GPO Preferences (Part 2)

OK...I thought I'd provide an update to my earlier post about implementing "Group Policy Preferences". I've created a virtual machine running Windows Vista as my GPO Management Console - since neither Windows XP or 2003 can manage the preferences policies. There were a few "Aha!" moments with the console configuration.

• GPMC is not available as a download for Windows Vista
• Here's a bit of a Catch 22:
• In order to manage the new GPO Preferences on Vista, you have to be running SP1
• The installation of SP1 removes GPMC from the OS!
• A little googling reveals that the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Vista SP1 installs an updated GPMC.
• Microsoft instructs you to unistall all previous versions of administation tools before installing RSAT. After the RSAT installation, you have to do the following the view the toolset:
• Open Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Turn Windows features on or off under Programs and Features. If you are prompted to provide permission by User Account Control, click Continue.
  
• In the Windows Features dialog box, select the remote administration snap-ins and tools that you want to install, and then click OK.
• Configure the Start menu to display the Administration Tools shortcut.
• Right click Start, and then click Properties.
• On the Start Menu tab, click Customize.
• In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, scroll down to System Administrative Tools, and then select Display on the All Programs menu and the Start menu.
• Click OK. Shortcuts for snap-ins installed by RSAT are added to the Administrative Tools list on the Start menu.
  

Once you've taken those steps you can launch and see the familiar Group Policy Management Console. The only difference is the addition of a Preferences folder under the User and Computer configuration folders...