Windows 8 Disable the Password Eye

How to Disable the Password Eye Feature

Windows 8 has a new feature to help people check they are typing the intended password.  Clicking on the 'Eye' is useful when, due to previous errors, this is your last chance before the account locks.

The problem is that security conscious users don't want the ability to reveal their password in clear text in any circumstances.

The solution is to configure a group policy called 'Do Not Display the Password Reveal Button'.

Windows 8 Password Eye Topics

• How To See the Plain Password
• Mission: Do Not Display the Password Eye
• Study What this Group Policy Achieves

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How To See the Plain Password

This is how to use the magic eye to reveal the password in plain text before you press 'Sign in'.  The reason why people want to disable this password behavior is they worry that snoopers looking over their shoulder could see what being typed.

The crucial technique is to press on the eye – and HOLD DOWN the left mouse button.  Now the 'Sign in' menu will display the password.

Mission: Do Not Display the Password Eye

This policy affects all programs that use a password dialog box in Windows 8.

Group Policy Editor Preliminaries

• Launch the Windows 8 Gpedit.msc snap-in.
• – From the Metro UI, type gpedit.msc.
• – Trap: remember the .msc file extension.

Locate: Do Not Display the Password Reveal Button

• Expand Gpedit's Computer Configuration (not the User section).
• Click on Administrative Templates.
• Scroll down to: Credential User Interface.
• Double-click 'Do Not Display the Password Reveal Button'.
• Think of the logic, and select: Do NOT display… Enabled.
• Click 'OK' and you should see this:

Note 1: You need to 'Sign out' then 'Sign in' again before this change takes effect, and the evil eye disappears.

Note 2: The result will be no 'Eye' appears when start typing in the password dialog box.

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Another Example of the Password Eye

If you observe this 'Sign in' example careful, you can see that when you click on the 'eye' the black and white colors reverse, and of course, the real password replaces the normal row of dots……

Please note that "hiding" the password using this group policy only provides security from someone looking over your shoulder.  Unless someone else is able to hold down the mouse, there is no security breach – in my view.

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Password Tips

To create an uncrackable password, sprinkle capitals and numerals in your word.  Many experts suggest incorporating dates, but I like house numbers, not my present dwelling, but where I lived when I was in college.

I often substitute zero for 'o' in the main word, however, password gurus also suggest using a $ sign in place of 's', and I always forget about 1 (one) for 'l' (the letter el).

Eri Stalis Password Law

My old fiend Eri says: The more complex your password, the more likely it will end in tears, and your account locks.

It's when you are in the last chance password salon that Windows 8's magic eye comes to your rescue.  It could help when you are capitaLising the wrong letter, or this particular keyboard is producing a @ instead of " (double quotes).

Passwords Not to Use Yourself

Here are the commonest passwords at the moment.  I hope you're not using these!

1. password 
2. 123456  (12345678) or (abc123)
3. qwerty
4. monkey 
5. letmein 
6. dragon 
7. 111111 
8. baseball 
9. iloveyou
10. trustno1

On the one hand, if you can do better than these passwords then hackers will target the above words, and not spend the effort needed to crack yours.  On the ther hand, if a friend is stuck, then suggest one of these and they may think you are psychic.

The Future of Password Logons

Apparently, the first finger-print logon was first suggested as long ago as 1962.  In 1995 I nearly gave up training job to make my fortune selling finger-print logons.  Needless to stay I have no regrets sticking with my day job.

These days retina scans are hailed as the messiah of secure logon.  This time around I get the feeling something is about to break in the world of password security, the question is which aspect of biometrics will provide the killer app?  Would you bet on finger print logon, retina scanning or face recognition?

Summary of: Windows 8 Disable The Password Eye Feature

In Windows 8 you can check that you are typing the correct password.  It's a life preserver in one more wrong guess means your account will be locked.

If you feel this is a security hazard then there is a group policy called 'Do Not Display the Password Reveal Button'.

Microsoft Windows 8 Group Policy Topics

• Windows 8 Gpedit.msc  • Windows 8 Group Policy Editor  • Windows 8 Group Policy Firewall

• Windows 8 Group Policy Preferences  • Windows 8 Remote Desktop Group Policy

• Windows 8 Config  • Windows 8 Family Safety  • Windows 8 Event Viewer  • No Auto Restart