Windows 10

Windows 11 FAQ

Local and Group Policy

1. How do I change Local Policies in Windows 11?

You can change Local Computer Policies with the Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) console which allows you to change the following settings:
a) Account policies - Password and Lockout policies
b) Local policies - Audit, User Rights and Security options
c) Windows Firewall - Inbound, Outbound and Connection rules
d) Public Key policies - Create an EFS Data Recovery Agent (in case you lose your EFS certificate)
e) Software Restrictions - Determine which users can run or not run certain programs.
f) IP Security Policies - Determine connection policies over IP

NB: Local Security Policies are only available on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise.

2. How do I change Group Policies in Windows 11?

You can change Group Policies using either the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) or Group Policy Management (gpmc.msc). The latter console can only be used in a domain.
Both consoles can configure policies that apply to a User or to the Computer which can cover a lot of settings that can change the equivalent settings in the Registry. For Example, Computer policies with apply to the HKEY_Local_Computer section, while User policies will apply to the HKEY_Current_User section only.
Policies can vary from simple Enable/Disable entries, entries that use a range of values, numbers or strings or even a number of settings at once depending on the setting which is easier to manage than editing the registry directly.

Windows 11 Group Policies is available to download here.

3. Can I add my own entries to Group Policy?

Yes, you can add what is called Administrative Templates which are text files created in any good text editor and saved as .adm or admx files in C:\Windows\Inf. The files specify whether they apply to Computer or User, which part of registry tree to modify, the attribute to change and values that can be applied.

More information about Admin Templates for Windows 11.

4. Can I change policies in the registry?

Yes, there are a few places in the registry where policy changes are stored. The main ones are in the following locations:
a) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies
b) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
c) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies
d) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

Microsoft supplies a spreadsheet with all the policy settings from the Downloads Center.

5. What are Preferences in group policy management?

When using Group Policy Management is a windows domain, you can configure preferences for items such as folder options, printers, mapped drives, scheduled tasks, services and start menu settings.
It also includes settings for Internet Explorer 11 or later. For Microsoft Edge, you can download additional policies from Microsoft.

You can set preferences locally on Windows 11 via Start Menu, Settings or Control Panel or registry:

a) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Printers
b) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings

6. What policies are available for Microsoft Office?

You can download new policy templates from Microsoft.

Networking with Windows 11