Group Policy Basics

Group Policy is a powerful feature in Windows Server that enables administrators to manage and configure computer and user settings across an organization. This guide covers the fundamentals of Group Policy implementation and management.

Group Policy Overview

Basic Concepts

1. Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

   • GPO structure
   • Policy settings
   • Preferences
   • WMI filters

2. Policy Processing

   • Local policies
   • Site policies
   • Domain policies
   • OU policies

Policy Types

1. Computer Configuration

   • Windows settings
   • Administrative templates
   • Software settings
   • Security settings

2. User Configuration

   • Windows settings
   • Administrative templates
   • Folder redirection
   • Scripts

GPO Management

GPO Creation

1. New GPO

   • Naming conventions
   • Scope selection
   • Template selection
   • Initial settings

2. GPO Links

   • Link creation
   • Link order
   • Link enabled state
   • Enforced links

GPO Settings

1. Policy Configuration

   • Setting navigation
   • Setting states
   • Comments
   • Filtering

2. Administrative Templates

   • Template categories
   • Setting options
   • Policy definitions
   • Custom templates

Policy Processing

Processing Order

1. LSDOU

   • Local policies
   • Site policies
   • Domain policies
   • OU hierarchy

2. Inheritance

   • Block inheritance
   • Enforced policies
   • Loopback processing
   • Security filtering

Processing Options

1. Refresh Settings

   • Background refresh
   • Foreground refresh
   • Refresh intervals
   • Force refresh

2. Advanced Options

   • Slow link detection
   • Fast link processing
   • No override
   • Block inheritance

Security Filtering

Access Control

1. Security Groups

   • Group creation
   • Group membership
   • Built-in groups
   • Custom groups

2. WMI Filtering

   • Filter creation
   • Query building
   • Testing filters
   • Filter management

Delegation

1. GPO Permissions

   • Read access
   • Edit settings
   • Edit security
   • Create GPOs

2. Administrative Delegation

   • Role assignment
   • Task delegation
   • Scope delegation
   • Auditing

Policy Settings

Windows Settings

1. Scripts

   • Startup scripts
   • Shutdown scripts
   • Logon scripts
   • Logoff scripts

2. Security Settings

   • Account policies
   • Local policies
   • Event log
   • Restricted groups

Administrative Templates

1. Windows Components

   • Internet Explorer
   • Windows Explorer
   • Control Panel
   • System

2. System Settings

   • Group Policy
   • Windows Update
   • Remote assistance
   • Error reporting

Preferences

Windows Preferences

1. Environment

   • Variables
   • Files
   • Folders
   • Shortcuts

2. Control Panel

   • Display
   • Local users
   • Network options
   • Printers

Application Settings

1. Drive Maps

   • Network drives
   • Drive letters
   • Targeting
   • Item-level targeting

2. Registry Settings

   • Registry items
   • Collections
   • Properties
   • Actions

Troubleshooting

Policy Issues

1. Common Problems

   • Processing errors
   • Inheritance issues
   • Security filtering
   • WMI problems

2. Diagnostic Tools

   • GPResult
   • Group Policy Modeling
   • Event logs
   • Policy processing logs

Maintenance

1. Backup and Recovery

   • GPO backup
   • GPO restore
   • Version control
   • Migration

2. Health Checks

   • Status reports
   • Link validation
   • Setting verification
   • Performance analysis

Best Practices

Design Guidelines

1. GPO Structure

   • OU design
   • GPO organization
   • Naming standards
   • Documentation

2. Performance

   • Minimize GPOs
   • Link optimization
   • Processing efficiency
   • Loopback usage

Management

1. Change Control

   • Testing procedures
   • Staging
   • Implementation
   • Rollback plans

2. Monitoring

   • Policy results
   • Processing time
   • Error tracking
   • Compliance checking