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Group Policy Infrastructure

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Group Policy is an infrastructure used to deliver and apply one or more desired configurations or policy settings to a set of targeted users and computers within an Active Directory environment. This infrastructure consists of a Group Policy engine and multiple client-side extensions (CSEs) responsible for reading specific policy settings on target client computers.

Hierarchy of Managed Entities

Managed Entities

Name Description

Group Policy

Group Policy is an infrastructure used to deliver and apply one or more desired configurations or policy settings to a set of targeted users and computers within an Active Directory environment. This infrastructure consists of a Group Policy engine and multiple client-side extensions (CSEs) responsible for reading specific policy settings on target client computers.

Group Policy Software Installation Client-Side Extension

The Software Installation extension of Group Policy enables you to provide on-demand software installation and automatic repair of applications. Group Policy offers a convenient method for distributing software, especially if you are already using Group Policy for other purposes such as securing your client and server computers.

Group Policy Scripts Client-Side Extension

The Scripts extension has the ability to apply one or more scripts to a computer or users. Scripts applying to computers are run during startup and shutdown. Scripts applying to users are run during logon and logoff.

Group Policy Registry Client-Side Extension

The Registry extension is a way to use Group Policy to centrally manage client registry keys. This client-side extension is used to apply registry-based policy settings (Administrative Templates) by creating and configuring the client registry keys.