There may be times when you may want to restrict or prevent users from changing Password in Windows 11/10. The reasons could be many – maybe you have two users using the same user account to log into Windows, and you do not want to change the password directly. Or you do not want some user to change his password. In such cases, you can prevent standard users from changing their Password in Windows 10/8/7, using Computer Management, Group Policy, and Registry Editor.
Prevent users from changing Password in Windows
1] Using Computer Management
From the WinX Menu of Windows, open Computer Management. In the left pane, scroll down to System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users.
In the middle pane, you will see the list of user accounts on your Windows computer. Right-click on the username, on which you want to apply this restriction and select Properties. The following window will open.
Here, check the User cannot change password box and click on Apply.
Now, if the user tries to change his password, he or she will receive the message Windows cannot change the password.
2] Using Group Policy Editor
From the WinX Menu, open the Run box, type gpedit.msc and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
Navigate to the following setting:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options
In the right pane, double-click on Remove change password and select Enabled.
This policy setting prevents users from changing their Windows password on demand. If you enable this policy setting, the ‘Change Password’ button on the Windows Security dialog box will not appear when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del. However, users are still able to change their password when prompted by the system. The system prompts users for a new password when an administrator requires a new password or their password is expiring.
Click Apply and exit.
3] Using Registry Editor
If your version of Windows, does not have Group Policy, use the Registry Editor.
Run regedit to open the Registry Editor and navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Now in the right pane, right-click and select DWORD (32-bit) to create the key. Name the new DWORD, DisableChangePassword. Double-click on it to edit its value. Now give it value data 1.
You may be required to restart your Windows computer.
Now find out how you can harden Windows Login Password Policy.
