Deny access to this computer from the network
Updated: May 8, 2013
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Vista
This security policy reference topic for the IT professional describes the best practices, location, values, policy management, and security considerations for this policy setting.
Reference
This security setting determines which users are prevented from accessing a computer over the network.
This policy setting is supported on versions of Windows that are designated in the Applies To list.
Constant: SeDenyNetworkLogonRight
Possible values
User-defined list of accounts
Guest
Best practices
- Because all Active Directory Domain Services programs use a network logon for access, use caution when you assign this user right on domain controllers.
Location
GPO_name\Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment
Default values
By default, this setting is Guest on domain controllers and on stand-alone servers.
The following table lists the actual and effective default policy values for the most recent supported versions of Windows. Default values are also listed on the policy’s property page.
| Server type or GPO | Default value |
|---|---|
Default Domain Policy |
Not defined |
Default Domain Controller Policy |
Guest |
Stand-Alone Server Default Settings |
Guest |
Domain Controller Effective Default Settings |
Guest |
Member Server Effective Default Settings |
Guest |
Client Computer Effective Default Settings |
Guest |
Operating system version differences
There are no differences in the way this policy setting works between supported versions of Windows.
Policy management
This section describes features and tools available to help you manage this policy.
A restart of the computer is not required for this policy setting to be effective.
This policy setting supersedes the Access this computer from the network policy setting if a user account is subject to both policies.
Any change to the user rights assignment for an account becomes effective the next time the owner of the account logs on.
Group Policy
Settings are applied in the following order through a Group Policy Object (GPO), which will overwrite settings on the local computer at the next Group Policy update:
Local policy settings
Site policy settings
Domain policy settings
OU policy settings
When a local setting is greyed out, it indicates that a GPO currently controls that setting.
Security considerations
This section describes how an attacker might exploit a feature or its configuration, how to implement the countermeasure, and the possible negative consequences of countermeasure implementation.
Vulnerability
Users who can log on to the computer over the network can enumerate lists of account names, group names, and shared resources. Users with permission to access shared folders and files can connect over the network and possibly view or modify data.
Countermeasure
Assign the Deny access to this computer from the network user right to the following accounts:
Anonymous logon
Built-in local Administrator account
Local Guest account
All service accounts
An important exception to this list is any service accounts that are used to start services that must connect to the computer over the network. For example, let’s say you have configured a shared folder for web servers to access, and you present content within that folder through a website. You may need to allow the account that runs IIS to log on to the server with the shared folder from the network. This user right is particularly effective when you must configure servers and workstations on which sensitive information is handled because of regulatory compliance concerns.
Potential impact
If you configure the Deny access to this computer from the network user right for other accounts, you could limit the abilities of users who are assigned to specific administrative roles in your environment. You should verify that delegated tasks are not negatively affected.