Question

Turning off complexity requirements

Asked by: computermdnow

Is there any way to completely turn off all complexity requirements on my domain??

I tried to do this using default domain policy w/ no other linked policies, and still it exists??

Thanks in advance,

Ilya

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Asked On
2007-04-16 at 07:18:02ID22513587
Tags

complexity

,

requirements

,

off

,

turn

Topics

Windows 2003 Server

,

Active Directory

,

SBS Small Business Server

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: PeteLongPosted on 2007-04-16 at 07:26:52ID: 18917856

Hello computermdnow,

Disable Password Complexity

Message

"Windows cannot set the password for <user> because: The password does not meet the password policy requirements. Check the minimum password length, password complexity and password history requirements."

By default Windows Server 2003 requires passwords to meet the following criteria for strong passwords.


Has at least 6 characters
Does not contain "Administrator" or "Admin"
Contains characters from three of the following categories:
Uppercase letters (A, B, C, and so on)
Lowercase letters (a, b, c, and so on)
Numbers (0, 1, 2, and so on)
Non-alphanumeric characters (#, &, ~, and so on)

NB:Loosening password restrictions decreases security.

1. Start > Administrative Tools > Domain Security Policy
2. Security Settings > Account Policies > Password Policy.
3. Right-click on Minimum password length in the right pane. Click Properties from the context menu.
4. Do not remove the check from the Define this policy setting checkbox! Enter a new minimum password length. Entering a Zero (0) will remove the password requirement. Click the OK button.
5. Double-click on Passwords must meet complexity requirements in the right pane.
6. Do not remove the check from the Define this policy setting checkbox! Select the Disabled option.(This will allow simpler passwords.) Click the OK button.
7. Close the Default Domain Security Settings window.
8. Click Start > Run > cmd {enter}
9. Type gpupdate /force {enter}
10. Type exit {enter}

Regards,

PeteLong

 

by: computermdnowPosted on 2007-04-16 at 08:44:17ID: 18918502

Hi PeteLong,

I tried this method including gpupdate /force on all machines however the complexity policy is still in effect.

Is there another way to disable or to check whether the policy can be disabled?

 

by: FixingStuffPosted on 2007-04-16 at 09:55:22ID: 18919039

The policy may have been set at a lower level the the default for your domain. Check in your OUs and other branches to see if it has been set, and possibly set with Blocked Inheritance.  Best way is to use a tool like GPMC.MSC if you don't already have it.
The only other thing would be if it had been set manually under Local Security on each machine.
fs

 

by: PeteLongPosted on 2007-04-16 at 10:30:16ID: 18919299

Passowrd Policies can ONLY be set at the domain level - if you set a password policy lower then it will be ignored, are you sure you are editing the default domain policy? - and there are no otyher policies linked at domain level?

 

by: FixingStuffPosted on 2007-04-16 at 11:27:16ID: 18919720

Pete is correct... listen to the man.   I should have remembered this.
fs

 

by: computermdnowPosted on 2007-04-18 at 08:31:13ID: 18932485

Yea it is the default domain policy, this is a freshly created domain with only one DC and a few workstations. Im guessing its a glitch somewhere.

 

by: computermdnowPosted on 2007-04-18 at 08:44:36ID: 18932584

Pete,

I ran through the steps again and it worked this time.

Thank you,

Ilya

 

by: PeteLongPosted on 2007-04-18 at 08:51:50ID: 18932648

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