Change Password policy

Question

_{Tuesday, May 3, 2016 9:31 PM}

This is on Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

How can we change the password policy?

We need to increase the number of characters and change expiration to every 90 days. Can the existing policy elements be changed? If not, how can we make a new policy that will take precedence over the default policy?

All replies (4)

_{Wednesday, May 4, 2016 3:32 AM}

Hi Franka，

For Windows server 2012 r2 essentials:

Change the password policy

Use the following procedure to set or change the password policy to any of four pre-defined policy profiles.

To change the password policy

1. Open the Windows Server Essentials Dashboard, and then click Users.

2. In the Users Tasks pane, click Set the password policy.

3. On the Change the Password Policy screen, set the level of password strength by moving the slider.

   Microsoft recommends that you set the password strength to Strong.

   Note
   As an option, you can also select Passwords never expire. This setting is less secure, and so it is not recommended.

4. Click Change policy.

Here is the link :

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj713507.aspx

________________________________________
Best Regards,
Cartman
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected].

_{Friday, September 30, 2016 3:54 PM}

The default setting changes the password every 180 days.

How can this be reduced to 90 days?

_{Saturday, October 1, 2016 6:32 PM}

Many thanks indeed Mariëtte.

I did try to mark as answered, but I don't see the link.

_{Thursday, December 15, 2016 10:13 AM | 1 vote}

Did the other replies really help?!

I did not find any of the suggestions on my WS2016 installation. Perhaps the other suggestions work only if one runs a zoo of Windows systems?!

What worked for me was this:

Run "Server Manager"

At the upper right corner there is a "Tools" pulldown menu, which contans "Local Security Policy".

This tool has at the left side "Secutiry Settings -> Account Policies -> Password Policy".

The list has "Maximum password age", which is eventually what you are looking for.