Module 7 Configure User and Computer Environments By Using Group Policy

Module Overview Configuring Group Policy Settings Configuring Scripts and Folder Redirection with Group Policy Configuring Administrative Templates Deploying Software Using Group Policy Configuring Group Policy Preferences Introduction to Group Policy Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Group Policy Application Troubleshooting Group Policy Settings

What Are Group Policy Scripts? You can use scripts to perform many tasks, such as clearing page files or mapping drives, and clearing temp folders for users, etc. Group Policy script settings can be used to assign: For computers  Startup scripts  Shutdown scripts For users  Logon scripts  Logoff scripts

What Is Folder Redirection? Folder redirection allows folders to be located on a network server, but appear as if they are located on the local drive The folders that can be redirected are: My Documents (Documents in Windows ® Vista) Application Data (AppData in Windows Vista) Desktop Start Menu Extra folders that can be redirected in Windows Vista are: Contacts Downloads Favorites Searches Links

Folder Redirection Configuration Options Accounting Users Accounts N-Z Accounts A-M Accounting Managers Anne Misty Private Use basic Folder Redirection when all users save their files to the same location With advanced Folder Redirection, the server hosting the folder location is based on group membership Target folder location options: Redirect to the users’ home directory Create a folder for each user under the root path Redirect to the following location Redirect to the local userprofile location

What Are Administrative Templates? Administrative Templates sections for computers are: Windows components System Network Printers Administrative Templates sections for users are: Windows components Start menu and taskbar Desktop Control panel Shared folders Network System Applications Administrative Templates allow you to control both the environment of the operating system and user experience

Preparation 1 1 Options for Deploying and Managing Software Using Group Policy Deployment Maintenance Removal 4 4

How Software Distribution Works Windows Installer Windows Installer service Fully automates the software installation and configuration process Modifies or repairs an existing application installation Windows Installer service Fully automates the software installation and configuration process Modifies or repairs an existing application installation Windows Installer package contains Information about installing or uninstalling an application An.msi file and any external source files Summary information about the application A reference to an installation point Windows Installer package contains Information about installing or uninstalling an application An.msi file and any external source files Summary information about the application A reference to an installation point Benefits of Using Windows Installer Custom installations Resilient applications Clean removal Custom installations Resilient applications Clean removal

Software Distribution Point Options for Installing Software Publish software using document activation ? Publish software using Add or Remove Programs Assign software during Computer Configuration Assign software during User Configuration

Published packages: Options for Modifying the Software Distribution Options: Software can be categorized in the Add Programs applet Software deployment can be customized using MST files File extensions can be associated with particular applications Assigned packages: Advertised in Active Directory and available for users to install with Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel Application is installed automatically and will be automatically reinstalled if removed

Maintaining Software Using Group Policy Mandatory upgrade Users can use only the upgraded version Optional upgrade Users can decide when to upgrade Selective upgrade You can select specific users for an upgrade Deploy next version of the application 2.0

What Are Group Policy Preferences? Group Policy preferences expand the range of configurable settings within a GPO Are not enforced Enable IT professionals to configure, deploy, and manage operating system and application settings that were not manageable using Group Policy

Group Policy Preferences Features Used to configure additional options that control the behavior of a Group Policy preference item Targeting Features Determines to which users and computers a preference item applies Common Tab

Deploying Group Policy Preferences Windows Server 2008 includes Group Policy preferences by default as part of the GPMC Group Policy preferences Client side extension (CSE) must be deployed to any client computer to which you want to deploy preferences

Scenarios for Group Policy Troubleshooting Common scenarios that require troubleshooting: Policies are applied but settings are inconsistent Polices not applied

Preparing to Troubleshoot Group Policy Basic troubleshooting steps: Check Event Viewer entries Check that the domain controller is functioning and reachable: use diagnostic tools such as dcdiag, the set command, or Kerbtray Ensure that DNS is functioning by using NSlookup Perform basic checks to test network connectivity: use diagnostic tools such as netdiag or ping Use Group Policy Results to see which polices are being applied

Tools for Troubleshooting Group Policy Group Policy troubleshooting tools: Group Policy reporting – RSoP GPResult Gpotool Gpupdate Dcgpofix GPOLogView Group Policy log files Group Policy Management Scripts

How Client Side Extension Processing Works Client side extensions are DLLs that process group policy settings Some CSEs do not process if a slow link is detected Some CSEs are always applied and cannot be turned off List of client side extensions: Security settings Administrative Templates Software installation Scripts Folder redirection Internet Explorer maintenance

Troubleshooting Group Policy Inheritance Sales Production Domain No GPO settings apply GPOs Blocked inheritance prevents high-level policies from applying to entire OU subtrees

Troubleshooting Group Policy Filtering Sales Production Domain Mengph Kimyo Group Apply Group Policy Deny Read and Apply Group Policy Allow GPO WMI filter Group Policy filtering may affect only certain users or computers in OUs

GPT GPC Troubleshooting Group Policy Replication Group Policy objects consist of Group Policy templates and Group Policy containers Group Policy Templates (GPT) and GPOs replicate using different mechanisms Replication issues can cause domain controllers to have inconsistent versions of Group Policy The GPOTool can check for policy consistency across all domain controllers DC1DC2 GPO1 Version 3 GPO1 Version 2 AD DS Replication File Replication Service GPT GPC

Troubleshooting Group Policy Refresh If the Group Policy is not refreshing as expected: Check refresh intervals for users and computers Verify that the user has logged off and on, or that the computer has been restarted Check if there are cached credentials, because they may delay the effect of Group Policy Check to see if the Loopback policy is enabled Use GPUpdate to: Manually refresh updated Group Policy settings Force the refresh of all Group Policy settings Force a reboot or logoff, if required, to refresh the settings

Troubleshooting Administrative Template Policy Settings When troubleshooting Administrative Templates, consider that: Administrative Templates are either true polices or preferences Settings that are preferences will tattoo the registry and remain in effect until they are specifically reversed Settings that are true policies are reversed when the policy no longer applies The operating system and service pack level determine if the computer can accept a policy setting

Troubleshooting Script Policy Settings When troubleshooting script policy settings, consider the following: Validate the script Ensure that Group Policy is configured correctly Ensure that users and computer have access to the script Ensure that the script is replicating properly Use the Group Policy tools to ensure that Group Policy is applied correctly