Managing Windows Environments with Group Policy

Course details

In this course you will learn how to reduce costs & increase efficiencies in your network. You will discover how to consolidate the administration of an enterprise IT infrastructure with Group Policy, & you will learn to control & manage computer systems.

Course Outline

1 - Introduction to Configuration Management

• Configuration Management Overview
• Configuration Management Using Group Policy
• Group Policy Features Introduced with Later Versions of Windows
• Using Windows PowerShell in the Configuration Management Process
• Lab: Introducing Configuration Management

2 - Using Group Policy Management Tools

• Local and Domain Policies
• Using Group Policy Management Console
• Understanding Group Policy Refresh
• Lab: Using Group Policy Management Tools

3 - Designing a Group Policy Infrastructure

• Design Stages for a Group Policy Infrastructure
• Planning your Group Policy Design
• Designing Your Group Policy Solution
• Deploying Your Group Policy Solution
• Managing Your Group Policy Solution
• Lab: Designing a Group Policy Infrastructure

4 - Understanding the Architecture of Group Policy Processing

• Group Policy Components in AD DS
• Understanding the Group Policy Deployment Order
• Modifying Group Policy Processing
• Lab: Understanding the Group Policy Processing Architecture

5 - Troubleshooting and Backing Up GPOs

• Using Group Policy Troubleshooting Tools
• Integration of RSoP Functionality
• Using Logging Options
• Backing Up, Restoring, Importing, and Copying GPOs
• Building Migration Tables
• Lab: Troubleshooting and Backing Up GPOs

6 - Securing Windows Using Group Policy

• Exploring the Windows Security Architecture
• Securing User Accounts
• Exploring Security Policies
• Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
• Implementing Domain Security
• Lab: Securing Windows Using Group Policy

7 - Implementing Application Security Using Group Policy

• Managing UAC Settings
• Defending Against Malware
• Using AppLocker to Restrict Software
• Implementing Windows 8 App Security Settings
• Lab: Implementing Application Security Using Group Policy

8 - Configuring the Desktop Environment with Group Policy

• Exploring Script Types and Controlling Script Execution
• Defining the Desktop, Start Menu, and Taskbar Settings
• Defining the Control Panel Settings
• Defining the Windows Components Settings
• Configuring the Printer Management and Pruning Settings
• Defining the Network Settings
• New Settings for Windows 8 Client and Windows Server 2012
• Lab: Configuring the Desktop Environment with Group Policy

9 - Implementing User State Virtualization

• Configuring Folder Redirection
• Managing Offline Files
• Implementing User Experience Virtualization
• OneDrive for Business
• Lab: Implementing User State Virtualization

10 - Assigning and Publishing Software Packages

• Using MSI Packages to Distribute Software
• Using Group Policy as a Software Deployment Method
• Deploying Software
• Setting Up Distribution Points
• Using the Systems Center Configuration Manager to Distribute Software
• Lab: Assigning and Publishing Software Packages

11 - Configuration Management with Windows PowerShell

• Using Windows PowerShell
• Writing PowerShell Scripts
• Windows PowerShell Library for Group Policy
• Windows PowerShell-Based Logon Scripts
• Using PowerShell Desired State Configuration
• Lab: Configuration Management with Windows PowerShell

12 - Creating and Deploying Administrative Templates

• Introducing Administrative Templates
• Legacy ADM Templates
• Managing ADMX Templates
• Converting and Creating Custom ADMX Templates
• Using the ADMX Central Store
• Lab: Creating and Deploying Administrative Templates

13 - Configuring Group Policy Preferences

• Introducing Group Policy Preferences
• Comparing Preferences and Policy Settings
• Configuring Preferences Settings
• Lab: Configuring Group Policy Preferences

Target Audience: At the completion of this course, students will have knowledge about:

• Features and functions of Group Policy
• Use Group Policy management tools to manage security policies
• Design a Group Policy infrastructure
• Group Policy processing architecture
• Back up, restore, import, and copy Group Policy Objects through the Group Policy
• Management Console
• Use Windows PowerShell to manage Group Policy
• Implement security using Group Policy
• Configure the desktop environment with Group Policy
• Configure roaming profiles and Folder Redirection
• Assign and publish software packages
• Implement AppLocker and software restriction policies
• Create and deploy Administrative Templates
• Configure Group Policy preferences