Windows 7 - Account Lockout - Unlock a Locked Out User Account

**Brink**

How to Unlock a Locked Out User Account in Windows 7

Information

Normally the account lockout duration security setting determines the number of minutes a locked out account remains locked out before automatically becoming unlocked. If the account lockout duration is set to 0 minutes, then a locked out user account will be locked out until an administrator manually unlocks that locked out user account.

This will show you how to manually unlock a user account that was locked out when it reached it's account lockout threshold of invalid logon attempts.

Warning

You will only be able to do this while logged in as an administrator.

EXAMPLE: Locked Out User Account
NOTE: This is the locked out message a user will get if they reach the account lockout threshold number of invalid logon attempts.

Here's How:

1. Open the Local Users and Groups manager.

2. In the left pane, select Users. (see screenshot below)

3. In the right pane under the Name column, double click on the locked out user account. (see screenshot above)

4. Uncheck the Account is locked out box, and click on OK. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: If the Account is locked out option is grayed out, then the selected user account is not locked out.

5. Close the Local Users and Groups manager.

That's it,
Shawn

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**BugOutMachine** · 05-06-2010

This is actually a great tip! Thank you for putting this in the Tutorial.

**Brink** · 05-06-2010

You're most welcome BOM. Thank you.

**Teofil** · 08-12-2010

This is a very nice explanation, BUT:

1. My computer is member in a Domain
2. A user account (local not from domain) is locked out
3. I tried all this and apparently works from local admin account, but in fact it doesn't... cause, next time I look into it is still checked! (even though I unchecked that box (Account is locked out).

Could it be because of Domain membership even though the user is local and I do things from the local admin?

Is there a solution, so that I can use that account again?
Thanks in advance!

**Brink** · 08-12-2010

Hello Teofil, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, the domain settings will override your local setting when you are connected to the domain. It will have to be set that way in the domain by the domain administrator.

**Teofil** · 08-12-2010

Thank you Brink for the reply. Can you help me with some advice about what to do in the Win server 2008 - which is the AD? Should I go to Active Dir Users and accounts->Computers->that certain station and Disable Account? (or reset Account?)... I am the only one in the office with "knowledge" of administrator and I am a little bit nervous to do things in AD since I do not understand much, but want to learn without harming other processes around. That computer does not need to be in AD... in fact I can add it again after that, but I am nervous.
I mean:
I only need to make that local account unlocked!

The policy, I manage to change from admin local through cmd prompt! (e.g. using cmd prompt: >net accounts lockoutthreshold :15)! it worked even thought was greyed in GUI!

Thanks for your help.

**Brink** · 08-12-2010

I'm afraid that I do not know much about Win Server 2008 on this either. You might consider posting a separate thread on this in the "Network & Sharing" forum section to hopefully get a solution for it.

**Teofil** · 08-12-2010

Thanks a lot, Brink!
I'll do that on that section.
Best wishes!

**Brink** · 08-12-2010

No problem. I hope that you get a solution soon for it.

midhunprp · 10-04-2010

great tip...........

Windows 7 - Account Lockout - Unlock a Locked Out User Account

Account Lockout - Unlock a Locked Out User Account

Account Lockout - Unlock a Locked Out User Account problems?