Group Policy Basics

• Group Policy operates by setting the default state of a user's system environment, including which applications are available, and what actions the user can take. This policy is defined using the built-in Group Policy Microsoft Management Console.
  
  

Updates

• Service Pack 2 adds several hundred new options to the Group Policy manager. The additions cover areas such as firewall settings, automatic updates, Internet Explorer settings, system security and user profile settings. If you do not have Service Pack 2 installed, Microsoft offers it as a free download on its website.
  
  

Access

• To change the Group Policy settings, click the Start menu and select the "Run" option. Type "mmc" into the dialogue box and press "Enter" to open the Group Policy console. Microsoft's website offers information about accomplishing specific tasks using the console.