Change the password for the default content access account (SharePoint Server 2010)

Applies to: SharePoint Server 2010

Use this procedure to change the password for the default content access account. The default content access account is the account that is used to crawl content. This account can be overridden by specifying a different account by using a crawl rule. This account must have the Read permission for the content that the account is crawling. It is a best practice to limit the account's access to the content to read-only. If the account password expires and is not updated, the search feature will be unable to crawl content.

Only change the default content access account's password if it has been changed in Active Directory. The credentials that you enter are checked against those on the domain controller. If you enter the new password before the password is changed on the domain controller, an error will result and the settings will not be changed.

Follow these steps to configure the password for the default content access account on the computer that is running the SharePoint Central Administration Web site.

To change the password for the default content access account

1. Verify that the user account that is performing this procedure is a service application administrator for the Search service application for which you want to change the default content access account.

2. In Central Administration, in the Application Management section, click Manage service applications.

3. On the Manage Service Applications page, click the Search service application for which you want to change the default content access account.

4. On the Search Service Application: Search Administration page, in the System Status section, locate the default content access account, which is in the form Domain\UserName.

5. Click the default content access account name. The Default Content Access Account dialog box appears.

6. Type the new password in the Password box, and then click OK.