We are running WSS 3 installed on Windows Server 2003. We recently had some issues with the farm that required us to dump the web application, create a new one, and reconnect it to the old content database. All of the sites, users, and content is back, but we have lost some functionality. Our users were previously able to change their passwords via a link within the People and Groups page, but the link has disappeared, and the pages that were there before no longer exist (we had record of the actual URLs). The URL used to be here: http://<domain>/_layouts/1033/password.aspx Also, the site collection administrators used to be able to change other users' passwords, but this has been lost as well. We can't find the option to re-enable this, and all the articles I've read about it seem to say that some 3rd party software is required to be able to do this, though I know that this is not true. Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

Unless you are running your WSS 3.0 installation in "Account Creation Mode" then a 3rd party solution IS required for users to change their own passwords in SharePoint. The Password.aspx page you referenced does not work in a normal SharePoint installation. There are lots of 3rd party solutions that add custom code to either make that page work or to implement password change web parts. But it won't work out of the box unless your installation is installed in the special Account Creation Mode designed for hosting. You'll need to check all the features installed in your environment to find the one that implements the 3rd party solution fo make this work.Paul Stork SharePoint Server MVP

Thank you for the quick reply. Where would I look to determine what suer mode it's configured in?

Hi, By default, SharePoint will install using the Active Directory Domain Account mode. However, hidden deep behind an Advanced Settings button at the end of SharePoint’s installation is the option to choose a different option when it comes to how SharePoint handles user accounts. Setting up account modes is a one-shot deal. You get one chance to choose your user account mode when you install the rst SharePoint server in the server farm (or a Stand-alone server). Then that information gets locked in the conguration database of the whole farm, affecting the whole farm with no way to change it. You cannot undo the account mode decision once you make it. So choose with caution. You can ask your farm administrator to confirm this information. For more information about how Active Directory Account Creation mode works, please refer to the following book’s “advanced installation” section: Mastering Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd576269.aspx Questions regarding AD Account Creation mode? : Sharepoint http://objectmix.com/sharepoint/337244-questions-regarding-ad-account-creation-mode.html Hope this helps. Rock WangRock Wang MSFT