Create a Template and Set a Default Template

Creating a template enables you to save all the settings of a particular version of a Group Policy Object (GPO) to use as a starting point for creating new GPOs. As an Editor, you can also specify which of the available templates will be the default template for all Group Policy administrators creating new GPOs.

Some potential uses for a template include the following:

  • Create a security baseline that your organization can reuse across domains.

  • Create a template to manage folder redirection and offline files that your organization can customize for each department.

  • Create a wireless networking template that your organization can use to configure wireless network connections for different geographical areas.

  • Create regulatory compliance templates for local network administrators.

  • Create a read-only snapshot of an existing GPO.

Note   A template is a static version of a GPO that cannot be edited, yet can be used as a starting point for creating new, editable GPOs. Renaming or deleting a template does not affect GPOs created from that template.