How to Change User Policy in Windows 10

You can change user policies in Windows 10 primarily through the Local Security Policy Editor (secpol.msc) or the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) by navigating to the Computer Configuration section.

Policies in Windows 10 control various security settings, user behaviors, and system configurations. These are powerful tools typically used by administrators to enforce rules on how users can interact with the computer or network. The specific tool and method depend on your Windows 10 edition (Home editions generally don't include secpol.msc or gpedit.msc by default) and whether the computer is part of a domain.

For changing local policies on a single Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education PC, the Local Security Policy Editor (secpol.msc) is a common tool, and its navigation matches the provided reference.

Accessing and Modifying Policies

To change policies using the method described in the reference, you'll utilize the Local Security Policy Editor.

Prerequisites:

• You need administrator privileges on the Windows 10 computer.
• You are using a Windows 10 edition other than Home (like Pro, Enterprise, or Education).

Steps:

1. Open the Local Security Policy Editor:

   • Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
   • Type secpol.msc in the Run dialog box.
   • Click OK or press Enter.
   • If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.

2. Navigate to Security Settings:

   • In the left-hand console tree of the Local Security Policy window, expand Computer Configuration.
   • Expand Windows Settings.
   • Select Security Settings.

   This navigation path - Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings - is crucial for accessing the core policy categories.

3. Select the Policy Category to Edit:

   • Under Security Settings, you will see several folders containing different types of policies. Based on your needs, you will choose one of the following:
     • Account Policies: Select this to edit settings related to user accounts. This includes:
       • Password Policy: Defines password complexity, length, age, and history requirements.
       • Account Lockout Policy: Configures settings for locking out accounts after failed login attempts.
     • Local Policies: Select this to edit settings that apply locally to the computer. This includes:
       • Audit Policy: Determines which security events are logged (e.g., failed login attempts, object access).
       • User Rights Assignment: Grants or denies users and groups the right to perform specific tasks (e.g., log on locally, shut down the system).
       • Security Options: Configures various system-wide security settings (e.g., restricting anonymous access, requiring signing for network communications).

4. Modify Specific Policies:

   • Click on the desired sub-folder (e.g., Password Policy, User Rights Assignment).
   • In the right-hand pane, double-click on the specific policy you want to change.
   • Configure the setting in the policy's properties window according to your requirements.
   • Click Apply and then OK.

5. Close the Editor: Once you have made your changes, close the Local Security Policy Editor window.

Example: Changing Password Policy

Let's say you want to require passwords to be at least 8 characters long.

1. Follow steps 1-3, selecting Account Policies, then Password Policy.
2. In the right pane, double-click on the policy "Minimum password length".
3. Check the box next to "Define this policy setting".
4. Set the value to 8.
5. Click Apply and OK.

Policy Categories Explained

Here's a brief overview of the primary policy areas you can modify:

Policy Category	Description	Examples of Settings
Account Policies	Govern user account security settings.	Password complexity, lockout duration, failed attempts.
Local Policies	Affect the local computer and users accessing it.	Auditing events, user privileges, security options.
Audit Policy	Specifies which security events are tracked in the security log.	Auditing logons, object access, policy changes.
User Rights Assignment	Grants users/groups specific operational rights on the computer.	Shut down the system, log on locally, change the time.
Security Options	Miscellaneous security settings affecting system behavior.	Renaming the administrator account, restricting access.

Alternative: Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions also include the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc). This tool is more comprehensive as it includes policies under both Computer Configuration (which affect all users and the computer itself) and User Configuration (which affect only specific users regardless of the computer they log into, when used in a domain context, or locally on the user profile).

The navigation path Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings is also available in gpedit.msc and leads to the same set of policies found in secpol.msc. If you need to configure policies under User Configuration (e.g., restricting access to Control Panel for a specific local user), you would use gpedit.msc. However, the provided reference specifically points to the Computer Configuration path within Security Settings.

Remember that changes made via Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) or Local Group Policy (gpedit.msc) can be overridden by domain-level Group Policies if your computer is part of an Active Directory domain.

Changing policies requires careful consideration, as incorrect settings can impact system security or user functionality. Always ensure you understand the effect of a policy before modifying it.