How to manage user accounts and passwords on windows

Managing user accounts and passwords on Windows involves
configuring settings to ensure security and efficient access to systems. Here’s
a step-by-step guide to help you manage user accounts and passwords
effectively:

1. Creating and Managing User Accounts

Create
User Accounts:

Go
to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users
or Local Users and Groups.
Click
Add someone else to this PC or Add a user for local
accounts.
For
domain accounts, manage users through Active Directory or Azure AD.

Manage
User Account Types:

Administrator:
Full control over the computer.
Standard
User: Limited access with restrictions on installing software and
system settings.
Guest:
Temporary access with minimal privileges.

2. Managing Passwords

Set
Passwords:

Open
Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another
account or Change a password.
Select
the user account, then click Change the password.

Reset
Password:

If
a password is forgotten, use Reset Password options through:

Microsoft
account recovery (for online accounts).
Password
reset disk (if a reset disk was previously created).

3. Password Policies

Set
Password Complexity:

Open
Local Security Policy:

Press
Win + R, type secpol.msc, and press Enter.
Navigate
to Account Policies > Password Policy to enforce
complexity requirements, length, expiration, and account lockout
policies.

4. Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Activate
MFA:

Sign
in to a Microsoft account via Settings > Accounts > Access
work or school and enable MFA from there.

5. Using Active Directory

Manage
Users in Domain:

Use
Active Directory Users and Computers:

Press
Win + R, type dsa.msc, and press Enter.
Manage
user accounts, passwords, and group policies centrally for domain-joined
machines.

6. Password Storage & Encryption

Use BitLocker
for encrypting drives and securing sensitive data.
Ensure
passwords are not saved in plaintext and enforce secure password storage
practices.

7. Audit and Monitoring