After investigating this particular issue, it turns out that there are a couple of different scenarios with the potential of causing this issue. Here’s a shortlist of problems that might trigger the System Error 8646: Now that you are intimately familiar with every scenario that might end up producing this error, here’s a list of verified methods that other affected Windows users have successfully used to get to the bottom of the System Error 8646:
Method 1: Change the Password via the GUI menu of Windows
If you’re only encountering this issue while attempting to use a net user CMD command to reset your password, keep in mind that you have several workarounds at your disposal if you can actually get past the sign-in menu of your Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 OS. Depending on your OS of choice, you can expect to be able to get around this issue Several affected users have reported that they managed to get around this issue by using the Settings app or the classic control panel interface to change the password of their local account. Important: These methods will only work as long as you are able to log in and if you are using a local account. Depending on your preferred way of doing things, follow one of the sub-guides below to change the password of the Settings app via the classic control panel interface or via the settings app:
A. Changing the password via Control panel (Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10)
If you’re not using Windows 10 or you’d prefer to stay away from the Settings interface, you can also change your current password for the local account via the Control Panel menu. Here’s what you need to do:
B. Changing the Password via the Settings app of Windows 10
If what you’re attempting to achieve via this net user command is to change your password on your Windows 10 computer and you know your current password, follow the instructions below to change it via the Settings app: In case this method was not applicable in your particular scenario or there’s no way for you to access the Settings screen of Windows 10 conventionally, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 2: Reset the Microsoft Account password online
If you’re encountering the System Error 8646 when attempting to use the ‘net user USERNAME NEWPASSWORD‘ CMD command to reset the password of a Microsoft account, this is to be expected since the only way to reset MS account password is by going online. Important: The ‘net user’ command will only be effective in resetting your login password as long as the user you’re trying to access is not tied up to a Microsoft account. If you want to reset the password of a Microsoft account, the only way to do it is from the account.live.com infrastructure. Here’s what you need to do:
Apple Announces New Password Manager Resources: Standardising The Rules of…[FIX] Error Occurred while the wizard was attempting to set the password for…How to Fix Your account wasn’t changed to this Microsoft account. Code:…FIX: Your Microsoft Account wasn’t changed to a local account 0x80004005
