Don't the service accounts make this issue moot? I think they came about in 2012. I've used them in a couple of SQL 2014 setups now. They don't need a password and they seem to work really well. I'm surprised no one has mentioned them to the point where I wonder what I might not be understanding from all this. Someone feel free to enlighten me if I am, but if not, why wouldn't you go this route instead?