Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide

The Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide (V2 R11) has 257 STIG checks. New to STIG checklists? Read What is a STIG checklist?, CKL vs CKLB, and STIG vs SCAP benchmark.

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Severity

Version

V2 · R11

CurrentPublished Wed Sep 30 2026

The built-in Microsoft password complexity filter must be enabled.

Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Assessment Title

Rule Text

The built-in Microsoft password complexity filter must be enabled.

Description

Discussion Text

The use of complex passwords increases their strength against guessing and brute-force attacks. This setting configures the system to verify that newly created passwords conform to the Windows password complexity policy.

New to STIG checklists? Read What is a STIG checklist? and CKL vs CKLB.

Objective

V-253304

Rule

SV-253304r1051045_rule

Severity

medium

Rule Version

WN11-AC-000040

Documentable

false

IA Controls

NIST SP 800-53

Rev 5

Assessment Procedure

Check Text

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run "gpedit.msc".

Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy.

If the value for "Password must meet complexity requirements" is not set to "Enabled", this is a finding.

If the site is using a password filter that requires this setting be set to "Disabled" for the filter to be used, this would not be considered a finding.

Implementation Procedure

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Password must meet complexity requirements" to "Enabled".

STIG check 46 of 257 in the Microsoft Windows 11 STIG checklist

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