upgrade admx file "retrived from local computer"

Question

Hi,

Our environment has the following systems

Windows 10
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

We have 2 domain controllers in site A with Windows Server 2012 R2 and 2 domain controllers in site B with Windows Server 2016 Datacenter replicated.

Now we want create a domain policy to disable "news and interest" in the windows task bar. But i need upgrade admx/l file.

The domain controllers are using local computer store for ADMX files.

How can i update them? Is it enough to download the last version of admx from this site https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/troubleshoot/windows-client/group-policy/create-and-manage-central-store, install and copy the content of "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Group Policy\Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2)\PolicyDefinitions" folder into each domain controller?

Are all admx files included for all versione of windows client and server?

Are the admx files compatible with both 2012 and 2016 windows server?

versione client and server admx tempalte

Answer 1

Hi @Luca Tessaro ,

If you're not using a central store, then yes it is enough to simply copy the new .admx files from where they were installed (C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Group Policy\Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2)\PolicyDefinitions) to the Sysvol\PolicyDefinitions folder on the domain controller(s).

The Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2) are compatible/supported for both Windows Server 2012/2012R2 and up.

Note: There's also a newer version of the administrative templates (21H1) from here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/103124

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If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you!

Best regards,
Leon

Answer 2

Hi,
The admx file is just used to deploy the group policy.
So, we need to upgrade the files on the domain controllers.
If you don't have the central store for the admx files, then you need to upgrade the PolicyDefinitions folder on every DC.
You can use the latest admx files download from the link provided by Leon.

Best Regards,