How to add Users manually only?

Hi everybody,
i am running a page where there is no registration form, because the client wants to add users manually only. This results in difficulties for the users (re-)setting their password.
I tried two ways:
1. setting the role to “email activation required”. When users activate their account and navigate to the “set password” tab, they are asked to enter their current password. (what they don’t have/know). Is there a way to send the initial password in the account activation email? Or remove the “current password” field in the change password tab?

2. setting role to “auto approve”. then a password reset link should be included in the welcome email, but it seems this placeholder does not work in the welcome mail.

Do you have an idea how to make it possible to let the user directly set his password on first login/activation?
Thanks in advance
Alex