Group Policy Implementation in Windows Server 2019

Group Policy Overview

• A feature in Windows operating systems that provides centralized management and configuration of operating systems, applications, and user settings in Active Directory environments.
• Allows administrators to enforce security settings, push software installations, and configure system settings across multiple computers and users.

Uses of Group Policy

• Automate user environment settings, including desktop backgrounds and network drive mappings.
• Manage security protocols, including password policies and account lockout settings.
• Deploy and update software applications to users or machines in the domain.
• Configure system settings like Windows updates and firewall rules.

Scoping Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

• Apply GPOs to different levels, including Sites, Domains, and Organizational Units (OUs), to target specific users or computers.
• Utilize security filtering to include or exclude specific users or groups from GPO application.
• Leverage WMI filters to apply GPOs based on specified criteria like operating system version or hardware configuration.

Purpose of Starter GPOs

• Predefined templates that assist in the creation of new GPOs with common settings.
• Enable faster and consistent deployment of configurations by providing a baseline setup.
• Simplify the GPO creation process by eliminating repetitive tasks and ensuring best practices are followed.

Central Store in Group Policy

• A repository located within the SYSVOL folder on a domain controller that holds all administrative template (ADMX) files.
• Ensures all domain controllers access a single, consistent set of policies and templates.
• Facilitates version control and updates to policies by allowing administrators to manage templates from a central location.