Group Policy: Question about ADMX files and Windows XP
Hi. I'm trying to organise an inherited GPO infrastucture that's a bit messy. I'm trying to get my head around how ADMX files work when applied to Windows XP.
Our organisation uses Server 2008 r2 but our client PC's run XP sp3. I know that in GPMC for 2008 I have to use the new ADMX files. I also am lead to believe that the ADMX files introduce hundreds more possible settings for Windows7/Vista clients and that ADMX file settings will propagate and work on XP clients.
Confusing bit: how will I know that a particular setting i'm making will affect the XP client or not?
I hope this makes sense.
Windows Server 2008Windows XP
Last Comment
Krzysztof Pytko
8/22/2022 - Mon
Krzysztof Pytko
ADMX file is the new Administrative Template feature (new file format) for Windows 7 or 2008/2008R2 not for XP. This file contains settings (registry modifications) which are understand by GPO client which sets them up. When you have created GPO with administrative templates (from ADMX file) and applied to OU with Win XP computers then registry settings will be modified (if branch exists). ADMX is only new XML file structure but ADM is flat text file with predefined syntax.
However, you can still use the old ADM files on 2008 and import them to GPO
ADMX file pushed from GPO will affect your XP if it is applied to OU with XP computers and if settings to modify exists in Win XP registry
Regards,
Krzysztof
NECC_Tech
ASKER
Thanks. What I really trying to determine is 'how' I would be able to tell in GPMC if a specific setting would affect XP or 7 or both? You see i'm trying to design GPO policy to apply to both XP and 7 PC's in our organisation and before I start I'd like to know if there's a way to know if a setting is applicable.
Or is it that I should implement my GPO changes one at a time and test on both platforms as I go?
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William Peck
Krzysztof Pytko
You're welcome :)
Remember! If you want to use your own Administrative Templates (ADMX) for 7/2008R2 you need to create central store for them. In other case ADMX files wouldn't be available from each DC (only from this on which were saved). How to create central store check this http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc709647%28WS.10%29.aspx
However, you can still use the old ADM files on 2008 and import them to GPO
ADMX file pushed from GPO will affect your XP if it is applied to OU with XP computers and if settings to modify exists in Win XP registry
Regards,
Krzysztof