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
- Utilize
Event Viewer or third-party tools for auditing user account
activities and tracking login events.
8. Regular Maintenance
- Regularly
review user accounts for inactive accounts or security risks.
Ensure that system updates and security patches
are applied to Windows devices.