Windows xp default security templates

First we need to configure MMC to work with security settings, second we have to import the template database, and third we need to compare the template with the local settings and view the results. Now that we have our snap-in set, we can compare the security settings on the local system with those in the template.

Now we need to create a new database and import the template settings. We will name it CompareSettings and click Open. Next, we have to import our template, that is, we need to select the template that we are going to compare to the local computer. At this point we need to compare the settings in the template with the settings on the local computer.

Click OK to accept the path to the error log file. The following window will appear. If we browse the the Account Policies and then Password Policy, we can see the settings from our database and the current computer settings. Notice the red X and the green check mark. A red X tells us that the setting on the local computer does not match the setting in the template, while the green check mark tells us that the settings do match.

Notice that we have two columns for details. Those columns are the Database Setting template setting and Computer Setting current setting applied on the computer. All settings will then be applied.

To check our new settings we can go to our Group Policy Editor and navigate to the, for example, Password Policy. Notice that our settings now include minimum password length of 8 characters. While we can manually edit group policy settings to achieve the desired configuration, we can simplify the process by importing a predefined template.

Windows XP ships with several predefined templates. We can also import our template while we are in Group Policy Editor. We will select it and click Open.

Create a database. Select Open Database. Enter a database name in the File Name field of the Open Database window. Click Open. Select a starting template in the Import Template window. They are primarily for Windows servers. Select the template and click Open. Analyze the computer to compare current settings with the chosen template.

Select Analyze Computer Now. He began blogging in and quit his job in to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications. Read Aseem's Full Bio. We hate spam too, unsubscribe at any time.

Table of Contents. Subscribe on YouTube! Did you enjoy this tip? We cover Windows, Mac, software and apps, and have a bunch of troubleshooting tips and how-to videos. Click the button below to subscribe!