When combining Network Level Authentication (NLA) with the "Change password at next logon" requirement in RDP sessions, the authentication sequence becomes critical. Here's what happens at the protocol level:

1. Client initiates RDP connection with NLA
2. CredSSP performs pre-authentication
3. Server detects password change requirement
4. Security context breaks before GUI session starts

For servers with Remote Desktop Services role, modify this registry key to enable password change before session creation:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations]
"PromptForPasswordChange"=dword:00000001
"PasswordChangeEnable"=dword:00000001

For non-RDS servers where the standard behavior works:

1. Open secpol.msc
2. Navigate to: Local Policies → Security Options
3. Set "Network security: Allow PKU2U authentication requests to this computer to use online identities" to Disabled

When the change still doesn't work, check these event logs:

Event Viewer → Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → TerminalServices-SessionSecurity

Common error patterns:

• Event ID 50: CredSSP sequence failure
• Event ID 25: NLA handshake timeout

For批量 deployment across multiple servers:

$servers = "server1","server2","server3"
$scriptBlock = {
    Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations" -Name "PromptForPasswordChange" -Value 1
    Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations" -Name "PasswordChangeEnable" -Value 1
    Restart-Service TermService -Force
}

Invoke-Command -ComputerName $servers -ScriptBlock $scriptBlock -Credential (Get-Credential)

To verify the solution works:

1. Set user property: net user testuser /logonpasswordchg:yes
2. Attempt RDP connection
3. Expected flow:
   a) NLA credential prompt appears
   b) After authentication, password change dialog appears
   c) New session establishes after password change

When enforcing password changes for local users on a Windows Server 2008 R2 with Remote Desktop Services (RDS), administrators encounter a critical difference in behavior between standard RDP and RDS environments. The fundamental disconnect occurs when Network Level Authentication (NLA) is enabled - instead of receiving a password change prompt, users get an authentication error.

The Windows security model handles credential changes differently across authentication layers:

Standard RDP sequence:
1. Basic authentication
2. Session establishment 
3. Password change prompt (if flagged)

RDS with NLA sequence:
1. Pre-session NLA authentication
2. Credential verification
3. Blocked session if password change required

This architectural difference explains why the behavior diverges between standard RDP and RDS environments.

Key configuration elements affecting this behavior:

• NLA Requirement: "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication" enabled
• RDS Role Services: Only RD Session Host and Licensing installed
• Authentication Stack: CredSSP (Credential Security Support Provider) handling the NLA process

Option 1: Registry Modification

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp]
"UserAuthentication"=dword:00000000

This disables NLA temporarily to allow password changes, but reduces security during the change window.

Option 2: PowerShell Automation

# Force password reset before RDP connection
$user = Get-LocalUser -Name "targetuser"
$user | Set-LocalUser -PasswordNeverExpires $false
$newPassword = ConvertTo-SecureString "TempPass123!" -AsPlainText -Force
Set-LocalUser -Name $user.Name -Password $newPassword -UserMayChangePassword $true

This script sets a temporary password that users must change upon first login.

For production environments, consider these architectural approaches:

• Implement a read-only domain controller (RODC) in perimeter networks
• Use RADIUS authentication with password change policies
• Deploy a web-based password reset portal for remote users

Each solution carries distinct security trade-offs:

For most environments, we recommend this balanced approach:

1. Create a scheduled task that runs the PowerShell script during maintenance windows
2. Implement IP restrictions during password reset periods
3. Monitor authentication events through Windows Event Log forwarding