In this chapter, we will introduce Group Policy. You’ll learn what Group Policy does, how it can be used in both domain and workgroup settings, and what infrastructure is required to implement it. If you’re running an Active Directory^® directory service network environment, you need Group Policy. Period. There’s no doubt, no question at all. Your only real question should be how to make the most of what Group Policy has to offer, given your organization’s structure and needs. Why? Because Group Policy is meant to make your life as an administrator easier. Microsoft coined the term Group Policy to describe the technology that allows you to group policy settings together and apply them in discrete sets. Group Policy is, in fact, a collection of policy settings that simplify administration of common and repetitive tasks as well as unique tasks that are difficult to implement manually but can be automated (such as deploying new software or enforcing which programs can be installed on computers).

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