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        Group Policy Offers New Functionality in Windows Server 2008

Section(s): Active Directory
Published on May 12, 2009.
Last Modified on Dec 31, 2008.
Last Modified by Nirmal Sharma.
Rated 2 out of 5 based on 1 votes.

This article explains the improvements to the Group Policy in Windows Server 2008.

Group Policy Objects can be used to apply settings to client computers from a central location. This article lists the new functionality added to the Group Policy in Windows Server 2008. This article doesn't explain the features in the detail.

XML-based policy template files are used now (ADMX and ADML).
Central Stores are used to reduce the disk space.
ADMX and ADML are not stored in each GPO now
Local GPO Store Location is:

ADM=%SystemRoot\INF
ADMX=%SystemRoot%\PolicyDefinitions,
ADML=%SystemRoot%\PolicyDefinitions\EN-US
- GPEditor and GPMC don't copy ADM and ADMX files to SYSVOL now
- GPEditor and GPMC reads from the CentralStore in SYSVOL now
- Central Store is not available by default. You must create the Central Store
- Domain Central Store Location is:
1. %SystemRoot%\SYSVOL\Domain\policies\PolicyDefinitions (ADMX)
2. %SystemRoot%\SYSVOL\Domain\policies\PolicyDefinitions\en-us (ADML)
- Search for GPOs using GPMC
- StarterGPO feature makes you import/export GPO settings quickly across domains
- More than 20 GPOs Extensions are provided for Preferences.
- Preferences contains the two major Extensions:
1. Windows Settings
2. Control Panel

About Nirmal Sharma

Nirmal is a Microsoft MVP in Directory Services and working as a Technical Architect/Consultant. He has been involved in Microsoft Technologies since 1994 and followed the progression of Microsoft Operating Systems and software. He is specialized in Directory Services, Microsoft Clustering, SQL, MOM, Exchange and Citrix. In his spare time, he likes to help others and write "internal" technical articles, white papers and tips on various Microsoft technologies. You can contact him at nirmal_sharma@mvps.org.