Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM
Verified with Windows Security Options 25H2 — updated on July 13, 2026
Security policy
This is a Security Options policy (Windows Settings > Security Settings), applied by the security engine — not an Administrative Template (ADMX). In GPMC/gpedit it is configured under Local Policies > Security Options.
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Network access Description
This setting supplies an SDDL security descriptor that controls which users and groups may call the local SAM remotely. When the policy is not configured, Windows applies its built-in security descriptor, which restricts remote access on current clients. A stricter descriptor reduces remote account reconnaissance and management exposure, while an incorrect descriptor can break legitimate administration.
Registry
System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa Value name: RestrictRemoteSAM
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Security policy setting: a domain GPO (Security Settings) can overwrite this registry value at the next policy refresh. Prefer configuring it via GPMC > Security Options.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM
; State: Enabled
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa]
"RestrictRemoteSAM"=dword:00000001
"RestrictRemoteSAM"="" More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Value '' -Type String Intune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune. Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM
# State: Enabled
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa' -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa' -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Expected '' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Value '' -Type String SCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM
# State: Enabled
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM
# State: Enabled
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa' -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa' -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Expected '' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'RestrictRemoteSAM' -Value '' -Type String