Microsoft has enabled a feature in Windows 11/10 with which the user has to answer some security questions if he wants to reset the local user account password. This feature sure does bring a certain amount of security from illegal logins. But at times, it might be irritating for some people, as it takes a longer time to create new local user accounts. We have already seen how to skip Security Questions when setting up Local User Account in Windows 11/10 and how to disable Security Questions in Windows using a PowerShell Script. Today we will see how to Turn On or Off Security Questions using the Windows Registry or Group Policy.
Turn On or Off Security Questions in Windows 11/10
We will be taking a look at two methods that will show us how to turn on or off Security Questions on Windows 11/10-
- Using the Registry Editor.
- Using the Group Policy Editor.
Before you begin, I recommend that you create a System Restore Point first.
1] Using the Registry Editor
Hit the WINKEY + R button combination to launch the Run utility, type in regedit and hit Enter. Once Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
Now, right click on the right side panel and click on New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Set the name of this newly created DWORD as NoLocalPasswordResetQuestions.
Double click on the newly created DWORD and set its value as 1 This will disable the Security Questions.
A value of 0 will disable Security Questions.
Exit the Registry Editor and then reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.
2] Using the Group Policy Editor
Hit the WINKEY + R button combination to launch the Run utility, type in gpedit.msc and hit Enter. Once Group Policy Editor opens, navigate to the following setting-
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Credential User Interface
Now, on the right side panel and double click on Prevent the use of security questions for local accounts and set the radio button to Enabled for it.
If you turn this policy setting on, local users won’t be able to set up and use security questions to set up and use security questions to reset their passwords.
This will turn off the Security Questions. Setting the radio button as Disabled or Not Configured will turn on the Security Questions.
Exit the Group Policy Editor and then reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.
How did that work out for you?
