Since Windows NT 3.x, when your user password is 14 days from expiration, you receive a Password Change Notification when logging on requesting you to change your password. This has been the default behavior up to now.

Windows 7’s password change notification setting is set to 5 days by default. If you wish to align your Windows 7 computers with others on the network, you can either modify the registry for the Windows 7 systems, or apply a local, or preferably, group policy object if these Windows 7 systems are members of an Active Directory domain.

Option 1: Modify the Registry

  • Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe)Navigate to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinlogonAdd or modify the following entry: PasswordExpiryWarning: REG_DWORDClick OK and quit Registry Editor

Option 2: Apply a Local or Group Policy Object

  • Modify the existing local computer policy, modify an existing group policy object, or create a new group policy object and apply it to the target OU containing the target computers.Navigate to the following path in the policy object Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security OptionsFind the entry: Interactive logon: Prompt user to change password before expiration Configure the attribute with the value that you require.

  • Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security OptionsFind the entry: Interactive logon: Prompt user to change password before expiration