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JSI Tip 5571. How do I reset Windows 2000 / Windows XP security back to the default settings?
Jerold Schulman
July 31, 2002
1 Min Read
If you have messed up security settings, you may want to reset them back to the installation default. The following security areas may be reset:
Area | Description |
|---|---|
SECURITYPOLICY | Local policy and domain policy for the system, including account policies, audit policies, and other policies. |
GROUP_MGMT | Restricted group settings for any groups that are specified in the security template |
USER_RIGHTS | User logon rights and granting of privileges. |
REGKEYS | Security on local registry keys. |
FILESTORE | Security on local file storage. |
SERVICES | Security for all defined services. |
NOTE: Before you reset security, you should take a full backup, including the System State.
To reset the operating system back to the install defaults:
1. Open a CMD prompt.
2. Type:
secedit /configure /cfg %windir%repairsecsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose
3. If you receive a warning message, it can be ignored. See the %windir%SecurityLogsScesrv.log file.
The Secedit switches are:
Switch | Description |
|---|---|
/configure | Required to set system security. |
/DB | The security database, or if none exists, the /CFG switch must specify a security template. This switch is a required. |
/CFG | The path to the security template used to create the database. |
/overwrite | Used with the /CFG switch to prevent the template from being appended to the database template. |
/Area | From the Area table, above. If no Area is specified, all Areas are used. |
/log | The path to a different log files that you would prefer to use. |
/verbose | Report and log detailed information. |
/quiet | Report and log minimal information. |
NOTE: Because secsetup.sdb does NOT exist, I didn't have to use the /overwrite switch.
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