🔐 How to Change or Update Your Password When Connected via RDP to a VM (Hyper-V, Windows Server 2016)
When you're connected to a remote virtual machine (VM) through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) — especially in a Hyper-V or Windows Server 2016 environment — the usual Ctrl + Alt + Delete shortcut won’t work to bring up the password change screen.
Here’s how you can change or update your password safely while connected remotely.
✅ When Should You Change Your Password?
-
You're prompted to update an expiring password
-
Your IT administrator instructs you to do so
-
You suspect your account may have been compromised
-
You're using a temporary or default password
🔄 Use the Correct Keyboard Shortcut
Since Ctrl + Alt + Delete applies to your local machine, you need to use the Remote Desktop equivalent:
➤ Press: Ctrl + Alt + End
This sends the command to the remote system, not your local one.
🧭 Steps to Change Your Password via RDP
-
Log into the VM using Remote Desktop
-
Once you're on the desktop of the remote server, press:
Ctrl + Alt + End -
Click "Change a password"
-
Enter your:
-
Current password
-
New password
-
Confirm new password
-
-
Click Submit / OK
If successful, you’ll receive a confirmation and can continue using your session as normal.
❓Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
Ctrl + Alt + End not working |
Try using the on-screen keyboard inside the RDP session |
| Access denied | Ensure you're logged in with appropriate permissions and not using a locked or expired account |
| Can't remember password | Contact CalTec to reset your credentials securely |
| Prompt does not appear | Make sure you're pressing Ctrl + Alt + End from within the RDP window, not outside it |
🔒 Security Tips
-
Don’t use the same password across multiple systems
-
Avoid easy-to-guess passwords (e.g.,
Password123!) -
Choose a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
-
If you're unsure whether your password changed, log off and back in to verify