Dell XPS 16 9640 Owner's Manual page 96

Table 37. BIOS Setup options—Passwords menu (continued)
Passwords
Owner Password
Strong Password
Password Configuration
Password Bypass
96 BIOS Setup
● The solid-state drive does not accept password unlock attempts after five
incorrect attempts to enter the drive password from the BIOS Setup. The
solid-state drive password must be reset for the new password unlock
attempts.
● The computer treats the solid-state drive as not available when the Esc key is
pressed at the drive password prompt.
● The solid-state drive password is not prompted when the computer resumes
from standby mode. When the solid-state drive is unlocked by the user before
the computer goes into standby mode, it remains unlocked after the computer
resumes from standby mode.
● If the computer and solid-state drive passwords are set to the same value, the
drive unlocks after the correct computer password is entered.
Dell Technologies recommends using a solid-state drive password to protect
unauthorized data access.
The Owner Password is typically used when a computer is loaned or leased,
and the end user sets their own computer or hard drive password. The Owner
Password can provide override access to unlock the computer when it is
returned. The Owner Password cannot be set using BIOS Setup. System lessors
are given a tool which enables them to configure the Owner Password.
The following rules and dependencies apply when the Owner Password is used -
● The owner password cannot be set when the administrator password is
already set.
● The owner password can be used in place of the administrator, computer, or
hard drive passwords.
NOTE: The solid-state drive password must have been set on the
computer with the owner password.
Dell Technologies recommends that only computer lessors use the owner
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 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.
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.
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 disabled.