Azure Self-Service Password Reset: Empowering User Independence

Learn how Azure's self-service password reset feature allows users to independently reset forgotten passwords, saving time and reducing the IT department's workload. This straightforward process enhances productivity and minimizes support costs. Available in both Basic and Premium editions of Azure Active Directory, this feature can greatly benefit your organization. If you need access, check the chapter on "Personalize Company Branding" for instructions on starting a free trial of the Premium edition.

Azure - Self-Service Password Reset

Azure enables users within your directory to independently reset their passwords if forgotten, which saves time and alleviates the workload for your IT department or helpdesk. This feature allows users to follow a straightforward process, enhancing productivity and reducing support costs. The self-service password reset functionality is available in both the Basic and Premium editions of Azure Active Directory. For those without access, refer to the chapter on "Personalize Company Branding" for guidance on activating a free trial of the Premium edition.

Steps to Enable Self-Service Password Reset

  1. Log in to the Azure Management Portal:
  2. Navigate to the Active Directory: Select the directory you wish to configure.
  3. Click on the ‘Configuration’ tab:
  4. Scroll down to the ‘User Password Reset Policy’ section:
  5. Enable Self-Service Password Reset: Toggle the setting to ‘Yes’ to activate this feature, then scroll down to establish specific policies.
  6. Decide on Password Reset Eligibility: Determine whether to allow password resets for all users or restrict it to specific groups within your directory.
  7. Set Up Authentication Methods: Choose from the four verification options available to users for identity verification:
    • Mobile phone
    • Alternate email address
    • Security questions
    • Office phone
    For instance, you can permit users to verify their identity using either their mobile phone or an alternate email address.
  8. Specify Number of Required Authentication Methods: From the dropdown menu, select how many verification methods users must provide. If you choose ‘2’, users will be required to verify their identity using two forms of contact, such as a mobile phone and an office phone. For simplicity, we will set this to ‘1’.
  9. User Registration for Self-Service Password Reset: Decide if users must register themselves for the self-service password reset. If ‘No’ is selected, the administrator must manually register each user.
  10. Customize the ‘Contact Your Administrator’ Link: Specify a webpage link or an email address where users can contact if they encounter issues during the password reset process.
  11. Save Your Settings: Click ‘Save’ at the bottom of the screen to apply your changes.

User Experience

After the policy is established, users will be prompted to register for the self-service password reset the next time they log in. During this registration, they can provide their phone number or an alternate email address, which will be used for identity verification during password resets.

Example Verification Methods

For example, if a user forgets their password, they can opt to receive a verification code via:

  • A call to their mobile phone
  • A text message to their mobile phone
  • An email to an alternate address

Benefits of Self-Service Password Reset

This setup streamlines the password recovery process, making it user-friendly and significantly reducing reliance on IT support for password management.