Group Policy Objects (GPOs) define settings for computers and users in an Active Directory domain: security options, password rules, drives, printers, software, Windows updates. They are linked to sites, domains or organisational units (OUs).
Best practices
Clear OU structure on which policies are linked cleanly.
Small, thematic GPOs instead of one huge catch-all object.
Meaningful names and a description of purpose.
Do not modify default policies; create your own GPOs.
Test before deployment, for example with a test OU.
Use Microsoft security baselines as a starting point.
Document and clean up regularly: remove orphaned and duplicate policies.
GPO and cloud management
In cloud-managed environments Intune takes over similar tasks with configuration profiles. In hybrid environments both run in parallel; co-management plans which setting is maintained where.
group policyGPOActive Directory policiescentral Windows settings
Frequently asked questions
What is a GPO?
A group policy object that sets settings for users and computers in an Active Directory domain centrally.
How many GPOs make sense?
As many as necessary but cut thematically and well named. A few large catch-all policies are hard to maintain.
Does Intune replace group policy?
For cloud-managed devices largely yes. In hybrid environments both often run in parallel.