20 Group Policy Interview Questions and Answers

Group Policy is a feature of Microsoft Windows that allows administrators to manage the computer settings for a group of users in a domain. It is a powerful tool that can be used to centrally manage and configure various settings on computers in an Active Directory domain. If you are interviewing for a position that involves managing Group Policy Objects (GPOs), then you can expect to be asked questions about your experience and knowledge of the tool. In this article, we will review some common Group Policy interview questions and how you should answer them.

Group Policy Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Group Policy interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is a Group Policy?

A Group Policy is a set of rules that can be applied to a group of users or computers in order to manage them in a more efficient way. For example, a Group Policy can be used to specify which software applications are allowed to be installed on a group of computers, or to specify which websites are allowed to be accessed by a group of users.

2. Why do you think group policy management is important?

Group policy management is important because it allows you to control the behavior of a large number of computers in your network from a central location. By creating and managing group policies, you can ensure that all of the computers in your network are configured the same way and that they are all up to date with the latest security patches and software updates. This can save a lot of time and effort in managing your network, and it can help to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.

3. Can you define some of the most commonly used terms in group policies?

There are a few key terms that are commonly used in group policies, and it’s important to understand what they mean.

GPO: Group Policy Object. This is a collection of settings that can be applied to a group of users or computers.

GPLink: Group Policy Link. This is a link between a GPO and a container object, such as an OU.

GPT: Group Policy Template. This is a file that stores the settings for a GPO.

GPUpdate: Group Policy Update. This is a command that can be used to refresh group policy settings on a computer.

GPRESULT: Group Policy Result. This is a command that can be used to check which GPOs have been applied to a user or computer.

4. How do you create an organizational unit (OU) in Windows Server 2012 R2 and later?

You can create an organizational unit (OU) in Windows Server 2012 R2 and later by using the New-ADOrganizationalUnit cmdlet. This cmdlet allows you to specify the name, path, and other properties for the OU that you want to create.

5. What are some examples of objects that can be managed using group policies?

Group policies can be used to manage a wide variety of objects within a network, including user accounts, computer settings, and even applications. By using group policies, administrators can centrally manage a large number of objects from a single location, making it easier to keep track of and enforce changes.

6. What are the requirements for installing and configuring Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)?

The GPMC has the following requirements:
-The GPMC can be installed on computers running any edition of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
-The GPMC can be installed on computers running any edition of Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2.
-The GPMC can be installed on computers running any edition of Windows Server 2016.
-The GPMC can be installed on computers running any edition of Windows Server 2019.
-The GPMC can be installed on computers running any edition of Windows Server with Desktop Experience.

7. How does GPMC work?

The Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that provides a single administrative tool for managing Group Policy across the enterprise. It provides a central location from which you can perform all Group Policy-related tasks, whether you are managing Group Policy for a single domain or multiple domains.

8. Do all versions of Microsoft Windows support GPMC? If not, which ones don’t?

All versions of Windows Server support GPMC. However, only Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 support GPMC.

9. What’s the best way to apply GPOs at multiple levels?

The best way to apply GPOs at multiple levels is to use a Group Policy Object (GPO) link. This will allow you to link the GPO to a specific OU, making it easier to manage and apply the GPO to the computers and users in that OU.

10. Is it possible to disable a GPO? If yes, what happens when it’s disabled?

Yes, it is possible to disable a GPO. When a GPO is disabled, it is effectively turned off and will no longer have any impact on the system or users it is applied to.

11. What is your opinion on the security settings provided by Microsoft Group Policies?

I believe that the security settings provided by Microsoft Group Policies are very comprehensive and offer a great deal of protection for users and businesses. I particularly like the fact that there are a variety of settings that can be customized to fit the needs of any organization.

12. Can you explain how a domain controller works with respect to group policies?

A domain controller is a server that stores the Active Directory database and manages communication between computers in a Windows domain. In order for group policies to be applied to computers in a domain, the domain controller must be able to communicate with those computers. The domain controller does this by sending out Group Policy updates to computers in the domain. When a computer receives a Group Policy update, it will then apply the policies that are contained in the update.

13. How many Group Policy Objects (GPOs) can we have per domain?

You can have as many GPOs as you want per domain. However, each GPO can only be linked to one domain.

14. What are some differences between local and domain group policies?

Local group policies are stored on the local machine, while domain group policies are stored on a server and applied to all machines in the domain. Domain group policies can be more granular and specific than local group policies, and can be applied to different groups of users within the domain. Local group policies are generally less flexible than domain group policies.

15. How do you modify group policy settings across multiple computers?

You can modify group policy settings across multiple computers by using the Group Policy Management Console. This console allows you to create and edit Group Policy Objects, which can then be applied to multiple computers at once.

16. What is loopback processing mode? How does it work?

Loopback processing mode is a Group Policy setting that allows you to apply Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to users based on the computer they are logged into. This can be useful in situations where you want to apply different GPOs to users depending on which computer they are using. For example, you could apply a GPO that restricts access to certain applications on public computers, but not on private computers. Loopback processing mode works by first applying all GPOs to the computer, and then applying any user-specific GPOs on top of that.

17. What are some common issues associated with Group Policy Objects?

Some common issues associated with Group Policy Objects can include slow boot times, slow login times, high CPU usage, and network slowness.

18. Is it possible to use PowerShell scripts as startup/shutdown scripts in Active Directory?

Yes, it is possible to use PowerShell scripts as startup/shutdown scripts in Active Directory. You can do this by using the Group Policy Management Console to edit the Group Policy Object that is linked to the domain or OU where the computer objects reside.

19. What are some advantages of using Group Policy Preferences over old-style logon scripts?

Group Policy Preferences offer many advantages over logon scripts, including the ability to manage a much wider range of settings, the ability to target specific groups of users or computers, and the ability to deploy settings using Group Policy Objects rather than having to edit the logon script itself.

20. Are there any limitations to using Group Policy Preferences?

Yes, there are some limitations to using Group Policy Preferences. One such limitation is that they can only be used on domain-joined computers. Additionally, some Group Policy Preferences, such as those involving drive mappings, only work on Windows Vista and later operating systems.