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1) FreePing
2) Network Monitor
3) Xobni
4) PuTTY (UNIX)
5) IP SLA Monitor
6) BgInfo
7) Net-SNMP
8) CatTools 
9) Exchange Monitor
10) WinDiff

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Windows 7 Group Policy - Gpedit.msc

Windows 7 Group Policy - Gpedit.msc

Microsoft introduced the idea of group policies way back in the NT 4.0, moreover each successive generation has added more settings so that in Windows 7 we have over 2,500 policies.  As with previous operating systems you can inspect and control the settings with a snap-in called gpedit.msc.

Windows 7 Group Policy Review

• Windows 7 Group Policy Strategy
• Launch the Local Group Policy Editor - Gpedit.msc
• Problem Windows 7 Cannot Find Gpedit.msc
• Sample Group Policy Settings

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Windows 7 Group Policy Strategy

If you have Active Directory then your will control group policy strategy with GPMC on the domain controller.  However, if you are responsible for Windows 7 in workgroup or HomeGroup configuration then you will choose the local group policy editor - gpedit.msc.

Types of Group Policy Settings

There are broadly three reasons for changing group policy settings, firstly, adding features present in Vista and XP, but absent in Window 7.  Secondly, using group policy to remove stuff that is inappropriate for that machine, for example 'Remove volume control icon' if you have no speakers.  Thirdly, employing the traditional group policy role of restricting users, for example, 'Prevent users from changing the taskbar'.

Launch the Local Group Policy Editor - Gpedit.msc

When you want change a setting this is how you launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

1. Click on the Start orb, and in the search dialog box type: gpedit.msc
   Note:  Most people forget to type the .msc file extension, consequently nothing happens.
2. When gpedit.msc appears in the search results, consider creating a shortcut by right-clicking and choosing either 'Pin to Taskbar', or 'Pin to Start Menu'.
3. Navigating through the Local Computer Policy is as easy as finding files and folders with Windows Explorer.
4. A good place to start your exploration is in the User Configuration, Administrative Templates.
5. Alternatively, you could trawl the 'All Settings' folder.

Problem Windows 7 Cannot Find Gpedit.msc

The problem is that although you type precisely gpedit.msc Windows 7 cannot find gpedit.msc.  The most likely cause is that you have the Home Premium edition.  It's most disappointing that you can only find gpedit.msc in the Ultimate, Professional (old Business) and Enterprise editions, and not in the Home Premium or Basic editions.

The other problem is that you forget to type the .msc extension.  Windows 7 cannot find gpedit unless you append the .msc file extension.

Sample Group Policy Settings

Here are ideas for changes that you could make to the Windows 7 desktop, as usual, some add features, while others restrict the user's actions.

Start Menu and Taskbar

• Add Logoff to the Start Menu
• Add the Run command to the Start Menu
• Do not display any custom toolbars in the taskbar
• Force classic Start Menu
• Hide the notification area
• Lock the Taskbar
• Prevent users from adding or removing toolbars
• Prevent users from rearranging toolbars
• Prevent users from resizing the taskbar
• Remove the battery meter
• Remove the networking icon
• Remove the volume control icon
• Remove Search link from Start Menu
• Remove the "Undock PC" button from the Start Menu
• Remove user name from Start Menu
• Remove user's folders from the Start Menu
• Remove Games link from Start Menu
• Remove Help menu from Start Menu
• Remove links and access to Windows Update
• Remove Logoff on the Start Menu
• Remove Music icon from Start Menu
• Remove Network Connections from Start Menu
• Remove Network icon from Start Menu
• Show QuickLaunch on Taskbar
• Turn off all balloon notifications
• Turn off taskbar thumbnails
• Turn off notification area cleanup

Case Study

Activating the Hidden Administrator Account.

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Summary of Windows 7 Local Group Policy Editor

Microsoft has continued the good work of creating a Local Group Policy Editor so that you can change settings without using regedit.  As with previous operating systems you can inspect and control the settings with a snap-in called gpedit.msc, and see that in Windows 7 we have over 2,500 policies. 

Microsoft Windows 7 Performance Topics

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