Security policies on this PC are preventing you from changing this setting


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Fixed this already, but just a FYI as Google doesn't have this listed:

This appears in the Metro Control Panel under Users after I tried adding an Exchange account to the Mail app, and acknowledged the following security-related dialog without thinking.

With that setting enabled, your PC will lock itself after dimming the screen or after waking it from sleep - your Power Options settings have no effect here. Having your PC prompt you for your password after waking up or idling isn't particularly helpful if you're on a single user desktop at home.

Disabling it is simple but not particularly straight forward at first: go to the desktop Control Panel, User Accounts, and click "Reset Security Policies" on the left. That should do the trick.

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That's a security policy set in place because you've connected to an Exchange account that requires that policy be in place in order to use it. That's not something to fix...that's intended behavior.

Unless I'm not understanding something that you've said.

Is that policy set server-side?

In addition the policy remains even if you remove the Exchange accounts in question from the Mail app, or uninstall the Mail/Calendar/People/Messenger apps.

My point was, this policy seems a bit unnecessary for a non-portable single user desktop that rests at home, especially since the Mail app is the first non-web client to ask about this policy.

Yes, that policy is set server side. The same thing happens with all of my phones when I connect them to my work e-mail via Exchange. It's a way to prevent your work e-mails (and other items) from being read/used by anyone who walks up and tries to use the machine. It's fairly standard practice.

The policy will remain in effect after removal until you tell it to disable the setting. That's a trivial matter to take care of usually. :)

  • 2 months later...

Interesting... so it does continue to work after disabling the security policy.

Perhaps it'll bug you later to enforce it, else it stops syncing.

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