7 Windows Server Defaults You Should Change Right After Installation

✍️ Full Blog Content:

Intro:

Windows Server is powerful out of the box — but also exposed. Default configurations often prioritize convenience over security. As someone who’s configured dozens of Windows environments, I’ve learned that small oversights can lead to serious breaches. These are the 7 defaults I recommend changing immediately after installing a fresh Windows Server instance.

1. Disable SMBv1 (It’s Legacy and Vulnerable)

Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol

✅ Why: SMBv1 is still enabled on older versions — exploited by WannaCry and other ransomware.

2. Change the RDP Port (Default: 3389)

Attackers constantly scan for port 3389.

✅ Change via Registry:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp' -Name 'PortNumber' -Value 50022

Restart the RDP service or reboot.

3. Disable Guest Account

✅ In Local Users and Groups, ensure the Guest account is disabled: