Accounts: Rename guest account - security policy setting
Applies to
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
Describes the best practices, location, values, and security considerations for the Accounts: Rename guest account security policy setting.
Reference
The Accounts: Rename guest account policy setting determines whether a different account name is associated with the security identifier (SID) for the Guest account.
Possible values
- User-defined text
- Guest
Best practices
- For devices in unsecured locations, renaming the account makes it more difficult for unauthorized users to guess it.
- For computers in secured or trusted locations, keeping the name of the account as Guest provides consistency among devices
Location
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings
Default values
The following table lists the actual and effective default values for this policy. Default values are also listed on the policy’s property page.
| Server type or GPO | Default value |
|---|---|
| Default Domain Policy | Guest |
| Default Domain Controller Policy | Guest |
| Stand-Alone Server Default Settings | Guest |
| DC Effective Default Settings | Guest |
| Member Server Effective Default Settings | Guest |
| Client Computer Effective Default Settings | User-defined text |
Policy management
This section describes features and tools that are available to help you manage this policy.
Restart requirement
None. Changes to this policy become effective without a device restart when they're saved locally or distributed through Group Policy.
Policy conflict considerations
None.
Group Policy
This policy setting can be configured by using the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to be distributed through Group Policy Objects (GPOs). If this policy isn't contained in a distributed GPO, this policy can be configured on the local device by using the Local Security Policy snap-in.
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
The guest account exists in all Windows server and client operating system versions beginning with Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional. Because the account name is well known, it provides a vector for a malicious user to get access to network resources and attempt to elevate privileges or install software that could be used for a later attack on your system.
Countermeasure
Specify a new name in the Accounts: Rename guest account setting to rename the Guest account. If you rename this account, it's slightly more difficult for unauthorized persons to guess this privileged user name and password combination.
Potential impact
There should be little impact because the Guest account is disabled by default in Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP. For later operating systems, the policy is enabled with Guest as the default.