AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Implement Group Policy Preferences in AD DS

Configure Group Policy Preferences and Item-Level Targeting

Group Policy Preferences (GPP) extend traditional Group Policy by allowing administrators to deploy a wider range of settings that users can later override if needed. These preferences are managed centrally through the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), which provides an intuitive interface for creating and editing preference items. By using GPP, organizations gain flexibility in how they distribute and maintain configurations across both on-premises and Azure-joined devices. This approach helps ensure consistent environments while still accommodating individual user needs.

To implement GPP, administrators create specific preference items within a Group Policy Object (GPO). Common preference item types include:

• Drive Mappings: Automatically map network drives for users or computers.
• Registry Settings: Modify registry keys and values to control system or application behavior.
• Shortcuts: Place shortcuts on desktops or in the Start Menu for quick access to resources.
• Scheduled Tasks: Automate tasks like backups, updates, or scripts at set intervals.

Preferences differ from standard GPO settings because they are not strictly enforced; instead, they apply default configurations that users can change if absolutely necessary. This design reduces support requests by giving end users some control while still maintaining overall policy compliance. Administrators can also choose whether to apply preferences once or every time a policy is processed, further enhancing deployment flexibility.

Item-Level Targeting refines the application of each preference item by using filters that determine exactly which users or computers receive the setting. Common targeting criteria include:

• Security Group Membership: Apply items only to members of specified security groups.
• Operating System Version: Target devices running particular Windows versions.
• Organizational Unit (OU): Scope preferences to objects within selected OUs.

By combining preference items with targeted filters, administrators ensure that configurations are precise, reducing unnecessary processing and potential conflicts. This is especially valuable in complex hybrid environments where some devices are on-premises while others are Azure AD–joined.

In hybrid scenarios, managing GPP requires synchronization between on-premises AD DS and Azure AD. Properly configured preferences and targeting help enforce company-wide standards while supporting remote work and cloud-based resources. Leveraging GPMC alongside Azure tooling ensures that policies remain consistent, secure, and easy to maintain across all endpoints.

Conclusion

In summary, Group Policy Preferences provide a powerful way to deploy flexible configurations such as drive mappings, registry settings, shortcuts, and scheduled tasks. Using Item-Level Targeting, administrators can apply these preferences precisely based on security groups, OS versions, or organizational units. This targeted approach enhances management efficiency and supports both on-premises and hybrid Azure AD–joined devices. By mastering GPMC and targeting filters, organizations achieve a balanced mix of control and adaptability in their infrastructure.