.

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6. Add > Locate the group you created earlier > OK > Next.

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7. Grant the “Reset user passwords and force password change at next logon” > Next.

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8. Finish.

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9. Finally add the user(s) you want to grant reset rights to to the group you created earlier.

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Step 2 Give the user the tools – Option 1 (Create a Task Pad)

1. While still on your domain controller (or a machine with the RSAT tools Installed), Start > In the search/run box type mmc {enter}.

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2. File > Add/Remove snap-in > Locate and add the “Active Directory Users and Computers” snap-in > Add > OK.

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3. Right click the OU you are granting rights to > “New Taskpad View” (Note: you may need to turn on advanced view {view > Advanced options}).

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5. Next.

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6. Set as required > Next.

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7. Leave on defaults > Next.

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8. Add a name and description > Next.

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9. Make sure the “Add new tasks…” is selected > Finish.

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10. Next.

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11. Menu command > Next

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12. Select the test user you created above > Select “Reset Password” > Next.

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13. This is what the user will see in their taskpad as an option > Next.

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14. Select an icon > Next.

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15. If you want to add anything else, leave the box ticked to re-run > Otherwise > Finish. Lets remove all the bits we don’t need > View > Customise > Untick everything > OK.

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16. File > Options > Give the console a name > Select “User mode – limited access single window” > Untick “Allow the user to customise views” > Note: You might want to tick “Do not save changes to the console” > Apply > OK.

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17. File > Save > Put the file somewhere you can find it.

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18. Now your password admins can run this taskpad and have the “Reset password option”.

Note: For them to be able to run this on their client machines they need the following installing on their machines:

XP Clients and 2003 Server: adminpack.msi (you will find it in the system32 folder on your (2003)domain controllers.

Vista Clients and 2008 Server: Install the Vista RSAT Tools (download).

Windows 7 Clients and Server 2008 R2: Install the Windows 7 RSAT Tools (download).

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Step 2 Give the user the tools – Option 2 (Use NTAdmin)

1. Yes its an old tool but it’s simple and it works! Good for help desk staff and technophobes! Download NTAdmin > When you run it, browse > select the user in question > OK.

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2. Click ResetPW > take the default of “welcome”, or choose a new one > Yes > OK.

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Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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Author: Migrated

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