Guide: How to Set Minimum Password Length in Windows 10 PC
Microsoft recommends setting a minimum password length for user accounts on Windows 10 computers, as leaving them without a password can be risky. Special characters may also be required in some cases.
Enforcing a minimum password length for local user accounts in Windows 10 is essential. Here’s why.
Why you need a minimum password length for local user accounts
Local user accounts on Windows 10 provide users with privacy and security, as they do not require an internet connection or syncing of account settings across devices. This allows users to access Windows offline without the need for a Microsoft account, while still being able to sign in to Windows apps and services.
Microsoft has not set a minimum password length for local user accounts, though users can enable the option through the Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.
Anyone with access to your computer can easily gain access to all of its contents, posing a serious security risk. To protect yourself, it is recommended that you keep your device offline and not link it to a Microsoft account. However, even when offline, there is still the potential for physical access which could lead to disastrous consequences.
Using longer passwords is the best way to protect yourself online, according to the FBI. Simple combinations of letters and numbers are more secure than short passwords with special characters. Popular examples of ‘dumb passwords’ include date of birth, house or license plate numbers, and even 1234 - all of which can easily be guessed by hackers.
Longer passwords are harder to crack, yet easier to remember. Research shows that the more characters a password has, the more computing power and time it takes to break it.
1. Set the minimum password length using CMD
Windows 10 Home users can open Command Prompt (CMD) with administrator rights by searching for it in the Start menu.
To require a longer password, enter “PassLength” into the command line and press Enter. This will set the minimum length of any new passwords to that number of characters.
A new policy has been implemented requiring all net accounts to have a minimum password length of 8 characters.
To verify if a command has been successfully executed, users can either create a new local account with a password shorter than the set length or issue the command in CMD.
Local accounts now require a password with a minimum length, according to new regulations.
The command to remove the minimum password length requirement is now available.
Net accounts must have a minimum password length of zero.
2. Set the minimum password length using the Group Policy Editor
Windows Pro and Enterprise users with access to the Group Policy Editor (GPE) can use its graphical user interface (GUI) to make system-level changes without using commands. However, caution is advised as mistakes can occur.
Before continuing, it’s important to create a backup or restore point. If you’re in an enterprise environment, contact your IT administrator for more information as domain policies take precedence over system policies.
To access the Group Policy Editor, type “gpedit.msc” into the Windows Start menu and open it.
Examine the folder structure in detail.
Windows users must adhere to certain password policies, as outlined in the Security Settings and Account Policy of their computer’s Configuration.
Open the Minimum password length policy file and you’ll find 21 characters set in CMD.
Local user accounts can be accessed without a password if the value is set to 0.
Set the minimum password length in characters, then click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Want the best of both worlds? Require users to include special characters in their passwords and set a regular password change schedule.
Open the “Password must meet complexity requirements policy” option by double-clicking.
This policy requires Enable and Save All to be selected.
Users should set a password of at least 6 characters in length, the default value.
Account names and full names longer than two characters are not allowed.
A new report has revealed that at least one character in a video game must be included for it to be successful. The findings suggest that having a character with whom players can identify is essential for the game to be successful.
From A to Z, the English alphabet is composed of capital letters.
From a to z, the English alphabet is composed of lowercase letters.
From zero to nine, numbers are a fundamental part of our lives. They are used in everyday activities such as counting, measuring and calculating. Numbers play an important role in mathematics, science and technology, as well as in finance and economics. They can also be used to express ideas or feelings.
Punctuation marks such as exclamation points, at symbols, pound signs and dollar signs can be used to add emphasis or draw attention to a message.
Double-clicking the Maximum password age policy file will require users to change their passwords every X days.
To improve security, users should be prompted to change their local user account passwords every 45 or 90 days. However, this can be difficult for older people who find it challenging to work with computers and remember passwords, so a more favorable number should be set.
Maximum security measures
When deciding on the minimum password length for computers, it is important to consider the environment, user technical skills and desired level of security. This balance between convenience, usability and security should be carefully weighed as it can have a significant impact on how easily the computer can be shared with family members.
Microsoft has granted administrators greater control over local and online accounts, allowing for increased flexibility.
Accidentally deleted an administrator account in Windows 10? Don’t panic - there’s a way to restore it. Click the link below for instructions, and find out how to prevent it from happening again.
How to Set Minimum Password Length in Windows 10 PC: benefits
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Final note
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to set a minimum password length in Windows 10 PCs. If you have any questions, please reach out for help. Share the love and spread the word!
If you have any questions about setting the minimum password length in Windows 10 PCs, please ask us in the comments section or contact us directly. This guide is for educational purposes only. If you want to correct any misinformation about this guide, please contact us. If anyone wants to add more methods to this guide, please also contact us. For help, use our contact page or follow us on Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter. We usually respond within 24-48 hours (weekends excluded). For software updates and discussion join our Telegram channel.
