Audit account management
Verified with Windows Security Options 25H2 — updated on July 25, 2026
Security policy
This is a Security Options policy (Windows Settings > Security Settings), applied by the security engine — not an Administrative Template (ADMX). In GPMC/gpedit it is configured under Local Policies > Security Options.
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Audit Policy Description
This security setting determines whether to audit each event of account management on a computer. Examples of account management events include: A user account or group is created, changed, or deleted. A user account is renamed, disabled, or enabled. A password is set or changed. If you define this policy setting, you can specify whether to audit successes, audit failures, or not audit the event type at all. Success audits generate an audit entry when any account management event succeeds. Failure audits generate an audit entry when any account management event fails. To set this value to No auditing, in the Properties dialog box for this policy setting, select the Define these policy settings check box and clear the Success and Failure check boxes. Default values on Client editions: User Account Management: Success Computer Account Management: No Auditing Security Group Management: Success Distribution Group Management: No Auditing Application Group Mana
Local security policy
AuditAccountManage This setting has no registry key. It is stored in the local security database (LSA) and is configured through the Group Policy console or secpol.msc.