Exporting Local Group Policy

[Little-Miss]

I'm getting myself confused here! ha!

 

So, I've setup the Start Screen how I want it on my 8.1 enterprise machine. Exported the XML. So I have the file ready and waiting on a share.

 

I only have a windows 2008 server. I've imported the ADMX files into the Central store and can see some Windows 8.1/2012 policies but not the Start Screen Layout setting one.

 

So I thought it was a case of exporting the GP and importing it to the domain but i'm not getting very far. I can't find a way to export the GPO, i'm logged in as a Administrator.

 

Have i made this up? lol

[AngryTechnician]

Are you logged in as an admin on the server or on a workstation? I think for at least some of the new policies you need to configure Group Policy using RSAT while logged in on a Windows 8.1 machine.

[Michael]

That's correct, connect the Windows 8.1 to the domain then install RSAT on Windows 8.1. Configure GPOs this way.

 

2008/2008 R2 can read/process all ADM or ADMX templates, but Microsoft have made the decision so that only all new GPOs are available on 2012/2012 R2 or Windows 8/8.1.

[Little-Miss]

Dammit...I must've misread something then. Thought RSAT was if you had an earlier version of 8. Thanks.

[Michael]

RSAT has existed since Windows Vista, since Microsoft change the template format to XML. It was also a good way to force upgrades to 2008 or later from 2003 Server.

 

RSAT these days is purely to do with what version of Windows on the workstation and Windows Server you're using. The format is exactly the same, it's just Microsoft making things complicated. I have no doubts 2008 R2 'could' process everything 2012 R2 can GPO wise.

[Little-Miss]

Ok, this it where I hold my hands up and say I don't know how to use it....I seem to have been able to last 6 years without it haha!

 

So many guides on installing the damn thing, none on how to use it!

Edited January 14, 2014 by Little-Miss

[Michael]

Once you've installed RSAT, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features on or off

 

Scroll down to Remote Server Administration Tools > Role Administration Tools > AD DS Tools. Tick Active Directory Administrative Center and you may see other options become ticked too.

 

Remote Server Administration Tools > Feature Administration Tools and tick Group Policy Management Tools

 

Remote Server Administration Tools > Role Administration Tools. Tick DHCP Server Tools and DNS Server Tools then click OK.

 

Wait for the process to complete, then open up Administrative Tools and you'll see options the same/similar to that of your 2008 Server but with Windows 8.1 stuff too Hope this helps!

[3s-gtech]

From a 2008 R2 DC - you don't need a 2012 R2 DC to change this one:

 

 

Should show under User Config/Admin Templates/Start Menu and Taskbar

[Little-Miss]

Thanks, I've got that far...but am slightly confused as to how this helps me *blushes*.

 

Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick of what I want to do....

 

I've exported the XML of my customised Start Screen using Powershell. Put it in a share accessible to all. A couple of my test users have picked it up but not others. As I've changed this GP locally to the machine, I want it to work on the other 15 machines but there isn't the option on my 2008 server to do this...

[3s-gtech]

Have you got the new StartMenu.admx (dated 30/9/2013) in your Central Store?

[Little-Miss]

Argh! I don't have that!!

 

Am I supposed to do something after I've added the templates to the central store? I can see Windows 8 and 2012 stuff, but not that option. Is the problem that its 2008 R2 Standard?

[3s-gtech]

You may just not have copied the new ADMX into the store. You don't have to do anything other than that, copy+paste. Just check that ADMXs fit the date - the Windows 8.1 ones are last modified in 2013.

[Little-Miss]

So the store is (roughly) sysvol > policies > policy definitions, yeah?

 

I ran the MSI from MS, grabbed the files, created the folder in sysvol and dumped them in there. Will check dates etc shortly.

[3s-gtech]

That's the central store, yes How to create the Central Store for Group Policy Administrative Template files in Windows Vista. Now you have the 8.1 Enterprise client, you can also copy the policies from the local PolicyDefinitions folder (in C:\Windows) into the store, this will overwrite the old files but the newer definitions contain all previous settings.

[Little-Miss]

Might try that...

[Little-Miss]

@3s-gtech copying them straight from the Enterprise machine seems to have done the trick! Can see that option now. Fingers crossed...