Password Complexity for Windows Server

When you are adding users to a Windows Server 2003 you receive a message
Active Directory
And the stop message:
Windows cannot set the password for <user> because: The password does not meet the password policy requirements. Check the minimum password length, password complexity and password history requirements.

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As an IT guy, you should know:
1: Computers need to be more secure.
2: Users don't want to deal with security.
        (More specifically they don't want to enter in difficult passwords.)

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By default Windows Server 2003 requires passwords to meet the following criteria for strong passwords.

• Has at least 6 characters
• Does not contain "Administrator" or "Admin"
• Contains characters from three of the following categories:
  • Uppercase letters (A, B, C, and so on)
  • Lowercase letters (a, b, c, and so on)
  • Numbers (0, 1, 2, and so on)
  • Non-alphanumeric characters (#, &, ~, and so on)

Caution: Loosening password restrictions decreases security.

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Select Domain Security Policy from Administrative Tools. (or Windows+R, dompol.msc)

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Click on Security Settings > Account Policies > Password Policy.
Right-click on Minimum password length in the right pane.
Click Properties from the context menu.

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Do not remove the check from the Define this policy setting checkbox!
Enter a new minimum password length. Entering a Zero (0) will remove the password requirement.
Click the OK button.

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Double-click on Passwords must meet complexity requirements in the right pane.

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Do not remove the check from the Define this policy setting checkbox!
Select the Disabled option.
(This will allow simpler passwords.)
Click the OK button.

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Close the Default Domain Security Settings window.

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Now, you need to put the new Password Policy into effect.
Click Start > Run...
Type cmd into the Open: input box.
Click the OK button.

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Type gpupdate /force at the Command Prompt.
Press the [Enter] key.
Type exit.
Press the [Enter] key.

Simple ! ; )

Windows 7 Shell Commands

 

Windows 7 Only
shell:Libraries
shell:MusicLibrary
shell:VideosLibrary
shell:OtherUsersFolder
shell:Device Metadata Store
shell:PublicSuggestedLocations
shell:DocumentsLibrary
shell:User Pinned
shell:UsersLibrariesFolder
shell:PicturesLibrary
shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts
shell:Ringtones
shell:CommonRingtones

Windows Vista & 7
shell:Common Programs
shell:GameTasks
shell:UserProfiles
shell:MyComputerFolder
shell:SyncSetupFolder
shell:DpapiKeys
shell:SamplePlaylists
shell:Favorites
shell:My Video
shell:SearchHomeFolder
shell:System
shell:CommonVideo
shell:SyncResultsFolder
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir
shell:Cookies
shell:Original Images
shell:CommonMusic
shell:My Pictures
shell:Cache
shell:Downloads
shell:CommonDownloads
shell:AppData
shell:SyncCenterFolder
shell:My Music
shell:ConflictFolder
shell:SavedGames
shell:InternetFolder
shell:Quick Launch
shell:SystemCertificates
shell:Contacts
shell:TreePropertiesFolder
shell:Profile
shell:Start Menu
shell:Common AppData
shell:PhotoAlbums
shell:ConnectionsFolder
shell:Administrative Tools
shell:PrintersFolder
shell:Default Gadgets
shell:ProgramFilesX86
shell:Searches
shell:Common Startup
shell:ControlPanelFolder
shell:SampleVideos
shell:SendTo
shell:ResourceDir
shell:ProgramFiles
shell:CredentialManager
shell:PrintHood
shell:MAPIFolder
shell:CD Burning
shell:AppUpdatesFolder
shell:Common Start Menu
shell:LocalAppDataLow
shell:Templates
shell:Gadgets
shell:Programs
shell:Recent
shell:SampleMusic
shell:Desktop
shell:CommonPictures
shell:RecycleBinFolder
shell:CryptoKeys
shell:Common Templates
shell:Startup
shell:Links
shell:OEM Links
shell:SamplePictures
shell:Common Desktop
shell:NetHood
shell:Games
shell:Common Administrative Tools
shell:NetworkPlacesFolder
shell:SystemX86
shell:History
shell:AddNewProgramsFolder
shell:Playlists
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86
shell:PublicGameTasks
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder
shell:Public
shell:Common Documents
shell:CSCFolder
shell:Local AppData
shell:Windows
shell:UsersFilesFolder
shell:ProgramFilesCommon
shell:Fonts
shell:Personal

 

Windows 7 Shortcuts

Wireless Networks pop-up
rundll32.exe van.dll,RunVAN

Advanced Restore
sdclt.exe /restorewizardadmin

Restore Files
sdclt.exe /restorewizard

Backup Location & Settings
sdclt.exe /configure

Add Network Location (wizard)
rundll32.exe shwebsvc.dll,AddNetPlaceRunDll

Indexing Options
control.exe srchadmin.dll

Notification Cache
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 5

Aero (Transparency) Off
Rundll32.exe DwmApi #104

Aero (Transparency) On
Rundll32.exe DwmApi #102

Welcome Center
rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter

Add/Remove Programs
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,0

Content Advisor
RunDll32.exe msrating.dll,RatingSetupUI

Control Panel
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL

Date and Time Properties
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL timedate.cpl

Display Settings
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL access.cpl,,3

Device Manager
RunDll32.exe devmgr.dll DeviceManager_Execute

Folder Options – File Types
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_Options 2

Folder Options – General
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 0

Folder Options – Search
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 2

Folder Options – View
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 7

Forgotten Password Wizard
RunDll32.exe keymgr.dll,PRShowSaveWizardExW

Hibernate
RunDll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState

Keyboard Properties
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @1

Lock Screen
RunDll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Mouse Properties
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @0

Map Network Drive
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL Connect

Network Connections
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL ncpa.cpl

Power Options
RunDll32.exe Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL powercfg.cpl

Regional Settings
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL intl.cpl,,3

Stored Usernames and Passwords
RunDll32.exe keymgr.dll,KRShowKeyMgr

System Properties: Advanced
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,4

System Properties: Automatic Updates
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,5

Taskbar Properties
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 1

User Accounts
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL nusrmgr.cpl

Windows Security Center
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL wscui.cpl

Windows – About
RunDll32.exe SHELL32.DLL,ShellAboutW

Unplug/Eject Hardware
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

Windows Firewall
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL firewall.cpl

Wireless Network Setup
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL NetSetup.cpl,@0,WNSW

Open Control Panel (All Items)
explorer.exe shell:::{21ec2020-3aea-1069-a2dd-08002b30309d}

Manage Wireless Networks
explorer.exe shell:::{1fa9085f-25a2-489b-85d4-86326eedcd87}

Sound Control Playback Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLmmsys.cpl

Sound Control Sounds Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLmmsys.cpl,,2

Sound Control Recording Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLmmsys.cpl,,1

Add/Remove Programs
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl

Add/Remove Windows Components
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,2

Set Program Access and Computer Defaults
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,3

People Near Me
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL collab.cpl

People Near Me Sign In Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL collab.cpl,,1

Screan Resolution
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl

Personalization
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl,,2

Screen Saver
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl,,1

Windows Firewall
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL firewall.cpl

Device Manager
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hdwwiz.cpl

Power Options
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL powercfg.cpl

Power Options Change Plan Settings
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL powercfg.cpl,,1

System Properties
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl

System Properties Hardware Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,2

System Properties Advanced Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,3

System Properties System Protection Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,4

System Properties Remote Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,5

Pen and Touch Tablet PC Settings
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL tabletpc.cpl

Pen and Touch Tablet PC Settings Flicks Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL tabletpc.cpl,,1

Pen and Touch Tablet PC Settings Handwriting Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL tabletpc.cpl,,2

Phone and Modem Options
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL telephon.cpl

Phone and Modem Options Modems Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL telephon.cpl,,1

Phone and Modems Options Advanced Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL telephon.cpl,,2

Date and Time
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL timedate.cpl

Date and Time Additional Clocks
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL timedate.cpl,,1

Action Center
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL wscui.cpl

Unplug/Eject Hardware
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

Internet Explorer Specific Commands
Delete Temporary Internet Files:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 8

Delete Cookies:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 2

Delete History:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 1

Delete Form Data:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 16

Delete Passwords:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 32

Delete All:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 255

Delete All + files and settings stored by Add-ons:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 4351

Miscellaneous Variables

Windows Directory
%WINDIR%
%SYSTEMROOT%

Hard Drive That Contains OS
%HOMEDRIVE%

Users Home Directory
%HOMEPATH%
%USERPROFILE%

Default Temporary Directory
%TEMP%
%TMP%

Program Files
%PROGRAMFILES%

Current Users Application Data Directory
%APPDATA%