1. Group Policy in Microsoft Windows Active Directory

2. What is Active Directory A central component of the Windows platform, Active Directory directory service provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up network environments. Resources – Computers & Printers Services – E-Mail, Policies, DNS, etc. Users – Accounts and security groups

4. What is Active Directory Group Policy?  The Group Policy management solution in Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 allows administrators to define configurations for both servers and user machines. Local policy settings can be applied to all machines, and for those that are part of a domain, an administrator can use Group Policy to set policies that apply across a given site, domain, or range of organizational units (OUs) in the Active Directory® directory service. Support for Group Policy is available on machines running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows® XP Professional, and Windows Server 2003.

5. Overview  Control Internet Explorer Settings  Control Computer/User Settings  Software Distribution  Windows Updates  Much, Much More…..

6. Getting Started  Windows 2003 Active Directory  Group Policy Manager Plug-in

7. Creating a Policy Choose an Organizational Unit Create and Link GPO

8. Assigning a Policy Policies Linked to this OU Policies Inherited to this OU Delegation of this OU

9. Defining Internet Explorer  Control the Functionality of IE Plug-Ins Menus Empty Temp Folder  Control the Security of IE Active X.NET Block Sites

10. Configuring an IE Policy  Define your Zones Internet Intranet Trusted Restricted  Define your Settings  Apply Policy to an OU ZONES 1 – Intranet 2 – Trusted 3 – Internet 4 - Restricted

11. Control User/Computer Settings  Configure the Desktop Hide icons/menus Dictate wallpaper  Control Software Installation or Use Prohibit software from being installed or uninstalled Prohibit software from being run  Lockdown Administrator Functions Network or security settings  Configure Windows Firewall

12. Configure a Desktop Policy

13. Software Distribution  Automatically Install Software at Logon  Publish Software  Remove Software  Update Software

14. Configure a Software Install Policy  Install a Software Package on Logon The software will be installed when the user logs on  Publish a Software Package The software will be available through “Add/Remove Programs”  Redeploy a Software Package The package will be redeployed (Update or New Version)  Uninstall a Software Package The software will be removed Install Path to MSI File

15. Managing Windows Updates  Create a policy to use the Windows Update Services server Assign WSUS Server Assign WSUS Groups  Install and Configure WSUS

16. Windows System Update Server  Updates for Windows, Office, Exchange Server, and SQL Server, with additional product support over time  Automatic download of specific updates  Automated actions for updates, determined by administrator approval  Ability to determine the applicability of updates before installing them  Targeting  Reporting

17. How WSUS Works Downloads selected updates to central update server Release updates to specified groups Report on status of updates

18. Computer NameOperating SystemLast Status ReportComputer Group

19. Update Name Update TypeRelease Date Approval Install Detect only Not Approved

20. Reporting Computer Name Status Type InstalledNeededNot NeededUnknownFailedLast Updated Update Title