windows-itpro-docs/windows/device-security/security-policy-settings/log-on-as-a-service.md

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Log on as a service (Windows 10)	Describes the best practices, location, values, policy management, and security considerations for the Log on as a service security policy setting.	acc9a9e0-fd88-4cda-ab54-503120ba1f42	w10	deploy	library	security	brianlic-msft

Log on as a service

Applies to

• Windows 10

Describes the best practices, location, values, policy management, and security considerations for the Log on as a service security policy setting.

Reference

This policy setting determines which service accounts can register a process as a service. Running a process under a service account circumvents the need for human intervention.

Constant: SeServiceLogonRight

Possible values

• User-defined list of accounts
• Not Defined

Best practices

• Minimize the number of accounts that are granted this user right.

Location

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment

Default values

By default this setting is Network Service on domain controllers and Network Service on stand-alone servers.

The following table lists the actual and effective default policy values. Default values are also listed on the policy’s property page.

Server type or GPO	Default value
Default Domain Policy	Not defined
Default Domain Controller Policy	Not defined
Stand-Alone Server Default Settings	Not defined
Domain Controller Effective Default Settings	Network Service
Member Server Effective Default Settings	Network Service
Client Computer Effective Default Settings	Network Service

Policy management

This section describes features, tools, and guidance to help you manage this policy.

A restart of the computer is not required for this policy setting to be effective.

Any change to the user rights assignment for an account becomes effective the next time the owner of the account logs on.

Group Policy

The policy setting Deny logon as a service supersedes this policy setting if a user account is subject to both policies.

Group Policy settings are applied in the following order, which will overwrite settings on the local device at the next Group Policy update:

1. Local policy settings
2. Site policy settings
3. Domain policy settings
4. OU policy settings

Security considerations

This section describes how an attacker might exploit a feature or its configuration, how to implement the countermeasure, and the possible negative consequences of countermeasure implementation.

Vulnerability

The Log on as a service user right allows accounts to start network services or services that run continuously on a computer, even when no one is logged on to the console. The risk is reduced by the fact that only users with administrative privileges can install and configure services. An attacker who has already attained that level of access could configure the service to run with the Local System account.

Countermeasure

By definition, the Network Service account has the Log on as a service user right. This right is not granted through the Group Policy setting. You should minimize the number of other accounts that are granted this user right.

Potential impact

On most computers, restricting the Log on as a service user right to the Local System, Local Service, and Network Service built-in accounts is the default configuration, and there is no negative impact. However, if you have installed optional components such as ASP.NET or IIS, you may need to assign the Log on as a service user right to additional accounts that are required by those components. IIS requires that this user right be explicitly granted to the ASPNET user account.

Related topics

• User Rights Assignment