Group Policy in Windows Server 2008

Article
03/03/2008

Hi All,

Group Policy preferences is a feature new in Microsoft Windows Server 2008. Group Policy preferences enable information technology professionals to configure, deploy, and manage operating system and application settings they previously were not able to manage using Group Policy. Examples include mapped drives, scheduled tasks, and Start menu settings. For many types of operating system and application settings, using Group Policy preferences is a better alternative to configuring them in Windows images or using logon scripts.

Press Release: https://blogs.technet.com/grouppolicy/archive/2007/11/16/group-policy-preferences-announced-at-it-forum.aspx

If you’ve been exploring Group Policy preferences using Windows Server 2008 or Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows Vista, you may be wondering what client computers require to recognize GP preference settings. After all, GP preference settings weren’t around when Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP were released. The answer is the Group Policy preference client-side extensions (CSEs). The CSEs are included as part of Windows Server 2008, and will also be available as a separate download for the following operating systems:

· Windows Vista RTM and later

· Windows Server 2003 with SP1 and later

· Windows XP with SP2 and later

Resources:

Windows Server Group Policy TechCenter

https://uat.technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/grouppolicy/default.aspx

Group Policy Preferences Overview Whitepaper

https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=42e30e3f-6f01-4610-9d6e-f6e0fb7a0790&DisplayLang=en

Group Policy Team Blog

https://blogs.technet.com/grouppolicy/default.aspx

Group Policy Preference CSE (client-side extensions) Downloads:

Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions for Windows XP (KB943729)