Creating Active Directory Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
1. Purpose: The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to outline the steps
required to create Active Directory Group Policy Objects (GPOs) in an organization's Active Directory environment. GPOs are used to manage and enforce specific configurations and settings on domain-joined computers and users.
2. Scope: This SOP applies to system administrators or IT personnel responsible for managing Active Directory Group Policies within the organization.
3. Pre-requisites: Before proceeding with the creation of GPOs, ensure the following pre-requisites are met:
Access to an Active Directory domain controller.
Administrative privileges to create and manage GPOs.
Familiarity with the Active Directory Users and Computers management console.
4. Procedure: Follow the steps below to create an Active Directory Group Policy Object:
Step 1: Log in to the Active Directory Domain Controller
Open the "Active Directory Users and Computers" management console.
Enter the appropriate administrative credentials to log in to the domain controller.
Step 2: Navigate to the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
Expand the domain tree within the "Active Directory Users and Computers" console.
Right-click on "Group Policy Objects" and select "Manage"from the context menu.
The Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) will open.
Step 3: Create a New Group Policy Object
In the GPMC, right-click on "Group Policy Objects" and select "New" from the context menu.
Enter a descriptive name for the new GPO and click "OK."
Step 4: Configure GPO Settings
Right-click on the newly created GPO and select "Edit" from the context menu.
The Group Policy Management Editor will open, allowing you to configure GPO settings.
Navigate through the different policy settings to configure specific configurations and restrictions.
Make the necessary changes and settings based on your organization's requirements.
Save the changes and close the Group Policy Management Editor.
Step 5: Link the GPO to the Desired Organizational Unit (OU)
In the GPMC, navigate to the OU where you want to link the GPO.
Right-click on the desired OU and select "Link an Existing GPO" from the context menu.
Select the appropriate GPO from the list and click"OK."
Step 6: Enforce the GPO (if necessary)
In the GPMC, right-click on the linked GPO and select "Enforced" from the context menu.
Enforcing a GPO ensures that it takes precedence over any conflicting GPOs in the OU hierarchy.
Step 7: Test and Verify GPO Application
Apply the GPO to a test user or computer within the targeted OU.
Verify that the GPO settings are applied correctly by observing the desired configurations on the test system.
5. Conclusion: By following this SOP, you will be able to create Active Directory Group Policy
Objects (GPOs) and enforce specific settings and configurations within your organization's domain. Regularly review and update GPOs to ensure they align with your organization's evolving requirements.