Microsoft® Windows® Desktop Deployment Resource Kit

Best Practices

The following are best practices for managing Windows XP Professional by using Group Policy:

• Use the best mix of technologies depending on your client operating systems:

  • Homogeneous networks with Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional: Use Group Policy exclusively to manage user and computer settings.

  • Heterogeneous networks with Active Directory: Use Group Policy to manage Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional settings; and use System Policy and third-party tools to manage all other versions of Windows.

  • Networks without Active Directory: Use System Policy and third-party tools to manage all versions of Windows.

• In networks using Windows 2000 Server and Active Directory, update the password policies in the ...