Starter Group Policy Objects
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2
What are the major changes?
System Starter Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for the following scenarios are available in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 with Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT):
Windows Vista Enterprise Client (EC)
Windows Vista Specialized Security Limited Functionality (SSLF) Client
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) EC
Windows XP SP2 SSLF Client
What do System Starter GPOs do?
System Starter GPOs are read-only Starter GPOs that provide a baseline of settings for a specific scenario. Like Starter GPOs, System Starter GPOs derive from a GPO, let you store a collection of Administrative template policy settings in a single object, and can be imported.
What new functionality does this feature provide?
System Starter GPOs are included as part of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 with RSAT and do not have to be downloaded and installed separately.
Why is this change important?
The System Starter GPOs included with Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 with RSAT provide recommended Group Policy settings for the following scenarios described in either the Windows Vista Security Guide or the Windows XP Security Guide:
The computer and user Group Policy settings that are recommended for the Windows Vista EC client environment are contained in the Windows Vista EC Computer and Windows Vista EC User System Starter GPOs.
The computer and user Group Policy settings that are recommended for the Windows Vista SSLF client environment are contained in the Windows Vista SSLF Computer and Windows Vista SSLF User System Starter GPOs.
The computer and user Group Policy settings that are recommended for the Windows XP SP2 EC environment are contained in the Windows XP SP2 EC Computer and Windows XP SP2 EC User System Starter GPOs.
The computer and user Group Policy settings that are recommended for the Windows XP SP2 SSLF client environment are contained in the Windows XP SP2 SSLF Computer and Windows XP SP2 SSLF User System Starter GPOs.
What works differently?
You no longer have to download these System Starter GPOs because they are included in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 with RSAT.
Additional references
For more information about the EC and SSLF client scenarios for Windows Vista and the recommended policy settings, see the Windows Vista Security Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=121852).
For more information about the EC and SSLF client scenarios for Windows XP and the recommended policy settings, see the Windows XP Security Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=121854).