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FGPP vs GPO in Active Directory

Written by Melvin MonachanPassword management1 min read

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  • What is the difference between FGPP and GPO in Active Directory (AD)?
  • Which one should you choose?
  • Implement custom password policies with ADSelfService Plus
  • People also ask

What is the difference between FGPP and GPO in Active Directory (AD)?

Before the introduction of fine-grained password policies (FGPPs) in Windows Server 2008, administrators had to use Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to implement a uniform password policy across the entire domain. As organizations grew and the need for customized password policies increased, FGPPs were introduced. FGPPs are known for their ability to implement different password policies to different user groups within the same domain.

The comparison table below explores how FGPPs and GPOs differ in their capabilities.

FGPPs GPOs
FGPPs can be applied to specific user groups in a domain. GPOs can be applied only at the domain-wide level.
FGPPs supports customizing the password rules to satisfy the password security requirements of different user groups in a domain. GPOs allows you to set up only a single password complexity rule that must be followed by all the users on a domain-wide level, irrespective of their requirements.
FGPPs supports configuring different password expiration periods and account lockout policies for different user groups in a domain. GPOs allows you to set only one password expiration period and one account lockout policy, which must be followed by all the user groups in a domain.
The domain functional level must be either Windows Server 2008 or higher. All domain functional levels support the configuration of GPOs.

Which one should you choose?

FGPPs GPOs
Flexibility
Provides enhanced flexibility by allowing the configuration of different password policies across different user groups in a single domain. Not flexible, as a single password policy is to be followed across all the user groups in a domain.
Management
If you have a complex user environment with multiple variations in password requirements, FGPPs would be a better choice. FGPPs allows tailoring the password requirements for specific user groups, offering enhanced customization. However, managing FGPPs can be complex, as administrators must handle multiple policies for different user groups, which increases administrative overhead. If you have a simple user environment with limited variation in password requirements, GPOs would be a better choice. GPOs offer a straightforward approach by applying a uniform policy across the domain. This makes management easier as administrators only need to manage a single domain-wide policy, resulting in less administrative overhead.
Application
FGPPs are suitable for organizations enforcing different password policies to different user groups, especially those following the principle of least privilege. GPOs are suitable for those organizations using a one-size-fits-all approach. This ensures a consistent password policy across all the user groups.

Implement custom password policies with ADSelfService Plus

ADSelfService Plus is an identity security solution with MFA, SSO, and password management capabilities. It provides a Password Policy Enforcer feature that allows administrators to enforce custom password policies that seamlessly integrate with AD's built-in password policies. These custom policies offer more granular control than AD natively provides, including intricate settings such as restrictions on custom dictionary words, palindromes, and character repetitions. In addition, ADSelfService Plus integrates with Have I Been Pwned to prevent your users from using breached passwords.

Enforce stringent password policies with ADSelfService Plus
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People also ask

What is the FGPP policy in Active Directory?

Fine-grained password policies (FGPPs) in AD provides administrators with the ability to create and enforce customized password policies for different user groups within a domain.

What is the difference between a GPO and a fine-grained password policy?

The main difference between them is that GPOs allows you to set up only a single password policy that must be followed by all the users in a domain, irrespective of their password security needs. However, FGPPs overcome this limitation by allowing you to apply different password policies to meet the password security requirements of different user groups in a domain.

Does a FGPP override the default domain policy?

Yes, a FGPP overrides the default domain policy when users or groups already have an active, enforced FGPP applied to them.

What is the full form of FGPP?

FGPP in Windows Active Directory stands for fine-grained password policy.

Can you apply an FGPP to an OU?

FGPPs cannot be directly applied to OUs as they are not security principals. However, you can create a shadow group (i.e., a global security group with the members of an OU mapped to it) and then add the members of the OU to this newly created shadow group. Once the shadow group has been created and the OU members added to it, you can then apply the FGPP to this shadow group.

Author details

Melvin Monachan

IAM specialist, ManageEngine

Melvin is a passionate IAM specialist at ManageEngine, always seeking to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of identity and access management. Outside of professional life, he loves to research and is constantly exploring new innovations in the IAM space to sharpen his expertise.

Read other blogs by Melvin:

What is FGPP precedence in Active Directory? Password management best practices

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Related features
Self-service password reset  Web-based domain password change  Password policy enforcer  Password expiration notifications  Password synchronization  Cached credentials update  
Related topics
What is password security?  What is FGPP?  What is FGPP precedence in Active Directory?  Password-based cyberattacks   Passkey vs. password  
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