Managing Windows Environments with Group Policy (MS-50255)

Module 1: Introduction to Configuration Management
This module describes the basis of what configuration management is and how it functions.

Lessons

• Configuration Management Overview
• Configuration Management Using Group Policy
• Group Policy Features Introduced with Later Versions of Windows
• Using Windows PowerShell in the Configuration Management Process
  

Lab : Introducing Configuration Management

• Viewing the Policies of a a Domain Joined Server
• Preparing Windows 8.1 Client for Domain Policies
• Preparing Windows 7 for Domain Policies
• Define configuration management
• List the ways you can use configuration management in Windows
• Describe the new Group Policy features available in the latest versions of Windows
  

Module 2: Using Group Policy Management Tools
This module describes the differences between local and domain policies and the Group Policy management tools you can use to manage these policies.  This module also describes the Group Policy refresh process and hot to manually force a refresh ahead of the default interval.

Lessons

• Local and Domain Policies
• Using Group Policy Management Console
• Understanding Group Policy Refresh
  

Lab : Using Group Policy Management Tools

• Working with Multiple Local Policies
• Installing RSAT on a Member Server
• Installing the GPMC on Windows 8.1 Client
• Basic Group Policy Management
• Installing the GPMC on Windows 7
• Describe the advantages of using domain policies instead of local policies
• List the capabilities of the Group Policy Management Console
• Describe the requirements for installing the Group Policy Management Console
• Explain how to use the different GPMC features to create and manage policies
• Describe the elements of the gpupdate command
  

Module 3: Designing a Group Policy Infrastructure
This module details the steps a successful Group Policy deployment should follow, linking your design to how your company can best use the features. Essential network components and security design are also defined.

Lessons

• Design Stages for a Group Policy Infrastructure
• Planning your Group Policy Design
• Designing Your Group Policy Solution
• Deploying Your Group Policy Solution
• Managing Your Group Policy Solution
  

Lab : Designing a Group Policy Infrastructure

• Creating an OU Structure for Group Policy
• Delegating GPO Management
• Creating Starter GPOs
• Installing and Configuring the AGPM
• Describe the four stages of implementing Group Policy
• Explain how to plan Group Policy in accordance with a company’s requirements
• Describe the guidelines that you should follow when you create new GPOs
• Explain how to manage Group Policy by delegating administration and setting permissions
  

Module 4: Understanding the Architecture of Group Policy Processing
This module details the concepts that you must grasp in order to troubleshoot Group Policy.  The module also describes the options that are available to change the standard Group Policy processing sequence.

Lessons

• Group Policy Components in AD DS
• Understanding the Group Policy Deployment Order
• Modifying Group Policy Processing
  

Lab : Understanding the Group Policy Processing Architecture

• Working with Multiple GPO Levels
• Using the Block Inheritance and Enforce Options
• Implementing Security Filtering
• Creating a WMI Filter
• Working with Loopback Processing
• Describe the Active Directory components that you can use to deploy Group Policy
• Explain the order in which Group Policy is deployed in Active Directory
• Describe the methods that are available to modify Group Policy processing
  

Module 5: Troubleshooting and Backing Up GPOs
This module explains how to use the RSoP tools to determine whether policies are being processed in the correct manner.  This module discusses how to use the available tools to troubleshoot policy issues; back up, restore, import, copy, and search for GPOs; and migrate GPOs from one domain to another.

Lessons

• Using Group Policy Troubleshooting Tools
• Integration of RSoP Functionality
• Using Logging Options
• Backing Up, Restoring, Importing, and Copying GPOs
• Building Migration Tables
  

Lab : Troubleshooting and Backing Up GPOs

• Using Tools for Troubleshooting
• Backing Up and Restoring GPOs
• Describe the Group Policy troubleshooting tools
• Describe the GPMC tools that have RSoP functionality
• Describe the GPO logging tools used to obtain more detail about the GPO processing issues
• Explain how to back up, restore, import, and copy GPOs using the GPMC
• Explain how to build migration tables
  

Module 6: Securing Windows Using Group Policy
This module defines the Windows security model and describes the process of using Group Policy to implement user account, computer account, and domain security.

Lessons

• Exploring the Windows Security Architecture
• Securing User Accounts
• Exploring Security Policies
• Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
• Implementing Domain Security
  

Lab : Securing Windows Using Group Policy

• Using the Security Compliance Manager
• Configuring Enterprise Auditing through Group Policy
• Configuring Restricted Groups
• Using Security Templates
• Creating a Windows Firewall Policy
• Describe the Windows security architecture
• Explain how to secure user accounts with Group Policy
• Explain how to harden computer accounts
• Explain how to control the domain security policy with a GPO
  

Module 7: Implementing Application Security Using Group Policy
This module describes the process of securing applications in a Windows environment. It also
explains how to implement UAC (User Account Control) to help prevent users from running
unauthorized software, reducing the likelihood that viruses, Trojan horses, or spyware might
intrude upon the environment.

Lessons

• Managing UAC Settings
• Defending Against Malware
• Using AppLocker to Restrict Software
• Implementing Windows 8 App Security Settings
  

Lab : Implementing Application Security Using Group Policy

• Implementing UAC
• Using Windows Defender
• Using AppLocker to Restrict Software
• Windows 8.1 Client Lock Screen and App Policies
• Describe UAC
• Describe the AppLocker features
• Explain the features of Windows 8 Apps
  

Module 8: Configuring the Desktop Environment with Group Policy
This module explains many of the settings that are available to configure and restrict the user desktop environment, such as Control Panel restrictions, Start Menu settings, and Windows Explorer configuration.

Lessons

• Exploring Script Types and Controlling Script Execution
• Defining the Desktop, Start Menu, and Taskbar Settings
• Defining the Control Panel Settings
• Defining the Windows Components Settings
• Configuring the Printer Management and Pruning Settings
• Defining the  Network Settings
• New Settings for Windows 8 Client and Windows Server 2012
  

Lab : Configuring the Desktop Environment with Group Policy

• Using Logon Scripts
• Configuring Desktop Settings
• Managing Windows Components
• Configuring Printers with Group Policy
• Managing Network Settings
• Describe the startup, shutdown, logon, and logoff scripts and settings.
• Identify the many ways to control the user desktop, Start menu, and taskbar settings
• Explain how to restrict the Control Panel settings
• Explain how to restrict operations that users can perform in Windows Explorer, Windows Internet Explorer, and Remote Desktop Services
• Explain how to configure the printer management and pruning settings
• Describe the network settings
  

Module 9: Implementing User State Virtualization
This module explains the different options available to maintain the user's personal files and settings.

Lessons

• Configuring Folder Redirection
• Managing Offline Files
• Implementing User Experience Virtualization
• OneDrive for Business
  

Lab : Implementing User State Virtualization

• Preparing for Folder Redirection, Offline Files, and UE-V
• Configuring Folder Redirection
• Managing Offline Files
• Implementing User Experience Virtualization
• Explain how to redirect user folders to a server
• Describe the Offline Files feature
• Explain the purpose of User Ex