Using the SCW to secure domain controllers

This recipe shows how to secure domain controllers running older versions of Windows Server, using the Windows Server SCW and Group Policy.

Getting ready

To secure domain controllers using the SCW, sign in to a domain controller with a user account that is a member of the Domain Admins group.

The Security Configuration Wizard was removed from Windows Server 2016 and is not present in Windows Server versions since this version. Features are secured by default. This recipe applies to full installations of the following Windows Server versions:

• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 R2
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2012 R2

How to do it

Securing domain controllers using the Windows Server SCW and Group Policy consists of two steps:

1. Securing a representative domain controller using the SCW
2. Rolling out the security settings to all domain controllers using Group Policy

Secure a representative...