Harden Windows Server 2016
Budget: $2 – $8 USD
I am running Windows Server 2016 and want to tighten its security footprint by stripping out every non-essential, phone-home, or high-noise component. The priority is enhanced security, not performance tuning.
Here is what I need: all telemetry services, Windows Update components (the machine is patched manually), special logon/logoff auditing, “audit success” spam, telemetry_xevents, SPP and Microsoft Store events, plus any related scheduled tasks, background services, or registry calls removed or permanently disabled. Identify/list/close/turn off all incoming/outgoing connections and ports. The end result should be a quieter, lower-attack-surface server that no longer sends data out or generates unnecessary security logs.
I would like a repeatable PowerShell-based approach (or comparable CLI method) that:
• Performs each change in a single, well-commented script
• Creates a rollback script in case any component must be restored
• Logs every action for later review
• Finishes with a verification step that confirms each item is truly disabled or gone
Please test on a fresh Windows Server 2016 VM before delivering. Once validated, provide the scripts, a concise change log, and a short read-me explaining how to apply or reverse the hardening steps.
Here is what I need: all telemetry services, Windows Update components (the machine is patched manually), special logon/logoff auditing, “audit success” spam, telemetry_xevents, SPP and Microsoft Store events, plus any related scheduled tasks, background services, or registry calls removed or permanently disabled. Identify/list/close/turn off all incoming/outgoing connections and ports. The end result should be a quieter, lower-attack-surface server that no longer sends data out or generates unnecessary security logs.
I would like a repeatable PowerShell-based approach (or comparable CLI method) that:
• Performs each change in a single, well-commented script
• Creates a rollback script in case any component must be restored
• Logs every action for later review
• Finishes with a verification step that confirms each item is truly disabled or gone
Please test on a fresh Windows Server 2016 VM before delivering. Once validated, provide the scripts, a concise change log, and a short read-me explaining how to apply or reverse the hardening steps.