Microsoft KB Archive/269236

= Changes are not applied when you change the password policy =

Article ID: 269236

Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

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This article was previously published under Q269236



SYMPTOMS
When you change the password policy, the changes are not applied as expected.



CAUSE
This issue can occur in either of the following scenarios:
 * The Block Policy Inheritance option is enabled on the Domain Controllers organizational unit.
 * The password policy is not set in the Default Domain policy.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, disable the Block Policy Inheritance option on the Domain Controllers organizational unit:  Start the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in. Right-click the Domain Controllers organizational unit, click Properties, and then click to clear the Block Policy Inheritance check box. On the domain controllers, run the following command:

secedit /refreshpolicy machine_policy /enforce



If this issue occurs because you did not set password policy in the Default Domain policy, set all password policies in the Default Domain policy.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
In Windows 2000, password policies are read-only at the domain level. The policy must be applied to the domain controllers for the policy to be applied. If you initiate a password change for a domain password from anywhere in the domain, the change actually occurs on a domain controller.

Additional query words: complex password enforce history maximum minimum age length must meet complexity requirements reversible encryption

Keywords: kbprb kbui KB269236

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