Member Avatar for micheals

Hello all! I know that I sound completely like a novice, which I guess I am, but I am a networking specialist (almost...I will have my CCNA in about 2 months) and thus haven't ever really dealt much with Active Directory. I understand the basics such as creating new users, unlocking accounts, resetting passwords, etc. but where I am lacking is in the design and implementation of group policies. For the most part, I understand the concept of them but have never dabbled in them.

Whatever help I may receive would be greatly appreciated.

As gratitude for the future help, thanks for fielding the questions of an ignorant novice.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by lasitha2005d

Dani AI

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Quick practical primer for a new AD admin (context: has a networking background and is learning AD). Group Policy is the central mechanism for applying computer and user settings from AD. GPOs are linked to Sites, Domains and OUs; processing order is Local -> Site -> Domain -> OU (later links win). Scope is controlled by link location, link order, security filtering (group membership), optional WMI filters, and loopback processing (Merge or Replace) when user settings must follow the computer.

A short, hands-on learning path:

  1. Build a small VM lab (at least one domain controller and one client). Use snapshots for quick rollback.
  2. Create an OU structure (Workstations, Servers, Users, ServiceAccounts). Place objects before linking GPOs.
  3. Create a minimal baseline GPO for essentials (patching/Windows Update policy, firewall profile, local admin removal) and link to the appropriate OU. Keep domain-wide account policies in a single domain-linked GPO (or use fine-grained policies where needed).
  4. Test and iterate: apply a single, simple setting first. Use Group Policy Modeling to simulate complex scope before deployment.

Quick troubleshooting and inspection (run on client or DC):

gpupdate /force
gpresult /h C:\GPReport.html
rsop.msc
gpmc.msc
repadmin /showrepl

If a setting doesn't apply, check gpresult/RSOP, client event logs, SYSVOL replication and AD replication.

Best practices and cautions: use clear naming/versioning for GPOs; prefer creating purpose-built GPOs instead of editing defaults; use security groups to scope application rather than removing Authenticated Users; use Enforced sparingly; back up GPOs before major changes; test in the lab. As noted, reading helps; as offered, a short hands-on walkthrough covering GPMC, scope, filtering and troubleshooting will accelerate practical learning.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

google.com is you best friend when looking for info , i suggest a search and a lot of reading ,i found one link for a course in the subject at a cost of $1100.00 ,there is a lot to group policies and perhaps more that anyone can tell you here , a forum like this is designed to help with problems not so vast in nature !, good luck from a novice too.

google search .
http://www.bing.com/search?FORM=SLVTDF&PC=MSSL&q=Group+Policy+Help

and .
http://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com/tutorial/A-basic-primer-on-Microsoft-Group-Policy

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for lasitha2005d

I m very familiar with group policy. I can teach you some if you want. However will take some time. And other resources. And we may need a separate platform to discuss it.
What is your suggestion?

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