This could lead to some settings being applied to objects that you don’t want to. Do not set GPOs at the domain levelĮach Group Policy object that is set at the domain level will be applied to all user and computer objects. This information can be priceless years later. In addition to creating good names, you should add comments to each GPO explaining why it was created, its purpose and what settings it contains. For example, if you want to have a GPO that has server hardening settings in it, put only server hardening settings in it and label it as such. Here are few examples using those naming rules:Ĭreate each GPO according to its purpose rather than where you're linking it to.

Policies for computer and user accounts: CU_.

For example, you might use the following naming patterns: Giving a GPO a generic name like “pc settings” will confuse sysadmins. Give GPOs descriptive namesīeing able to quickly identify what a GPO does just looking at the name will make Group Policy administration much easier. However, don’t plan your OU architecture based solely on how you will linking Group Policies to it. It is easier to create a GPO and link it in many OUs than to link it to one OU and deal with computers or users that the policy should not affect. Putting users and computers in separate OUs makes it easier to apply computer policies to all computers and user policies to only the users.

Don’t mix different types of AD objects in the same OUs instead, separate users and computers into their own OUs and then create sub OUs for each department or business function. Having a good OU structure makes it easier to apply and troubleshoot Group Policy. Create a well-designed organizational unit (OU) structure in Active Directory However, even for the policies listed above, it is better to use separate GPOs. Use the Default Domain Controller Policy for the User Rights Assignment Policy and Audit Policy only put other settings in separate GPOs.

The Default Domain Policy applies at the domain level so it affects all users and computers in the domain. Use the Default Domain Policy for account, account lockout, password and Kerberos policy settings only put other settings in other GPOs. Do not modify the Default Domain Policy and Default Domain Controller Policy Here are Active Directory Group Policy best practices that will help you to secure your systems and optimize Group Policy performance.

For example, Group Policy enables you to prevent users from accessing certain files or settings in the system, run specific scripts when the system starts up or shuts down, or force a particular home page to open for every user in the network. Group Policy is a series of settings in the Windows registry that control security, auditing and other operational behaviors.

Failed to open the group policy object