Creating an Account Lockout Policy

To create an account lockout policy:

1. Select the Start button on the lower, left hand side of the screen.


2. Select Settings, then select Control Panel.


3. In the Control Panel window, select Administrative Tools.


4. In the Administrative Tools window, double-click Local Security Policy.


5. Double-click Account Policies.


6. Double-click Account Lockout Policy. This will display three options: Account Lockout Duration, Account Lockout Threshold and Reset Account Lockout Counter.


7. Double-click Account Lockout Duration. This option sets the number of minutes the account will be locked out. One day (1440 minutes) is a good option here. Set your preferred value, then click OK.


8. Double-click Account Lockout Threshold. This option sets the number of wrong guesses someone gets before the account is locked down. Set this value between three and five, then click OK.


9. Double-click Reset Account Lockout Counter After. This option sets the number of minutes before the counter of wrong password attempts is reset. For example, if you set this value to 60 minutes and the above value to three, then three wrong password attempts in one hour will lock out the account. Set a preferred value, then click OK.


10. Close the Local Security Settings window.