Hello, and welcome…
Rick’s Daily Tech Tips Update for Monday, August 22, 2022
Topics covered in this issue…
• How to set a minimum password length for local Windows user accounts
• Why you should always redeem your gift cards ASAP
• Q&A: How can I change where Windows 10 saves new documents?
• Video: Check out this fantastic $10K tiny house
Today’s sponsor…
Digi-Key Electronics – We have the world’s largest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment.
Have something you’d like to tell 14,500+ engaged subscribers?
Click here to sponsor the next available issue.
Welcome, new subscribers….
You can make sure these updates keep landing in your Inbox by adding my email address to your Address Book or Contacts List. Click here for instructions.
Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Click here to subscribe.
Today’s quick tech tip….
How to set a minimum password length for local Windows user accounts
As you probably know by now, you can make any password more secure simply by making it longer.
In simple terms, the more characters a password has, the longer it will take for a password cracking tool to crack the password.
For example, a 6 character password takes longer to crack than a 5 character password. And a 7 character password is more secure still.
That’s why it’s a good idea to make your Windows login password as long as possible within the limits of practicality.
Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 enforce a minimum password length for user accounts that sign in with a Microsoft account. However, by default there is no minimum password length for local user accounts.
In fact, you don’t even have to choose a password at all with a local account if you don’t want to (the default minimum password length for local accounts is 0).
That being said, you can easily set a new minimum password length for all local user accounts on a given PC, resulting in the requirement that the user choose a password (they can no longer choose not to use one) that’s at least as long as the new minimum length.
You can choose any password length between 1 and 20 characters. I recommend setting the minimum length to 10 characters because that’s a good compromise between security and complexity.
A couple of quick side notes…
1 – In case you’re wondering, I don’t recommend the use of password managers. Take a few moments to read these posts and you’ll understand why. But don’t worry, there’s a simple, and very effective alternative…
2 – This post explains how to create passwords that are secure, yet easy to remember.
And now, back to the topic at hand…
It’s easy to set a minimum password length in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Just follow the steps below:
1 – Click the Start button, then type the letters cmd.
2 – Right-click on Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.
3 – Answer Yes in response to the “User Account Control” dialog.
4 – Copy and paste the following into the Command Prompt window (replace the “MinimumPassLength” part with the new password length):
net accounts /minpwlen:MinimumPassLength
For example, if you want to set the minimum password length to 10 characters you would put this into the Command Prompt window:
net accounts /minpwlen:10
4 – Press the Enter key.
Note: If you entered the command correctly you should should see the response “The command completed successfully.”
That’s all there is to it. From now on every local user account on this PC will be required to have a password, and that password must be at least as long as the minimum password length you selected above.
The latest from Rick’s Daily Tips Tech Blog…
• Why you should always redeem your gift cards ASAP
Waiting to redeem your gift cards could end up costing you.
• Q&A: How can I change where Windows 10 saves new documents?
This post has step-by-step directions.
• Click here to see today’s ‘Picture of the Day’.
Every morning I post a new photo that I find inspiring, intriguing, or just plain beautiful to look at. Jumpstart your day by checking it out.
Pro blogging tip…
Rick’s Daily Tips is hosted by InMotion Hosting. Click here to find out why.
Rick’s Daily Pick…
POWRUI 6-Outlet Surge Protector with 2 USB Charging Ports (#ad)
This little gem will convert a standard two-plug electrical outlet into a surge-protected 6-outlet power strip and 2-port USB charger.
No tools or electrical skills required – just plug it in and it’s ready to go.
Today’s post from ‘My Daily Smile’…
Video: Check out this fantastic $10K tiny house
It’s actually quite amazing for the price.
Tech news that caught my eye…
• Netflix’s ad-supported tier may have some commercial-free content
• Microsoft is teaching computers to understand ’cause and effect’
• Google’s planned search changes could upend the Internet
• Malicious PyPi packages turn Discord into password-stealing malware
• Another successful SpaceX launch deploys 53 more Starlink satellites
Wondering how you can help me keep doing what I’m doing?
1 – If you’d like to help support my work, you can do so by leaving me a tip.
Every penny of your tip will go towards my blog’s web hosting and other related fees, which are substantial.
2 – You can Forward this email to a friend along with a short note of recommendation. (Just click the “Forward” button or link.)
Rest assured that anything you can do to help me keep helping folks will be greatly appreciated.
Have a question, comment or suggestion? Hit the Reply button and reply to this email. I love hearing what you have to say…
Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse
https://www.RicksDailyTips.com