How to Set Account Lockout Duration for Locked Out User Accounts in windows 8.1/8/7

Account lockout duration security setting determines the number of minutes an account locked out threshold for invalid logon remains locked out. In previous article we have introduced what account lockout threshold security is and how to set account lockout threshold for invalid logon in windows 8.1/8/7. Now, let's take a look at how to set how many minutes you want for the account lockout duration to be in Windows 8.1/8/7.

Below I list 2 easy methods for you to set account lockout duration for locked out user accounts. Read on, please.

Method 1: Set Account Lockout Duration through Local Security Policy

Local Security Policy is only available is the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions in Windows 7 and in the Pro and Enterprise editions in Windows RT, 8, and 8.1.

• Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type secpol.msc, press Enter. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.
• In the left pane, expand Account Policies, and click on Acount Lockout Policy. In the right pane, double click on Account lockout duration.
  
• Type in a number between 0 and 99999 for how many minutes you want the user account to be locked out, and then click on OK. If you set the account lockout duration to 0, the account will be locked out until an administrator manually unlocked the locked computer.
  
  Note: The account lockout duration must be greater than or equal to the reset account lockout counter after time. Or you will get the prompt below:
  
• After you set the number, close the Local Security Policy editor.

Method 2: Set Account Lockout Duration through Elevated Command Prompt

• Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type Command Prompt –> Right Click Command Prompt –> Click "Run as administrator".
• In the elevated command prompt; then type net accounts and press enter.
  
• In the command prompt, type the command below and press Enter. The reset account lockout counter after time must be less than or equal to the account lockout duration time.
  net accounts /lockoutwindow:(0-99999)
  
• In the command prompt, type the command below and press Enter.
  net accounts /lockoutduration:(0-99999)
  0 and 99999 for how many minutes you want the user acount to be locked out for until automatically unlocked.
  
• Close the elevated command prompt.

That's all for how to set account lockout duration for locked out user accounts in Windows 8.1/8/7. If you have any other questions, please be free to tell us.