New Group Policy features in Windows Server 2008

Group Policy is such an infrastructure that allows users to configure the operating system and all of it’s applications in a centralized manner.  In Windows 2008 Server, the Group Policy comes with the Domain based version of it. Though the Group Policy is circulates with the operating system, still it needs to install as a feature in Windows Server 2008.

Group Policy in Windows Server 2008 arrived with some additional features that made it different than the previous Group Policy which are as follows:

a.    Windows PowerShell  Cmdlet for Group Policy

b.    Added Preference in Group Policy such as Power Plan, Scheduled Task, Immediate Task and Internet Explorer 8 preference

c.    Starter Group Policy objects

d.    Administrative Template with functionality and settings

Short description of the new features

a.    Windows PowerShell Cmdlet for Group Policy:This is a combination of shell commands that used to accomplish many Group Policy task like

1.    Group policy Object (GPO) creation,

2.    Add, modify or delete any GPO link that is related to Active Directory Service

3.    Set permission and inheritance with Domains and Active Directory Service organizational Units and

4.    Registry based any Group Policy creation or modification.

b.    Added Preference in Group Policy

1.    Power plan:This feature enables users to change the default setting of power consumption.

2.    Scheduled Task:It allows user to create, modify or delete any scheduled task.

3.    Immediate Task:for any task that should run immediately as soon as Group Policy refreshes.

4.    Internet Explorer 8 preference:To update any internet related option, this feature is used.

c.     Starter Group Policy Objects: This is read only Starter GPO which presents the ground of settings to a particular setting similar to System Starter GPOs derive from a GPO, Starter GPOs, allows to store a bunch of Administrative outline policy within a distinct object.

d.    Registry based any Group Policy creation or modification:  To create, change or remove any settings related to registry can be done with this feature like, add or remove administrative template, application modification, logon script entry or change etc.

Preference item will not be present until an administrator generates them. One can build or make change into the preference item through each Group Policy Object.

Below is a brief list that can be done using Group Policy Preference in Windows 2008 server