Member Avatar for Nickair

Hello,

So I have been searching the internet for an answer to this. I know it is possible but everything i have found says otherwise. I want to set up a windows account that will accept 2 different passwords.

I have seen this in person work but do not know how. Lots of posts i have found have people complaining about how there is no point but i have to disagree.

So if anyone can explain to me how to do this i would appreciate it.

Nick

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Short answer: Windows doesn’t have a built-in switch that gives a single user two independent, active passwords — the system keeps one credential verifier per account — but there are a few common situations that make it look like “two passwords” worked. As suspected, the usual account storage model is the reason; see the Microsoft notes on the SAM database for background. (support.microsoft.com)

What you probably saw (common explanations):

  • A local account and a domain account that share the same username but have different passwords — they are different accounts that can look identical at the logon screen unless you explicitly specify the local machine (for example with .\username). (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Cached domain credentials: domain-joined machines cache prior logons so an old password can still let you sign in when the DC is unreachable, which can look like two different passwords working. (learn.microsoft.com)

Other possibilities: Windows supports multiple authentication pathways (smart card, PIN/biometric via credential providers, or a third-party credential provider). Those methods authenticate the same user account with a different secret (PIN/PKI) rather than giving the account two passwords; admins can also install custom providers that change logon behavior. If you saw this on Windows 7, smart-card or custom credential code is a plausible cause. (learn.microsoft.com)

Quick checks to reproduce or diagnose (run from the machine in question):

whoami
net user %USERNAME%
net user %USERNAME% /domain

If whoami shows DOMAIN\user then you used domain credentials; compare net user vs net user /domain to see local vs domain entries, and try forcing a local logon with .\username on the logon screen. Those commands are the simplest way to confirm which account actually authenticated. (learn.microsoft.com)

If you want, note the exact OS (you mentioned Windows 7) and whether the PC was joined to a domain — that narrows which of these explanations fits best.

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Member Avatar for oalee

This is the first time I've heard of this and I myself don't think it's practical. I'm saying this not because I think it's impossible to do but rather it would break the main purpose of having a Password in the first place. I can imagine a number of inconsistencies that will occur if this was the case.

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Please provide additional information to clarify this. I've been working with Microsoft networking since '96, and never heard of an account with two passwords. Passwords are typically stored as a hash value in the security account manager database. I don't see how it would be possible.

Are you sure you are not confused with a situation like have the same user ID created on a. Local computer and having that same user ID as a domain account?

Member Avatar for Andy456

No , it dont be possible for having two passwords for one accout.I heared for the first time this.

Regards.
Andy.

Member Avatar for Nickair

Jorge I am sure its not having the same ID's for a local and domain account. I think what i saw was something different but seemed like there were two passwords for the same windows 7 account. Is there a way to somehow have multiple accounts sharing the same filesystem, desktop and other settings?

Member Avatar for caperjack

I think what i saw was something different but seemed like there were two passwords for the same windows 7 account. Is there a way to somehow have multiple accounts sharing the same filesystem, desktop and other settings?

it is not possible with windows never was possible to my knowledge. .it isn't even logical ,what would be the point in have 2 different passwords to the same acct , if it was just going to acces the same filesystem, desktop and other settings

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Is there a way to somehow have multiple accounts sharing the same filesystem, desktop and other settings?

It is possible for multiple accounts to share the same profile but that's not practical, nor would this be a common implementation since the purpose of a profile is to create an Independent storage of user settings.

With regards to sharing of file system, all users that access the same volume share the same file system. If the file system is an NTFS file system, you can manage who has access to what by assigning permissions.

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