Resetting Microsoft Entra ID passwords with the Set-AzureADUserPassword cmdlet
Resetting passwords in Microsoft Entra ID using PowerShell scripts like Set-AzureADUserPassword might seem straightforward for admins, but it has limitations when it comes to scalability, automation, and end-user empowerment. While scripting offers quick fixes for single-user scenarios, organizations often need a more secure and user-friendly way, such as self-service password reset. This is where a solution like ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus helps bridge the gap between help desk efficiency and user convenience.
With PowerShell
Set the password for a user in Azure Active Directory
Executing this code will reset the password for a single user in Azure Active Directory.
Resets the user's password and enforces the user's account password policy, such as maximum age, password history, and complexity requirements.
Supported parameters
Parameters
Description
-EnforceChangePasswordPolicy
Ensures the new password follows the tenant's password policy when set to $true.
-ForceChangePasswordNextLogin
Requires the user to change their password at the next sign in if $true.
-ObjectID
The unique GUID that identifies the Microsoft Entra ID user account.
-Password
The new password value to be assigned to the user.
Limitations of using PowerShell to reset end users' passwords
Admin dependency: End users cannot run PowerShell and must contact the help desk for every forgotten password. This makes it impractical, especially for large organizations
No 24/7 availability: Users can't reset passwords outside help desk hours, unlike self-service password reset portals.
No identity verification: PowerShell-based Microsoft Entra ID password resets bypass MFA, increasing security risks.
No audit trail for user actions: Lacks detailed logs of who attempted resets and when.
Inefficient for scale: Handling resets for many users manually creates IT overhead.
Limited integration: Doesn't provide features like web portals, mobile apps, or MFA-based unlocks that self-service password reset solutions offer.
ADSelfService Plus brings enterprise-grade password security to Microsoft Entra ID
Web browsers by accessing the ADSelfService Plus portal, which can be configured to be accessed through all major web browsers.
Their mobile devices by accessing the ADSelfService Plus iOS or Android mobile app or mobile site.
Their private networks, even remotely. Furthermore resetting their passwords, ADSelfService Plus also lets users update their cached credentials.
Password self-service, simplified: Allow users to perform self-service password resets on their Microsoft Entra ID, Active Directory, and cloud accounts.
Improves account security: Secures Microsoft Entra ID password reset with advanced multi-factor authentication including FIDO2 passkeys, biometrics and YubiKey authentication.
Improves the user experience: Allows users to reset forgotten passwords from a secure portal, from anywhere, at any time.
Advanced password policy settings: Admins can ensure users create strong Microsoft Entra ID passwords by banning weak passwords, palindromes, etc.
Highlights of ADSelfService Plus:
Password self-service : Unburden users from lengthy help desk calls by empowering them with self-service password reset and account unlocking capabilities.
Multi-factor authentication : Enable context-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) with 20 different authentication factors for endpoint, application, VPN, OWA, and RDP logins.
One identity with single sign-on : Get seamless one-click access to more than 100 cloud applications. With enterprise single sign-on (SSO), users can access all their cloud applications including Microsoft 365 using their Windows AD credentials.
Password synchronization : Synchronize Windows AD user passwords and account changes across multiple systems automatically, including Microsoft 365.
Custom password policy enforcer : Prevent users from setting weak and breached passwords for their accounts with an advanced password policy and its integration with Have I Been Pwned?
