How to Add NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users to a Windows Group

Adding NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users to a Windows group can be a crucial step for system administrators managing permissions and access controls on a network. This group, which includes all users who have logged onto the computer or domain, is a built-in security principal that simplifies permission management. By adding this group to specific security groups or assigning permissions to it, administrators can ensure that certain actions or resources are accessible to all authenticated users without having to manage individual user accounts.

To add NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users to a Windows group, follow these steps:

1. Open the Local Security Policy: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type secpol.msc, and press Enter. This will open the Local Security Policy management console.

2. Navigate to the User Rights Assignment: In the Local Security Policy console, expand the "Local Policies" folder and click on "User Rights Assignment".

3. Edit the Group Policy: Locate the policy that you want to modify, such as "Log on locally" or "Access this computer from the network". Right-click on the policy and select "Properties".

4. Add the NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users Group: In the Properties window, click the "Add User or Group" button. In the dialog that appears, type Authenticated Users in the "Enter the object names to select" field and click "Check Names". Ensure that NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users is resolved, then click "OK".

5. Apply the Changes: Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes. The NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users group will now have the permissions assigned by the policy.

Note: This process can also be done via command-line tools or PowerShell for more advanced scenarios or remote administration.

Key Considerations:

• Be careful when modifying permissions for broad groups like NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users to avoid inadvertently granting excessive access.
• Always test changes in a controlled environment before applying them to production systems.

By understanding and properly configuring the NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users group, administrators can streamline access management and improve system security across their networks.

Additional Tips:

• For managing permissions on specific folders or files, you might use the Security tab in the folder’s Properties window.
• Consider using Active Directory for larger environments to manage group memberships and permissions more effectively.