Copy a Group Policy

[enjay]

I have a Group Policy which has tonnes of settings in it, one of which I think is causing me some problems. Is there any way I can copy that Policy to a different OU container so I can edit the one line I don't want and check it doesn't inadvertently break something else?

[Dom_]

Yeah - just right click and 'Export settings...'

 

Then create a new GPO, right click and import settings :-)

[jsnetman]

Depends on which server your on but on 2003 go to the group policy container (the place where they acually are rather than linked from) right click it and select copy then paste, it will copy it with a slightly different file name automatically. Then link it to the OU where you are testing. Edited November 17, 2011 by jsnetman

[enjay]

It is Server 2008 R2 (hence me posting in this forum!). No export, and copy/paste doesn't seem to do anything.

[Dom_]

Sorry - just checked...

 

Select the GPO in the Group Policy Objects OU (not the link to it), then right click and 'Back up...'

 

Create a new one, and 'Import Settings...'

[Dom_]

 

Screenshot

[enjay]

Thanks, Dom_, that got it.

[jsnetman]

Further down on the screen shot you have the copy function then right click and paste, it's far easier.

 

You have to point your mouse at the top level of that structure to past the copied GPO.

[enjay]

Copy/paste didn't work the first time you suggested it, jsnetman, I doubt it will now either...

[Dom_]

Further down on the screen shot you have the copy function then right click and paste, it's far easier.

 

You have to point your mouse at the top level of that structure to past the copied GPO.

 

Cheers for that - I've only ever used it to copy the settings to different servers, will no doubt come in handy at some point :-)

[Michael]

This is something I use a lot. If you manage/support multiple sites, it makes little sense to re-create all GPOs from scratch. It also means your GPOs are tried/tested, meaning you can concentrate on other issues.