Appendix B: Resources for Learning About Group Policy
Applies To: Windows Server 2003 with SP1
This appendix provides the following:
A list of resources for learning about Group Policy and about the Group Policy settings that can be used with Windows Server 2003 with SP1.
A procedure for updating Administrative templates (.adm files) to the set of templates included in Windows Server 2003 with SP1.
Resources for Learning about Group Policy
To learn about using Group Policy and the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), see the following resources.
Windows Server 2003 Group Policy page on the Microsoft Web site at:
The Group Policy Technology Center Web site at:
Designing a Managed Environment in the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit at:
The Group Policy Collection of the Windows Server 2003 Technical Reference at:
Article 816662, "Recommendations for Managing Group Policy Administrative Template (.adm) Files" in the Microsoft Knowledge Base at:
To learn about Group Policy settings that can be used with Windows Server 2003 with SP1, see the following resources.
The Group Policy Settings Reference on the Microsoft Web site at:
"Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1" on the Microsoft Web site at:
Installing Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) unifies the management of all aspects of Group Policy. Using GPMC, you can manage Group Policy objects (GPOs), Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) filters, and permissions on your network.
GPMC is available for download from the Microsoft Web site. For instructions for downloading and installing GPMC, see the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web site at:
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=29909
To run GPMC, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Group Policy Management.
Updating Administrative Templates
You can use Group Policy to control registry keys using the settings supplied with Administrative templates. An updated set of Administrative templates is included with each new release of Windows and includes policy settings for earlier versions of Windows and earlier service packs as well as new policy settings. Use the following procedure to update the Administrative templates in your domain with the templates provided with Windows Server 2003 with SP1.
To Update Administrative Templates to the Version Provided in Windows Server 2003 with SP1
In the domain where you want to configure Group Policy, on a computer running Windows Server 2003 with SP1, ensure that you have installed GPMC. On that computer, log on as a member of the Domain Admins group, or with an account from which you can manage GPOs in the domain.
For information about installing GPMC, see "Installing Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)," earlier in this section.
Click Administrative Templates under either User Configuration or Computer Configuration (it does not matter which one). Be sure that you click it so that it is selected (highlighted). When you select Administrative Templates, the Administrative templates are updated throughout the domain.
For more information about managing .adm files, see article 816662, "Recommendations for Managing Group Policy Administrative Template (.adm) Files" in the Microsoft Knowledge Base at:
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=29128
Warning
You should treat the .adm files that are provided with the operating system as read-only. These files will be updated from time to time in service packs and in future releases. To use an existing .adm file as a template for a custom .adm file, first copy the original .adm file into a new filename and then edit the new file.