How to Limit the Number of Login Attempts on Windows

Enhanced computer security: limit the number of login attempts to prevent brute-force cracking

Frequent password attempts increase the risk of computer hacking. To keep your data secure, limiting the number of login attempts is crucial. This article will introduce three ways to limit the number of login attempts. Before you start, you may want to think about whether you really need to limit the number of login attempts.

Why limit the number of login attempts?

Most users will set a login password for their computers to protect personal information and data security. However, hackers or malware may brute-force the login by trying passwords multiple times. Limiting the number of failed login attempts can effectively prevent this behavior.

When the number of attempts reaches the upper limit, your account will be locked until the lock time expires before it can be used again.

The following are three ways to limit the number of user login attempts:

Method 1: Use local group policy editor to restrict failed login attempts

The local Group Policy Editor allows you to configure many computer settings, including limiting the number of login attempts. The following three strategies can be modified:

Note: The local Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows Home. If you are using the Home version, skip to the next method.

Step 1: Press Win S and enter "Edit Group Policy" in the search box.

Step 2: Press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor window.

Step 3: Navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Account Lock Policy. You can find three policies: Account Lock Duration, Account Lock Threshold, and Reset Account Lock Counter.

Next, modify these strategies separately:

>> Modify the "Account Lock Threshold" policy

This policy determines the number of consecutive failed login attempts. When the number of attempts reaches the threshold and the password is incorrect, the account will be locked.

1. Double-click the Account Lock Threshold policy to open the Properties window.
2. Sets the number of invalid login attempts (between 0 and 999).
3. Click Apply > OK to save the changes.
4. Click "OK" in the prompt window. The system will automatically set the lock duration and reset time according to the number of times you set it, but you can also set it yourself.

The next two steps are optional. If you are satisfied with the lock duration and reset time that the system automatically sets, the settings are complete. If you want to adjust to your needs, continue reading.

>> Modify the "Account Lock Duration" policy

This policy determines how long the account is locked. The set lock duration should be greater than or equal to the reset time.

1. Double-click the Account Lock Duration policy.
2. Set the account lock time (between 0 and 99999).
3. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

>> Modify the "After Reset Account Lock Counter" policy

This policy determines how long it takes to wait to reset the failed login counter after a continuous failed login. The reset time should be less than or equal to the lock duration.

1. Double-click the "After Reset Account Lock Counter" policy.
2. Modify the time value and click "Apply" > "OK".

Method 2: Use the command prompt to limit the number of login attempts

Compared to modifying policies, using command prompts is more convenient and quick, but be careful when typing commands.

Step 1: Press Win R to open the run window.

Step 2: Enter cmd and press Ctrl Shift Enter to run the command prompt as administrator.

Step 3: Enter net accounts /lockoutthreshold:x and press Enter to limit the number of login attempts. Replace x with the value you want (between 0 and 999).

Method 3: Use plug-in to limit the number of retry

The last method is to use third-party tools. If you are not familiar with the above settings or are worried about operational errors, you can try using a safe and reliable plug-in, such as the "Limit Attempt Reloaded" plug-in.

Summarize

Windows system does not limit the number of login attempts by default. To prevent information leakage, it is highly recommended that you limit the number of login attempts.

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