How to Add or Remove "Change a Password" from the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen

When you logged onto a Windows 7/Vista/XP computer, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete will invokes Windows Security Screen (also CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen). It is a graphical user interface that allows user to lock the system, switch user, log off, change password, invoke Windows Task Manager or end Windows session by shutting down, rebooting or putting the computer into sleep or hibernation.

The CTRL+ALT+DEL combination is really a convenient way to lock a machine, switch user or access the task manager. And just like most everything else in Windows, this feature can be customized: namely, you can add and remove options from the CTRL+ALT+DEL screen. This article will show you how to add or remove "Change a Password" from the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen in details.

• Part 1: How to Remove "Change a Password" from the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen?
• Part 2: How to Add "Change a Password" to the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen?

Part 1: How to Remove "Change a Password" from the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen?

Change a Password is added to CTRL+ALT+DEL screen by default. If you want to prevent all users on the computer from being able to change their password from the Ctrl+Alt+Delete security screen, you can remove "Change a Password" from the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen easily. Following steps takes Windows 7 for example.

• Step1: Launch "Local Group Policy Editor". To launch it, open the start menu, and type "gpedit.msc" in the search field - press Enter or click on the matching search result at the top.
• Step2: In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, and Ctrl+Alt+Del.
• Step3: In the right pane, right click on Remove Change Password and click on Edit. To remove "Change a Password" from CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen, select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. Click OK.

Now the "Change a Password" option is disappeared from the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen. Note that you still have others ways to change your login password. Read about How to Change Windows Password for details.

Part 2: How to Add "Change a Password" to the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen?

For any reasons you may disable "Change a Password" from CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen but now you need it back? Adding "Change a Password" to CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen is as easy as you remove it from the screen. Just follow steps below.

• Step 1: Open the start menu, and type "gpedit.msc" in the search field - press Enter or click on the matching search result at the top to launch "Local Group Policy Editor".
• Step 2: In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, and Ctrl+Alt+Del.
• Step3: In the right pane, right click on Remove Change Password and click on Edit. To add "Change a Password" to CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen, select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. Click OK.

So you can easily add or remove "Change a Password" from the CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen following steps below. Remember that removing or adding "Change a Password" option from this screen applies to all users on this PC.