SECEDIT command in Windows

The Windows secedit command is a powerful tool used to manage system security policies efficiently. This command allows users to analyze, configure, and import security templates to enforce specific security settings on a Windows system. By using the secedit command, administrators can ensure that their systems adhere to specific security requirements and policies, providing a more secure computing environment.

SECEDIT Syntax:

secedit /configure /db database /cfg filename [/log filename] [/quiet] [/areas areas] [/analyzecomponentlist] [/overwrite] [/mergedcfg] [/generatesddl filename] [/applygpoanalysisschema] [/importgpo] [/lgp filename] [/validate]

Windows SECEDIT Options:

Option	Description
/configure	Configures security settings according to the specified configuration file
/db	Specifies the location and name of the database file to use for storing the security settings
/cfg	Specifies the location and name of the configuration file to use for setting security
/log	Specifies the location and name of the log file to generate during configuration
/quiet	Enables quiet mode, where the tool runs without user intervention
/areas	Specifies the security areas to apply the configuration settings to
/analyzecomponentlist	Analyzes the specified component list in the configuration file
/overwrite	Overwrites the existing database file if it already exists
/mergedcfg	Merges the configuration settings with the existing settings in the database
/generatesddl	Specifies a file to generate a security descriptor definition language (SDDL) output
/applygpoanalysisschema	Applies the GPO analysis schema to the security settings
/importgpo	Imports security settings from a Group Policy Object (GPO)
/lgp	Specifies the location and name of the log file generated during GPO import
/validate	Validates the syntax of the configuration file

SECEDIT Parameters:

Parameter	Description
database	The location and name of the database file for storing settings
filename	The location and name of the configuration file for security settings

How to use SECEDIT command:

Import Security Template

secedit /configure /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /cfg template.inf /log secedit.log

This command imports a security template named “template.inf” into a new security configuration database named “securitynew.sdb”.

Analyze System Security

secedit /analyze /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /log analyze.log

Analyzes the system’s current security settings and generates a log file named “analyze.log”.

Export Security Configuration

secedit /export /cfg exported.inf /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb

Exports the security configuration settings stored in the database “securitynew.sdb” to a security template file named “exported.inf”.

Reset Security Policy

secedit /configure /cfg reset.inf /db default.sdb /areas SECURITYPOLICY

Resets the security policy settings to their default values by using a preset configuration file named “reset.inf”.

Configure Security Policy Database

secedit /configure /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /cfg advanced.inf /areas USER_RIGHTS

Configures the security policy database “securitynew.sdb” based on the settings specified in the file “advanced.inf” for the USER_RIGHTS area.

Validate Security Configuration

secedit /validate /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /log validate.log

Validates the security configuration stored in the database “securitynew.sdb” and creates a log file named “validate.log” with the validation results.

Merge Security Templates

secedit /configure /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /cfg template1.inf /cfg template2.inf

Merges the settings from two security templates, “template1.inf” and “template2.inf”, into the security configuration database “securitynew.sdb”.

Backup Security Configuration

secedit /export /cfg backup.inf /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /log backup.log

Exports the security configuration settings from the database “securitynew.sdb” to a backup template file named “backup.inf” while creating a log file named “backup.log”.

How do I use secedit in Windows?

To use the secedit command in Windows, execute the following command:

secedit --configure --db %windir%\securitynew.sdb --cfg C:\path\analyz.inf

What is the purpose of the secedit command in CMD?

The secedit command in CMD is used to configure and analyze system security settings in Windows.

How can I import security templates using secedit in Windows CMD?

To import security templates using secedit in Windows CMD, use the following command:

secedit /configure /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /cfg C:\path\analyze.inf /overwrite

How to export security configuration using secedit in Windows?

To export security configuration using secedit in Windows, use the following command:

secedit /export /cfg output.inf /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /areas SECURITYPOLICY

How do I analyze security policies with secedit in Windows CMD?

To analyze security policies using secedit in Windows CMD, run the following command:

secedit /analyze /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /cfg C:\path\analyze.inf

Can I reset security configuration settings with secedit in Windows?

Yes, you can reset security configuration settings using secedit in Windows by running the following command:

secedit /configure /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /cfg C:\path\reset.inf /areas SECURITYPOLICY /overwrite

How do I generate a security configuration using secedit in Windows CMD?

To generate a security configuration using secedit in Windows CMD, use the following command:

secedit /export /cfg output.inf /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /areas SECURITYPOLICY

How can I configure security settings with secedit in Windows?

To configure security settings in Windows using secedit, run the following command:

secedit /configure /db %windir%\securitynew.sdb /cfg C:\path\config.inf

Applications of the SECEDIT Command

Analyzing security policies
Configuring system security settings
Importing/exporting security templates
Auditing system configurations
Applying security settings to multiple computers
Troubleshooting security issues