STEP 2 – Post Installation System Settings Cleanup

The tool that will be utilized in configuring a home XP or Windows 2000 computer is built into the operating system.

The Microsoft Security Configuration and Analysis tool (see screen shot below) allows an administrator level user the ability to combine security related system settings for Account Policies, Local Policies, Event Log Settings, Group Member Control, System Registry Settings, and the File System settings into a single configuration file which can then be applied to the computer. The tool also contains sample policies that can be modified for different security environments. This screen shot illustrates the Microsoft Security Configuration and Analysis tool configuration areas:

To Open the Security Configuration and Analysis Tool

Start > Run > MMC > File > Add/Remove Snap-In > Add > Security Configuration and Analysis > Close > OK

Once you have the tool open with Security Configuration and Analysis in the left hand pane, you will be creating and storing a new security configuration database.

To Create a New Database and Apply a Security Template

1. Right-click the Security Configuration and Analysis scope item
2. Click Open Database
3. Type a new database name, and then click Open
4. Select a security template to import (the default template that has already been applied, and which can be reapplied if you have problems, is ‘setup security.inf’ – We recommend starting with the securews.inf), and then click Open.

Once the database is created and the template is loaded, right click Right-click the Security Configuration and Analysis scope item, and then click Configure Computer Now. 

Form more information on Securing Windows XP, visit Microsoft’s Windows XP Security Guide -Chapter 5: Securing Stand-Alone Windows XP Clients.