DesktopStandard Transition and Support
Microsoft announced October 2, 2006, that it acquired DesktopStandard Corporation, a leading developer of Group Policy-based enterprise desktop management products. The acquisition of DesktopStandard demonstrates the Microsoft commitment to helping customers leverage the value of Group Policy-based management and maximize the value of their investments in Active Directory.
Technical support for DesktopStandard offerings will continue to be available according to the terms of unexpired DesktopStandard customer agreements, or on a paid-per-incident basis. Online and phone support is available through one of the following:
GPOVault
The former GPOVault Enterprise offering from DesktopStandard has been replaced by the new Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM). AGPM is included as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance. For more information, see http://www.windowsvista.com/optimizeddesktop/.
PolicyMaker
Group Policy preferences (formerly PolicyMaker Standard Edition and PolicyMaker Share Manager) is part of Group Policy preferences in Windows Server 2008 and Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows Vista SP1. For more information, see http://www.microsoft.com/grouppolicy/. You can also download a document that explains the differences between Group Policy Preferences and PolicyMaker Standard Edition.
To download RSAT for Windows Vista SP1 32-Bit Edition, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=115118. To download RSAT for Windows Vista SP1 64-Bit Edition, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=115117.
Licensing Information
Existing customers can request additional licenses, or make changes to existing PolicyMaker or ProfileMaker licenses: Acquisition support Web site.
Because of the availability of Group Policy preferences in Windows Server 2008 and RSAT for Windows Vista SP1, PolicyMaker license keys stopped being sold after January 31, 2008. If you were an existing PolicyMaker Standard Edition or PolicyMaker Share Manager customer as of November 12, 2007, you are entitled to an unlimited license key for the PolicyMaker license you own. To request additional licenses, see the acquisition support Web site.
Microsoft discontinued ProfileMaker as of October 1, 2007. If you were an existing ProfileMaker customer as of October 1, 2007, you are entitled to an unlimited license key for the ProfileMaker license you own. To request additional licenses, see the acquisition support Web site.