how to bulk password reset for active directory users

Bulk Password Reset in Active Directory

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In this guide, you will learn how to bulk reset passwords for Active Directory users using the AD Pro Toolkit.

A bulk password reset in Active Directory is typically done to prepare or reset multiple accounts at once, to enforce compliance requirements or after a security incident.

Video Demo

If you don’t like videos scroll down for written steps.

Step 1. Create a CSV file with a sAMAccountName (users logon name) and a password column.

To force the users to change password at next logon, add the pwdLastSet column and set the value to 0.

CSV Example:

Step 2. Open the AD Pro Toolkit

Step 3. Under “User Tools” click on “Modify Bulk Users”

Step 4. Select your csv file and click run.

When you click “Run” the toolkit will update the users passwords from the csv file.

Reset Password for All Users in an OU

In this example, I’ll show you how to reset the password for all users in an OU.

  1. Click on Export users from the sidebar menu.


  2. Click browse, select the OU and click run.
  3. Click export and select export to CSV.
  4. Modify the CSV file.
    • You only need the sAMAccountName and a password column.
    • Optionally add a pwdLastSet column to force password change at next logon.
  5. Open Bulk Modify users
  6. Select your CSV File and click run.

The AD Pro Toolkit contains multiple tools to simplify managing and reporting on Active Directory environments. You can download a 14-day trial or a schedule a demo and talk to a real person.