1. Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Module 5
Managing User Desktops with Group Policy

2. Managing Software with Group Policy
Module Overview
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Managing Software with Group Policy

3. Configuring Folder Redirection and Scripts

4. Lesson 1: Configuring Folder Redirection and Scripts
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Demonstration: Configuring Scripts with GPOs

5. What Is Folder Redirection?
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Folder redirection is a feature that allows folders to be located on a network server, but appear as if they are located on the local drive
Folders that can be redirected in Windows Vista and later are:
Desktop
Start Menu
Documents
Pictures
AppData\Roaming
Contacts
Downloads
Favorites
Saved Games
Searches
Links
Music
Videos

6. Settings for Configuring Folder Redirection
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Folder redirection configuration options:
Use Basic folder redirection when all users save their files to the same parent location
Use Advanced folder redirection when the server hosting the folder location is based on group membership
Use the Follow the Documents folder to force certain folders to become subfolders of Documents
Target folder location options:
Redirect to the users’ home directory (Documents folder only)
Create a folder for each user under the root path
Redirect to the following location
Redirect to the local user profile location
Accounting
Users
Accounts
N-Z
A-M
Managers
Anne
Amy

7. Security Settings for Redirected Folders
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
NTFS permissions for root folder
Creator/Owner
Full control – subfolders and files only
Administrator
None
Security group of users that save data on the share
List Folder/Read Data, Create Folders/Append Data-This Folder Only
System
Full control
Share permissions for root folder
Creator/Owner
Full control – subfolders and files only
Security group of users that save data on the share
Full control
NTFS permissions for each user’s redirected folder
Creator/Owner
Full control – subfolders and files only
%Username%
Full control, owner of folder
Administrators
None
System
Full control

8. Demonstration: Configuring Folder Redirection
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
In this demonstration, you will see how to:
Create a shared folder for folder redirection
Create a GPO to redirect the Documents folder
(More notes on the next slide)

9. Group Policy Settings for Applying Scripts
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
You can use scripts to perform many tasks, such as clearing page files or mapping drives, and clearing temp folders for users
You can assign Group Policy script settings to assign:
For computers:
Startup scripts
Shutdown scripts
For users:
Logon scripts
Logoff scripts

10. Demonstration: Configuring Scripts with GPOs
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
In this demonstration, you will see how to:
Create a login script to map a network drive
Create and link a GPO to use the script and store the script in the Netlogon share
(More notes on the next slide)

11. Configuring Group Policy Preferences

12. Lesson 2: Configuring Group Policy Preferences
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Demonstration: Configuring Group Policy Preferences

13. Comparing Group Policy Preferences and Administrative Templates
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Group Policy settings
Group Policy Preferences
Strictly enforce policy settings by writing the settings to areas of the registry that standard users cannot modify
Are written to the normal locations in the registry that the application or operating system feature uses to store the setting
Typically disable the user interface for settings that Group Policy is managing
Do not cause the application or operating system feature to disable the user interface for the settings they configure
Refresh policy settings at a regular interval
Refresh preferences by using the same interval as Group Policy settings by default

14. Features of Group Policy Preferences
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Common Tab
Targeting Features
Is used to configure additional options that control the behavior of a Group Policy preference item
Determines to which users and computers a preference item applies

15. Item-Level Targeting Options
20411C
Item-Level Targeting Options
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Target 27 different categories
Combine different categories together by using AND or OR Boolean logic. Instead of using a single category for targeting, you can use multiple categories
Item-level targeting is refreshed during the Group Policy background refresh

16. Demonstration: Configuring Group Policy Preferences
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
In this demonstration, you will see how to:
Configure a desktop shortcut with Group Policy preferences
Target the preference
Configure a new folder with Group Policy preferences
(More notes on the next slide)

17. Managing Software with Group Policy

18. Lesson 3: Managing Software with Group Policy
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Managing Software Upgrades by Using Group Policy
Demonstration: Deploying software by using Group Policy

19. 20411C
How Group Policy Software Distribution Helps to Address the Software Lifecycle
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Preparation 1
Deployment 2
Maintenance 3
Removal 4
1.0
2.0

20. How Windows Installer Enhances Software Distribution
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Windows Installer:
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
Benefits of using Windows Installer:
Custom installations
Resilient applications
Clean removal

21. Assigning and Publishing Software
20411C
Assigning and Publishing Software
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Software Distribution Share
Assign software during computer configuration
Publish software using extension activation
Publish software using Add or Remove Programs
Assign software during user configuration

22. Managing Software Upgrades by Using Group Policy
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Deploy next version of the application
Mandatory upgrade
Users can use only the upgraded version
1.0
2.0
Optional upgrade
Users can decide when to upgrade
Selective upgrade
You can select specific users for an upgrade

23. Demonstration: Deploying software by using Group Policy
5: Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
In this demonstration, you will see how to:
Deploy software by using Group Policy
(More notes on the next slide)

24. Additional Resources & Next Steps
Instructor-Led Courses
20411C: Administering Windows Server 2012
Books
Exam Ref : Administering Windows Server 2012
Exams & Certifications
Exam : Administering Windows Server 2012