Windows Server 2019 passwords for the built-in Administrator account must be changed at least every 60 days.

Severity	Group ID	Group Title	Version	Rule ID	Date	STIG Version
medium	V-205657	SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044	WN19-00-000020	SV-205657r1153431_rule	2025-11-19	3

Description
The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the password. The built-in Administrator account is not generally used and its password might not be changed as frequently as necessary. Changing the password for the built-in Administrator account on a regular basis will limit its exposure. For domain-joined systems, Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password.

Description

The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the password. The built-in Administrator account is not generally used and its password might not be changed as frequently as necessary. Changing the password for the built-in Administrator account on a regular basis will limit its exposure. For domain-joined systems, Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password.

ℹ️ Check
If there are no enabled local Administrator accounts, this is Not Applicable. Review the password last set date for the enabled local Administrator account. On the stand alone or domain-joined server: Open "PowerShell". Enter "Get-LocalUser \| Where-Object {$_.SID -like "*500"} \| ForEach-Object ($_.PasswordLastSet){"$($_.Name) password is: $([int]((Get-Date) - $_.PasswordLastSet).TotalDays) days old"}". If the "PasswordLastSet" date is greater than "60" days old for the local Administrator account for administering the computer, this is a finding. Verify LAPS is configured and operational. If the system is a stand alone member server, the LAPS portion of this requirement is Not Applicable. Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> LAPS >> Password Settings >> Set to enabled. Password Complexity, large letters + small letters + numbers + special, Password Length 14, Password Age 60. If not configured as shown, this is a finding. Verify LAPS Operational logs >> Event Viewer >> Applications and Services Logs >> Microsoft >> Windows >> LAPS >> Operational. Verify LAPS policy process is completing. If it is not, this is a finding.

ℹ️ Check

If there are no enabled local Administrator accounts, this is Not Applicable. Review the password last set date for the enabled local Administrator account. On the stand alone or domain-joined server: Open "PowerShell". Enter "Get-LocalUser | Where-Object {$_.SID -like "*500"} | ForEach-Object ($_.PasswordLastSet){"$($_.Name) password is: $([int]((Get-Date) - $_.PasswordLastSet).TotalDays) days old"}". If the "PasswordLastSet" date is greater than "60" days old for the local Administrator account for administering the computer, this is a finding. Verify LAPS is configured and operational. If the system is a stand alone member server, the LAPS portion of this requirement is Not Applicable. Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> LAPS >> Password Settings >> Set to enabled. Password Complexity, large letters + small letters + numbers + special, Password Length 14, Password Age 60. If not configured as shown, this is a finding. Verify LAPS Operational logs >> Event Viewer >> Applications and Services Logs >> Microsoft >> Windows >> LAPS >> Operational. Verify LAPS policy process is completing. If it is not, this is a finding.

✔️ Fix
Change the enabled local Administrator account password at least every 60 days. For domain-joined systems, Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password. More information is available at: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/by-popular-demand-windows-laps-available-now/ba-p/3788747 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/laps/laps-overview#windows-laps-supported-platforms-and-azure-ad-laps-preview-status

✔️ Fix

Change the enabled local Administrator account password at least every 60 days. For domain-joined systems, Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password. More information is available at: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/by-popular-demand-windows-laps-available-now/ba-p/3788747 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/laps/laps-overview#windows-laps-supported-platforms-and-azure-ad-laps-preview-status