Windows Server 2025 Trust Relationship Failures Post-Upgrade

2025 Trust Relationship KB ID 0001917

Problem

Following a full upgrade of all domain controllers (DCs) to Windows Server 2025, organisations may experience trust relationship failures between domain-joined workstations and the domain. This issue predominantly affects clients running Windows 10/11 versions up to 23H2. Notably, environments retaining at least one older DC do not encounter this problem.

Symptoms

  • Users unable to log in to their workstations.

  • Event ID 4771 logged in the Security event log: “Kerberos pre-authentication failed.”

  • Access to domain resources is denied.

Solution : 2025 Trust Relationship

In Active Directory, each computer account maintains a secure channel with the domain, utilising a password that changes every 30 days by default. Windows Server 2025 introduces changes that interfere with this password change process. Specifically, client devices are unable to update their machine account passwords, leading to trust relationship failures. The exact mechanism causing this issue remains under investigation.

2025 Trust Relationship Temporary Workaround

To prevent the issue from affecting additional machines, implement the following Group Policy settings:

On Domain Controllers:

  • Navigate to
Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options
  • Policy: Domain controller: Refuse machine account password changes

  • Setting: Enabled

2025 Trust Relationship issues DC GPO

On Domain Members:

  • Navigate to
Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options
  • Policy: Domain member: Maximum machine account password age

  • Setting: 0

2025 Trust Relationship issues Computert GPO

Note: This is a temporary measure. Revert these settings once a permanent fix or update is available.This composmises machine securiy and is a work around only.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Windows: ‘Trust Relationship Failed’

roken trust relationship between a domain-joined device and its domain due to secure channel issues

Author: PeteLong

Share This Post On

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *