Change/Disable Windows XP password expiration

Login passwords in Windows XP have an expiry time. Here's how to change the setting (to change the password settings you have to log on to an account that has Administrator privileges):

Click on the Start button and select Run from the Start menu.

In the Run dialog enter:

    mmc

and press the Enter key. The MMC (Microsoft Management Console) utility will start.

In the "Console1" window, click on 'File', and select 'Add/Remove Snap-in...' from the drop-down menu.

In the Add/Remove dialog box click the 'Add...' button.

 Select 'Group Policy' from the list and click the 'Add' button.

In the "Select Group Policy Object" window, press 'Finish'.

In the "Add Standalone Snap-in" window, press 'Close'.

In the "Add/Remove Snap-in" window, press 'OK'.

In the "Console1" window, you will see a "Local Computer Policy" icon.

In the "Console1" window, expand the settings in the left window (similar to opening folders in Windows Explorer by double-clicking on the name or clicking on the '+' icon to the left of the name) as follows:

    'Computer Configuration'

       'Windows Settings'

          'Security Settings'

             'Account Policies'

Highlight 'Password Policy' in the left window by clicking on it.

To change the value, double click on "Maximum Password Age" in the right window. A new dialog box will open where you can change the value. You can enter a number from 1 to 999 days; this is the number of days that a password will be valid, and after that number you will be forced to change your password. You'll start receiving a password change notification starting 14 days prior to the expiration date whenever you log in to Windows XP. However, if you would prefer your password to be permanent and never require changing, enter 0 in this field. Click the 'Apply' and then 'OK' button to save your change.

In the "Console1" window, click 'File' and 'Save' (a default file name will be suggested; press 'Save' to accept this name).

In the "Console1" window, click 'File' and 'Exit'.