Password Complexity Requirements in Windows Server 2003 or 2008 requires user following some strict rules whenever resetting a new password for an account or creating new account. Down here are list of minimum requirements needed when running the task:
1. Password doesn’t contain parts of user name or user’s full name exceeding 2 consecutive characters.
2. At least 6 character length password must be created.
3. Password must consist of 4 categories character:
- English uppercase (A to Z)
- English lowercase (a to z)
- Numbers (0 to 9)
- Symbols (!, @, #, $, %, ^, etc.)
How to Bypass/Disable password complexity requirements in Windows Server 2003/2008
1. In your Start menu run box key in gpedit.msc to open Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to:
Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Account Policies -> Password Policy
3. Double click Password must meet complexity requirements in the right panel and in the property windows choose Disable.
4. Here you can also set the expiry time of your password for example never expires by going to Maximum password age and set the option to 0.
5. Type cmd in your start menu run box for Command Prompt.
6. Run the command gpupdate /force to refresh your policy.
7. Restart your computer for the change to take place.
