Network Options
The
Network Options preference provides two options for you to configure.
The first is VPN connections, including settings for security and
connection type. The second is Dial-Up Networking (DUN) connections,
including settings for the scope of users who can make a DUN
connection. Figure 6 illustrates the interface for the Network Options preference and the options that can be configured.
Power Options
The
Power Options preference can configure power options and power schemes
to control the power consumption on both desktops and mobile computers.
You can control the settings as if you were controlling the computer
itself. Settings include hibernation, sleep, and behavior of the
computer when the power button is pressed, when the lid is closed on a
laptop, and so on. Using these settings in conjunction with item-level
targeting can provide a powerful way to decrease power consumption on
every desktop in the organization. Windows XP and Windows Vista have
different settings for Power Options because of the existing settings
that are provided for Windows Vista in a GPO. Figure 7 illustrates the interface for the Power Options preference and the options that can be configured.
Printers
The
Printers preference allows you to map and configure printers. It
includes options for configuring local printers, as well as for mapping
TCP/IP printers or shared printers from the network. When you use this
preference in conjunction with item-level targeting, you can manage
printers centrally so that mobile users receive the proper printer as
they go from branch office to branch office. Windows Vista Group Policy
provides native support for deploying printers. However, it supports
shared printers only and requires Active Directory schema extensions.
In contrast, the Printers extension supports shared, local, and TCP/IP
printers on Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista, and it also allows you to
configure the default printer. Figure 8 illustrates the interface for the Printers preference and the options that can be configured.
Regional Options
The
Regional Options preference is simple, allowing configuration of the
user locale settings, which include number, currency, time, and date
formats. Figure 9 illustrates the interface for the Regional Options preference and the options that can be configured.
Note
The Regional Options preference is available only in the User Configuration section. |
Scheduled Tasks
The
Scheduled Tasks preference provides full control over existing and new
scheduled tasks that will run on the targeted computer. Executables,
scripts, and other command-line tools can be configured to run on a
schedule with nearly any credential within the configured preference.
Using this preference with the new Task Scheduler in Windows Vista can
provide a powerful control mechanism over computers running Windows
Vista. Figure 10 illustrates the interface for the Scheduled Tasks preference and the options that can be configured.
Services
The
Services preference gives you control over services that are running
locally on each target computer. Providing the ability to control the
start-up type, service account, and recovery options, the preference
setting for services resolves many issues that were previously
difficult to manage because of decentralized management of the
services. Figure 11 il lustrates the interface for the Services preference and the options that can be configured.
Note
The Services preference is available only in the Computer Configuration section. |
Start Menu
The
Start Menu preference provides settings to control the Start menus on
both Windows XP and Windows Vista. This includes nearly every facet of
the Start menu, including tools listed, formatting of the menu, and
customization of the shortcuts that are displayed on the menu. Figure 12 illustrates the interface for the Start Menu preference and the options that can be configured.
Note
The Start Menu preference is available only in the User Configuration section. |
