Designing Configurations for Managed Desktops

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

You can use IntelliMirror and Group Policy to design well-managed desktops that enhance user and computer efficiency. To take full advantage of these benefits, it is recommended that you define and set up default user configurations.

A managed desktop configuration must be carefully adapted to the target users’ applications, tasks, and locations. It can also increase productivity by preventing users from making system changes that can cause downtime. By establishing managed configurations, you make troubleshooting or replacement easier and reduce the cost of support.

IntelliMirror and Group Policy are designed for environments where administrators need to centralize tasks such as the following:

• Managing new users

• Managing mobile users

• Creating lightly managed desktops

• Creating highly managed desktops

• Managing multi-user desktops

• Replacing computers

Figure 7.3 describes the process for deploying managed desktop configurations that you select.

Figure 7.3   Designing Managed Desktop Configurations

For more information about user and computer types and their management, see "Planning a Managed Environment" in this book.