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How to Resolve Password Expiry Messages in Windows Server 2022

Learn how to resolve password expiry prompts on your VPS by securely updating your password or adjusting expiration settings.

Updated over a week ago

💡 Why This Happens: Most QuantVPS servers are provisioned with Windows Server 2022, and password expiration policies may be enabled by default as part of Windows security settings. If you’re encountering a password expiry prompt, it does not indicate an issue with your VPS — it’s a standard part of Windows account policy enforcement. If desired, you can disable password expiration policies entirely using Group Policy or Local Security Policy. However, we recommend updating your password as prompted to ensure continued access.

If you’re using a VPS running Windows Server 2022, you may occasionally see a message requiring you to change your password due to expiration policies enforced by the system. This is part of Windows’ built-in security protocol and can be quickly resolved by following the steps below.

Why Password Expiry Prompts Occur

Windows Server includes default security settings that may automatically expire user passwords after a set period of time. When this happens, you’ll be prompted to update your password upon login — especially when using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). This policy is not specific to QuantVPS — it’s a Microsoft feature designed to enforce good password hygiene on all Windows Server environments.

Step 1: Connect to the VPS

Log in using Remote Desktop (RDP) and your Administrator credentials. If the password has already expired, Windows will prompt you to change it immediately.

Step 2: Use CTRL + ALT + END to Manually Change It

If you’re inside the desktop and need to proactively update your password:

  • Press CTRL + ALT + END (not CTRL + ALT + DEL)

  • Select Change a password

  • Enter your current password, then set and confirm a new one

Passwords must meet Windows complexity requirements: uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character.

Method 2: Reset the Password Using PowerShell

If you’re logged in through another admin-level user and need to reset the Administrator password manually:

  1. Open PowerShell as Administrator

  2. Run this command (update as needed):

net user Administrator NewSecurePassword123!

You can now log in using the new password.

Optional: Disable Password Expiry Using Server Manager

If you prefer not to deal with password expiration in the future, you can turn off the expiration policy via Server Manager:

Step-by-Step:

  1. Open Server Manager

  2. Click on ToolsComputer Management

  3. In the left menu, go to:

    System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users

  4. Right-click the Administrator account → Properties

  5. Check the box that says:

    Password never expires

  6. Click Apply and OK

⚠️ Disabling password expiration is not recommended for production or multi-user systems, but can be acceptable for isolated VPS use cases.


🤝 Need Assistance?

If any part of the setup feels unclear, the QuantVPS team is happy to help. If you’d like us to verify your environment from our side, feel free to open a support ticket and get connected with the team: https://www.quantvps.com/

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