NET ACCOUNTS

Updates the user accounts database and modifies password and logon requirements for all accounts.

Syntax

NET HELP ACCOUNTS

Displays the current settings for password, logon limitations, and domain information:

NET ACCOUNTS

Parameters

none.

Switches

/DOMAIN (NT3.1): Performs the operation on a domain controller of the current domain. Otherwise, the operation is performed on the local computer.
/FORCELOGOFF:{minutes | NO} (NT3.1): Sets the number of minutes a user has before being forced to log off when the account expires or valid logon hours expire. NO, the default, prevents forced logoff.
/MAXPWAGE:{days | UNLIMITED} (NT3.1): Sets the maximum number of days that a password is valid. No limit is specified by using UNLIMITED. /MAXPWAGE can't be less than /MINPWAGE. The range is 1-999; (1-49,710 days NT2003) the default is 90 days.
/MINPWAGE:days (NT3.1): Sets the minimum number of days that must pass before a user can change a password. A value of 0 sets no minimum time. The range is 0-999 (0-49,710 days NT2003); the default is 0 days. /MINPWAGE can't be more than /MAXPWAGE.
/MINPWLEN:length (NT3.1): Sets the minimum number of characters for a password. The range is 0-14 characters; (0-127 characters NT2003) the default is 6 characters.
/SYNC (NT3.1 NT3.5 ONLY): Synchronize the user accounts database (PDC and BDC).
/UNIQUEPW:number (NT3.1): Requires that a user's passwords be unique through the specified number of password changes. The maximum value is 24. The default is 5.

Related

NET USER

Notes

Two conditions are required in order for options to take effect:

The password and logon requirements are only effective if user accounts have been set up (use User Manager or the NET USER command)
The Net Logon service must be running on all servers in the domain that verify logon. Net Logon is started automatically when Windows starts

Examples

none.

Errorlevels

none.

Availability

External

Last Updated: 2006/12/01
Direct corrections or suggestions to: Rick Lively