DOCUMENT:Q123479 08-AUG-2001 [crossnet] TITLE :Password Change to NT Server Returns "Password...too short.." PRODUCT :Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT Networking Issues PROD/VER:WINDOWS:95; winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:win31 win95 ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows for Workgroups - Microsoft Windows 3.1 - Microsoft Windows 95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you attempt to change your Windows NT domain password to a previously used password, while logging into a Windows for Workgroups workstation that logs onto a Windows NT domain, one of the following error messages appears: The password you specified is too short. You must use a longer Password. -or- Unable to change the password for Microsoft Networking because of the following error: The password is shorter than required. NOTE: This problem can also occur when you connect to a Windows NT 3.5 domain controller from the following client computers: - Microsoft Windows version 3.1 with Microsoft LAN Manager version 2.2b - Microsoft Windows 95 This problem may also occur when you connect to a Windows NT 3.51 or Windows NT 4.0 domain controller from the following client computer: - Microsoft Windows 95 CAUSE ===== The Windows NT server, responding as the domain controller, indicates that the password is not unique. The Windows for Workgroups workstation does not properly interpret the response. This situation occurs when the new password you attempt to use duplicates one of your previous passwords. WORKAROUND ========== When the error message noted above appears, use a unique password. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows for Workgroups version 3.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. MORE INFORMATION ================ If you attempt to change your password at a Windows NT workstation, and your new password does not meet the User Manager Account Policy Password Uniqueness setting, the following error message appears: Your password must be at least characters long. Your new password cannot be the same as any of your previous passwords. Type a password which meets these requirements in both text boxes. where is the minimum password length and is the number of previous password entries checked for password uniqueness. Additional query words: 3.11 uniqueness prodnt ====================================================================== Keywords : win31 win95 Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbWin95search kbWFWSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 Version : WINDOWS:95; winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.