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Applying uniform desktop settings with Group Policy

I have a Windows 2000 Server with AD that services about 100 PCs. These PCs are running WinXP Pro. I would like all users to have the same desktop settings (i.e. Windows Classic). Is there a way through Group Policy to do this?

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There are a myriad of settings to help get close to the goal; but I don't spy one which specially makes the machine appear as Windows Classic. In User Configuration | Admin Templates | Control Panel there is a policy setting entitled: Force classic Control Panel Style (which I'm hugely in favor of.) There's also Administrative Templates | Start Menu and Taskbar | Force classic Start Menu. But the one I think you're after is Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Explorer | Turn on Classic Shell. Hope that helps!

This was first published in June 2004

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