Group Policy Overview and GPOs

Group Policy is a feature of Windows operating systems that manages user and computer settings in an Active Directory network. It allows you to centrally define and enforce rules for how users interact with their work environment.

GPOs are containers that hold a set of specific rules and settings for controlling users and computers. Each GPO has a unique identifier.

Group Policy settings are divided into two categories: Computer Configuration and User Configuration. Computer Configuration controls the configuration of computers, while User Configuration controls the settings and restrictions for individual users.

Group Policy settings are applied to Active Directory objects like domains, organizational units (OUs), and sites. They take precedence over user profile settings, ensuring consistency across the network.

You can create GPOs using various tools like Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC), Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), and Active Directory Sites and Services (ADSS).

A collection of registry-based Group Policy settings that allows administrators to configure user environments. It contains over 550 settings for customizing various aspects of Windows.

The registry is not modified by the policy setting. The setting has no effect on the user environment.

The registry reflects the selected policy setting. The policy is applied to the user environment.

The registry reflects that the policy setting is not selected. The policy is not applied to the user environment.

A Group Policy Object (GPO) stored locally on a computer. It's applied first in the policy application order.

The order in which Active Directory (AD) Group Policy Objects are applied to a computer. Site GPOs are applied first, followed by Domain GPOs, and finally, OU and child OU GPOs.

Group Policy settings are passed down from a parent container (like a domain) to its child containers (like organizational units). The child inherits and combines the parent's settings.

Applying Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to specific organizational units (OUs), domains, or sites within an Active Directory environment using the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC).

Modifying the default settings of Group Policies using the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in. This allows administrators to customize the policies applied to users and computers.

The Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) provides core functionality for managing Group Policies in Windows Server 2000 and later versions. Key functions include backing up, restoring, importing, copying, pasting, creating, deleting, renaming, linking, and searching GPOs.

A type of Group Policy that applies settings only to a single computer, providing limited configuration options compared to Active Directory Group Policies.

A Group Policy that is created and managed within an Active Directory environment to control linked objects like domains, sites, and organizational units (OUs). These policies override local group policies when a computer is joined to a domain.

Most Group Policies are used to update and manage Registry configuration data, which includes database settings and options for Windows operating systems (hardware, OS, non-OS software, user preferences, etc.). User changes made through the control panel, system policies, or installations are reflected in the registry.

This node within Computer Configuration and User Configuration contains software settings that apply to users or computers. These settings include software installation options and may include settings from independent software vendors (ISVs).

This node in both Computer Configuration and User Configuration contains Windows settings specific to users or computers. It includes security settings, scripts, and specific items like startup/shutdown (for computers) and logon/logoff (for users).

GPOs are containers that hold specific rules and settings for managing users and computers. Each GPO has a unique identifier.

Group Policy settings are applied to Active Directory objects like domains, OUs, and sites. They override user profile settings, ensuring consistent settings across the network.

GPOs can be created using tools like Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC), Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), or Active Directory Sites and Services (ADSS).

A collection of registry-based Group Policy settings that allows administrators to configure user environments. It contains over 550 settings for customizing various aspects of Windows.

The registry is not modified by the policy setting. This setting has no effect on the user environment.

The registry reflects the selected policy setting. The policy is applied to the user environment.

The registry reflects that the policy setting is not selected. The policy is not applied to the user environment.

The order in which local Group Policy Objects (GPOs) are applied on a computer. They take precedence over any Active Directory policies.

The Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) allows administrators to apply Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to specific organizational units (OUs), domains, or sites within an Active Directory environment.

Local Group Policies apply settings to a single computer, while Active Directory Group Policies are created within a domain and control linked objects like OUs, domains, and Sites. Active Directory Group Policies override local policies.

Computer Configuration modifies settings that apply to the computer itself, while User Configuration modifies settings for individual users logged into the computer.

Windows Settings node, found in both User Configuration and computer Configuration, includes Security Settings, Scripts, and specific items like startup/shutdown for computers, and logon/logoff for users. This node is also used for Remote Installation Services, Folder Redirection, and Internet Explorer Maintenance in User Configuration.