How to Change Password Policy in Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller

How to Change Password Policy in Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller

Changing the password policy in Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller is crucial for maintaining strong cyber security within your network. Follow these steps to modify the password policy:

1. Log in to the Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller using an administrator account.
2. Open the 'Group Policy Management' console by searching for 'gpmc.msc' in the 'Run' dialog.
3. Expand your domain and navigate to 'Default Domain Policy' or any other specific policy you want to edit.
4. Right-click on the policy and select 'Edit' to open the Group Policy Management Editor.
5. In the editor, go to 'Computer Configuration' > 'Policies' > 'Windows Settings' > 'Security Settings' > 'Account Policies' > 'Password Policy'.
6. Here you can set various password policy settings such as password length, complexity, expiration, etc.
7. Make the desired changes to the password policy settings and save the changes.
8. Close the Group Policy Management Editor and force a group policy update on the Domain Controller.
9. Test the new password policy by creating or updating user passwords within the domain.
10. Monitor the impact of the new password policy and make adjustments if necessary.

By customizing the password policy in your Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller, you can enhance the security of your network and ensure that user accounts are protected against cyber threats.