Is there a way to add a password strength checker for visual display for the end user when changing passwords in Windows 7? Is there an add-on, perhaps? or a 3rd party product? Thanks!Jason Yates

You can deploy a password strategy using domain or local group policies. Have a look to this Microsoft article named "Create strong passwords". Just follow what I said and you will not need a checker. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration

Hi, I am just writing to check the status of this thread. Was the information that Mr X provided in previous reply helpful to you? Do you have any further questions or concerns? Please feel free to let us know. Alex Zhao TechNet Subscriber Support in forum. If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.comPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Enforcing a policy isn't quite the same as a password checker. Creating a policy enforces a set of rules (which is good) but isn't user friendly (message isn't nice and pretty with information). In fact, I noticed that the link you provided includes a web-based password checker which I find ironic in regards to your reply - telling me I don't need one then providing a link to one :) . However, checking a password on a website using your link, then setting it in Windows isn't practical. So, I'm asking the community here if there is a Windows shell version that provides visual feedback when setting a password or if there's a 3rd party tool perhaps that adds ones to the shell. ThanksJason Yates

Keys to password strength: length and complexity An ideal password is long and has letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers. Whenever possible, use at least 14 characters or more. The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. Use the entire keyboard, not just the letters and characters you use or see most often. This is the intersting part for me. If you create a password policy using what is mentioned, you will be sure that your users will use strong passwords => You don't need a checker. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration

Hi, Based on my experience, Windows 7 does not include a visual password strength checker natively. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know. Alex Zhao TechNet Subscriber Support in forum. If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.comPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.