Dell Alienware x16 R2 Owners Manual - Page 118

Admin Setup Lockout, Admin Password Changes

Page 118 highlights

Table 39. System setup options-Passwords menu (continued) Passwords Dell Technologies recommends that only computer lessors use the owner password. Strong Password The Strong Password feature enforces stricter rules for administrator, owner, and computer passwords. When enabled, the following rules are enforced ● The minimum length of the password is set to eight characters. ● The password is required to include at least one upper case and one lower case character. NOTE: These requirements do not affect the hard drive password. By default, the Strong Password option is enabled. For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the Strong Password option enabled as it requires passwords to be more complex. Password Configuration The Password configuration page includes several options for changing the requirements of BIOS passwords. You can modify the minimum and maximum length of the passwords and require passwords to contain certain character classes (upper case, lower case, digit, special character). Dell Technologies recommends setting the minimum password length to at least eight characters. Password Bypass The Password Bypass option allows the computer to reboot from the operating system without entering the computer or hard drive password. If the computer has already booted to the operating system, it is presumed that the user has already entered the correct computer or hard drive password. NOTE: This option does not remove the requirement to enter the password after shutting down. By default, the Password Bypass option is enabled. For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the Password Bypass option enabled. Password Changes Allow Non-Admin Password Changes The Allow Non-Admin Password Changes option in BIOS setup allows an end user to set or change the computer or hard drive passwords without entering the administrator password. This gives an administrator control over the BIOS settings but enables an end user to provide their own password. By default, the Allow Non-Admin Password Changes option is disabled. For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the Allow NonAdmin Password Changes option disabled. Non-Admin Setup Changes The Non-Admin Setup Changes option allows an end user to configure the wireless devices without requiring the administrator password. By default, the Non-Admin Setup Changes option is disabled. For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the Non-Admin Setup Changes option disabled. Admin Setup Lockout The Admin Setup Lockout option prevents an end user from even viewing the BIOS setup configuration without first entering the administrator password (if set). By default, the Admin Setup Lockout option is disabled. For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the Admin Setup Lockout option disabled. Recovery Password The Recovery Password can be used when a system owner forgets the administrator, system, or hard drive password. You can get an unlock code from Dell Support over 118

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Table 39. System setup options—Passwords menu (continued)
Passwords
Dell Technologies recommends that only computer lessors use the owner password.
Strong Password
The Strong Password feature enforces stricter rules for administrator, owner, and
computer passwords.
When enabled, the following rules are enforced -
The minimum length of the password is set to eight characters.
The password is required to include at least one upper case and one lower case
character.
NOTE:
These requirements do not affect the hard drive password.
By default, the
Strong Password
option is enabled.
For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the
Strong
Password
option enabled as it requires passwords to be more complex.
Password Configuration
The Password configuration page includes several options for changing the
requirements of BIOS passwords. You can modify the minimum and maximum length
of the passwords and require passwords to contain certain character classes (upper
case, lower case, digit, special character).
Dell Technologies recommends setting the minimum password length to at least eight
characters.
Password Bypass
The
Password Bypass
option allows the computer to reboot from the operating
system without entering the computer or hard drive password. If the computer has
already booted to the operating system, it is presumed that the user has already
entered the correct computer or hard drive password.
NOTE:
This option does not remove the requirement to enter the password after
shutting down.
By default, the
Password Bypass
option is enabled.
For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the
Password
Bypass
option enabled.
Password Changes
Allow Non-Admin Password Changes
The
Allow Non-Admin Password Changes
option in BIOS setup allows an end
user to set or change the computer or hard drive passwords without entering the
administrator password. This gives an administrator control over the BIOS settings but
enables an end user to provide their own password.
By default, the
Allow Non-Admin Password Changes
option is disabled.
For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the
Allow Non-
Admin Password Changes
option disabled.
Non-Admin Setup Changes
The
Non-Admin Setup Changes
option allows an end user to configure the wireless
devices without requiring the administrator password.
By default, the
Non-Admin Setup Changes
option is disabled.
For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the
Non-Admin
Setup Changes
option disabled.
Admin Setup Lockout
The
Admin Setup Lockout
option prevents an end user from even viewing the BIOS
setup configuration without first entering the administrator password (if set).
By default, the
Admin Setup Lockout
option is disabled.
For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the
Admin Setup
Lockout
option disabled.
Recovery Password
The Recovery Password can be used when a system owner forgets the administrator,
system, or hard drive password. You can get an unlock code from Dell Support over
118