# Changing a password on a PC from a Mac **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 4, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127 "2020-05-04T15:07:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127/1 "2020-05-04T15:07:19Z")
I log onto my work computer by connecting to VPN and then starting Microsoft Remote Desktop. I can do my work except for one thing: Changing the password. To change the password when I’m in the office, I do Ctrl+Alt+Del and it gives me the option to change the password. I don’t have Ctrl+Alt+Del on the Mac. It’s not much of a problem because I go to the office twice a week – until now. I’m telecommuting full-time during the shut-down. (FWIW, ‘control’ on the Mac does not work like Ctrl on the PC. I have to right-click the mouse instead of control+click.) Someone who is in the office changed my password for me this morning, so all is good. But if there’s a way of doing this remotely myself – without remapping keys, since I want them to do what I expect on the Mac – that would be convenient. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127/2 "2020-05-04T15:24:36Z")
Can you get to the Windows Settings window? From there, click on Accounts, then click on Sign-In Options (it usually appears on the left side of the screen), then click on Password, which should bring up a “Change” button; click on that. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127/3 "2020-05-04T15:36:23Z")
Some Remote Desktops have a menu item to send special key combinations - check and see if MRD does. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127/4 "2020-05-04T15:38:33Z")
Thanks, **That Don Guy**. There is no Change button. There is a key icon that says ‘Sign in with your account’s password.’ When I click on it, it says ‘To change your domain password, click Ctrl+Alt+Del and chose Change a password.’ :smack: Under Have A Question =\> Resetting a local account password, it says ‘Select the **Reset password** link on the sign-in screen.’ I knew that, but I have to be on the PC to do it. I don’t get the sign-in screen when I connect via VPN and MRD. I go to the desktop, where I could have to Crtl+Alt+Del to change the password. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127/5 "2020-05-04T15:44:58Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Some Remote Desktops have a menu item to send special key combinations - check and see if MRD does. According to the macOS User Guide I find on Help, Windows Alt is Mac Option, and Windows Control is Mac Command. Of course I knew that insofar as using Mac keys on my Mac and Windows keys on Windows. (i.e., I knew what they do on both, and how to do what on each.) But Command+Option+delete in the Windows environment just gives me the ‘I don’t wanna’ ding. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127/6 "2020-05-04T15:50:49Z")
I think that, even if you were logging in from another PC, you still couldn’t use control-alt-delete, as that would be captured and interpreted by the computer you’re sitting in front of, not the one you’re remote-accessing. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127/7 "2020-05-04T15:58:16Z")
Here’s a bunch of answers: > ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-password-on-a-pc-from-a-mac/853127/8 "2020-05-04T16:08:39Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Here’s a bunch of answers: > [remote desktop - Ctrl Alt Delete on RDP with Macbook installed windows 7 - Super User](https://superuser.com/questions/808426/ctrl-alt-delete-on-rdp-with-macbook-installed-windows-7) Thanks, **beowulf**! **Fn+control+option+delete** 🙂