Change a Password - Add or Remove from Ctrl+Alt+Delete

INFO: This will show you how to add or remove Change a Password from the list of options in the Ctrl+Alt+Delete Security Screen for all users on the computer. Change a Password is added to this screen by default.

NOTE: All users will still be able to change their passwords from within User Accounts in the Control Panel. For more on this, see: How to Remove or Change a Password for a User Account in Vista

WHY: To allow or prevent all users on the computer from being able to change their password from the Ctrl+Alt+Delete security screen.

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Add or Remove Log Off from the Ctrl+Alt+Delete Screen in Vista

2. How to Enable or Disable Lock Computer in Vista

3. How to Disable or Enable Switch User on the Vista Start Menu

4. How to Enable or Disable Task Manager in Vista


EXAMPLE: The Ctrl+Alt+Delete Security Screen with Change a Password
NOTE: You enter the Security Screen by pressing the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys together from within Vista.

After_CtrlAltDel.jpg


METHOD ONE:
Through the Local Group Policy Editor:
NOTE: This is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions.
WARNING: This will abe applied to all user accounts on the computer.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3. Click Continue for the UAC prompt.
4. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, Ctrl+Alt+Del Options. (See screenshot below)
5. In the right pane, right click on Remove Change Password and click Properties.

Group_Policy.jpg

6. To Add Change a Password -
A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click OK. (See screenshot below step 7)
B) Go to step 8.

7. To Remove Change a Password -
A) Dot Enabled and click OK. (See screenshot below)

Properties.jpg

8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done.


METHOD TWO:
Through the Registry:
NOTE: This will work for all Vista editions.
WARNING: You must repeat this for each user account you want this applied to from within (logged on) that account. Doing this to the HKLM key does not have any affect.

Through a Download:
1. To Add Change a Password -
A) Add_Change_Password.reg < Click To Download
B) Go to step 3.

2. To Remove Change a Password -
A) Remove_Change_Password.reg < Click To Download

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.
5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).


The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click the Continue button for the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
NOTE: If you do not have System, then right click on Polices and click New -> Key, then type System and press Enter.

Reg1.jpg

5. To Remove Change a Password -
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. (See screenshot above)
B) Type DisableChangePassword and press Enter.
C) Right click on DisableChangePassword and click Modify.

Reg2.jpg

D) Type 1 and click OK. (See screenshot below)

Modify.jpg

E) You registry should now look like this. (See screenshot below)

Reg3.jpg

F) Go to step 7.

6. To Add Change a Password -
A) In the right pane, right click on DisableChangePassword and click Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click Yes to confirm deletion.

7. Close regedit.


That's it,
Shawn