When managing a Windows Server 2008 Active Directory environment, administrators often need users to change their domain passwords without requiring domain-joined machines. This becomes particularly challenging when dealing with legacy Windows XP systems where modern authentication methods aren't available.

Here are several approaches that work without installing additional client software:

1. Using the OWA Password Change Feature

If you're running Exchange Server with Outlook Web Access (OWA):

// Example URL structure (adjust for your environment)
https://mail.yourdomain.com/owa/auth/change.aspx

2. IIS Password Change Application /h2>

Create a simple ASP.NET application on your domain controller's IIS:

protected void ChangePassword_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    using (PrincipalContext context = new PrincipalContext(ContextType.Domain, "YOURDOMAIN"))
    {
        using (UserPrincipal user = UserPrincipal.FindByIdentity(context, IdentityType.SamAccountName, Username.Text))
        {
            user.ChangePassword(OldPassword.Text, NewPassword.Text);
            user.Save();
        }
    }
}

3. Remote PowerShell Approach

For tech-savvy users, provide a PowerShell script:

$cred = Get-Credential "DOMAIN\username"
$newPass = ConvertTo-SecureString "NewPassword123!" -AsPlainText -Force
Set-ADAccountPassword -Identity "username" -NewPassword $newPass -Server "dc.yourdomain.com" -Credential $cred

For Windows XP workstations specifically:

• Configure the IIS method with SSL and basic authentication
• Add proper security headers to prevent clickjacking
• Implement password complexity verification in your web application

Remember to:

• Enable SSL for all password change operations
• Implement account lockout thresholds
• Audit all password change attempts
• Consider adding CAPTCHA for web-based methods

When managing an Active Directory environment with non-domain joined clients (particularly legacy Windows XP systems), password changes become non-trivial. The classic CTRL+ALT+DEL password change method won't work here since workstations aren't domain members.

The most elegant approach is leveraging your existing IIS setup:

// Sample ASP.NET C# code for password change page
protected void btnChangePassword_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    using (PrincipalContext context = new PrincipalContext(ContextType.Domain, "YOURDOMAIN"))
    {
        using (UserPrincipal user = UserPrincipal.FindByIdentity(context, txtUsername.Text))
        {
            if (user != null && user.ChangePassword(txtOldPassword.Text, txtNewPassword.Text))
            {
                lblMessage.Text = "Password changed successfully";
            }
        }
    }
}

Security considerations:

• Require SSL for the password change page
• Implement CAPTCHA to prevent brute force
• Set proper authentication headers in web.config

For tech-savvy users, create a batch script they can run:

@echo off
set /p user=Enter domain username: 
set /p oldpass=Enter current password: 
set /p newpass=Enter new password: 

net use \\dc01\ipc$ %oldpass% /user:%user% /persistent:no
if %errorlevel% neq 0 (
    echo Authentication failed
    exit /b 1
)

net user %user% %newpass% /domain
net use \\dc01\ipc$ /delete

If you have PSRemoting enabled on the DC:

# PowerShell script users can execute
$cred = Get-Credential
Invoke-Command -ComputerName DC01 -ScriptBlock {
    param($newpass)
    Set-ADAccountPassword -Identity $args[0] -NewPassword (ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText $newpass -Force) -Reset
} -ArgumentList $newpass -Credential $cred

For Windows XP clients, ensure:

• Latest .NET Framework installed for web method
• SMB1 enabled if using net use method (security risk!)
• Basic authentication may be needed for IIS

Create a scheduled task on the DC to email users before password expiration:

Get-ADUser -Filter {Enabled -eq $true} -Properties Mail,PasswordLastSet |
Where-Object {
    $lastSet = $_.PasswordLastSet
    $expiryDate = $lastSet.AddDays((Get-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy).MaxPasswordAge.TotalDays)
    ($expiryDate - (Get-Date)).TotalDays -le 7
} |
ForEach-Object {
    Send-MailMessage -To $_.Mail -Subject "Password Expiry Notice" -Body "Your password expires in 7 days. Change it at https://portal.yourdomain.com/changepwd"
}