"Your Windows password could not be changed" error message in Outlook

When users try to change their Windows password in Microsoft Outlook, they may receive the following error message:

This problem occurs when users try to change their domain passwords when they are not logged on to the domain.

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Note This hotfix is required on all domain controllers in the client's domain, as any domain controller can receive a password change request. The password change is then forwarded to the PDC Emulator for immediate replication to the additional domain controllers. Install this hotfix only on domain controllers. This hotfix requires that you reboot the domain controllers.

Important This hotfix is not intended for Microsoft Outlook RPC over HTTPS. You are still unable to change your password when you use Outlook RPC over HTTPS.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: