Deny log on locally
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 policy setting determines which users are prevented from logging on directly at the computer's console.
This policy setting is supported on versions of Windows that are designated in the Applies To list.
Constant: SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight
Possible values
User-defined list of accounts
Not defined
Best practices
Assign the Deny log on locally user right to the local guest account to restrict access by potentially unauthorized users.
Test your modifications to this policy setting in conjunction with the Allow log on locally policy setting to determine if the user account is subject to both policies.
Location
GPO_name\Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment
Default values
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 |
Not defined |
Stand-Alone Server Default Settings |
Not defined |
Domain Controller Effective Default Settings |
Not defined |
Member Server Effective Default Settings |
Not defined |
Client Computer Effective Default Settings |
Not defined |
Operating system version differences
There are no differences in the way this policy setting works between supported versions of Windows.
Note
This setting is not compatible with computers running Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 1 or earlier.
Policy management
This section describes features, tools, and guidance to help you manage this policy.
A restart of the computer is not required for this policy setting to be effective.
Any change to the user rights assignment for an account becomes effective the next time the owner of the account logs on.
If you apply this policy setting to the Everyone group, no one will be able to log on locally.
Group Policy
This policy setting supersedes the Allow log on locally policy setting if a user account is subject to both policies.
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
Any account with the ability to log on locally could be used to log on at the console of the computer. If this user right is not restricted to legitimate users who must log on to the console of the computer, unauthorized users might download and run malicious software that elevates their user rights.
Countermeasure
Assign the Deny log on locally user right to the local Guest account. If you have installed optional components such as ASP.NET, you may want to assign this user right to additional accounts that are required by those components.
Potential impact
If you assign the Deny log on locally user right to additional accounts, you could limit the abilities of users who are assigned to specific roles in your environment. However, this user right should explicitly be assigned to the ASPNET account on computers that are configured with the Web Server role. You should confirm that delegated activities are not adversely affected.