Pages

123

February 09, 2012

:: Windows XP Home Edition: gpedit.msc (group policy) editing via registry ::


Windows XP Home Edition: gpedit.msc (group policy) editing via registry

It is possible to install gpedit.msc snap-in for MMC in Windows XP Home Edition. I found the list of necessary files on pagesperso-orange.fr (in French), which also had the archive of all the necessary (again, French) files and the installation batch-file.
Warning: you proceed at your own risk. If you do not know what you are doing – please don’t :)
Download (original) French gpedit-pour-xp-home.zip.
Download English gpedit for windows xp home.zip (also in 7zip archive).
Here are instructions for manual MMC snap-in installation. Original French-version archive had a batch file which does installation automatically, which I also added to the English archive (gpedinst.bat). But you must manually verify that batch file fits your system before running it! It might be safer to follow the instructions manually.
  • Put these files:
    appmgmts.dll
    appmgr.dll
    fde.dll
    fdeploy.dll
    gpedit.msc
    gpedit.dll
    gptext.dll
    into %SystemRoot%\system32 folder (most often it’s just c:\windows\system32)
  • put these files:
    system.adm
    inetres.adm
    conf.adm
    into %SystemRoot%\system32\GroupPolicy\ADM\ (create if this folder doesn’t exist)
  • finally, run these commands one by one in the CMD window:
    regsvr32 gpedit.dll
    regsvr32 fde.dll
    regsvr32 gptext.dll
    regsvr32 appmgr.dll
    regsvr32 fdeploy.dll
That should make gpedit.msc callable as Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc.
Other language versions of the necessary files can be retrieved from corresponding-language installations of WinXP Professional; English version can also be downloaded directly from Microsoft website ( e.g. here , or search for “Group Policy ADM Files” at microsoft.com). Also, you can extract necessary files from available Windows distributions: just don’t forget, that “filename.dl_” is a compressed version of “filename.dll”, and can be uncompressed by using XP-bundled extract command.

Geeks corner:
  1. a comprehensive list of the “Group Policy/User Configuration/Administrative Templates” settings in Windows XP Home Edition
  2. an extremely comprehensive Excel sheet, which maps numerous *.adm-file options to their registry equivalents – Group Policy Settings Reference (PolicySettings.xls). This file is for Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows 2003
Disclaimer: I do not know if modifying (e.g. by adding gpedit) your WinXP HE is a violation of any EULAs. It’s your own responsibility to check this out and comply with any such regulations. Also, be advised that modifying any settings using gpedit.msc on WinXP HE may render some parts of the OS inoperable (in my opinion). You have been warned!

EnjOy.. =)
MamoOn..

0 comments: