Import a security template to a Group Policy object

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To import a security template to a Group Policy object

Perform one of these steps

If	Do this
You are on a workstation or server which is joined to a domain and you would like to import a security template for a Group Policy object.	Click Start, point to Run, type mmc and click OK. On the File menu, click Add/Remove snap-in. In Add/Remove Snap-in, click Add, in Add Standalone Snap-in, double-click Group Policy Object Editor. In Select Group Policy Object, click Browse, select the policy object you would like to modify, click OK, and then click Finish. Click Close and then click OK.
You are on a domain controller and you would like to import a security template for a domain or organizational unit.	Open Active Directory Users and Computers. In the console tree, right-click the domain or organizational unit you want to set Group Policy for. Click Properties, and then click the Group Policy tab. Click Edit to open the Group Policy object you want to edit or click New to create a new Group Policy object, and then click Edit.

You are on a workstation or server which is joined to a domain and you would like to import a security template for a Group Policy object.

Click Start, point to Run, type mmc and click OK.
On the File menu, click Add/Remove snap-in.
In Add/Remove Snap-in, click Add, in Add Standalone Snap-in, double-click Group Policy Object Editor.
In Select Group Policy Object, click Browse, select the policy object you would like to modify, click OK, and then click Finish.
Click Close and then click OK.

You are on a domain controller and you would like to import a security template for a domain or organizational unit.

Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
In the console tree, right-click the domain or organizational unit you want to set Group Policy for.
Click Properties, and then click the Group Policy tab.
Click Edit to open the Group Policy object you want to edit or click New to create a new Group Policy object, and then click Edit.

In the Group Policy console tree, right-click Security Settings.

Where?
- Group Policy Object Policy/Computer Configuration/Windows Settings/Security Settings
Click Import Policy, click the security template you want to import, and then click Open.
(Optional) If you want to clear the database of any previously stored security templates, select the Clear this database before importing check box.

Notes

To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Domain Admins group or the Enterprise Admins group in Active Directory, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.
To open Active Directory Users and Computers, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Active Directory Users and Computers.
Do not import Setup security.inf to a Group Policy object.
The security settings are refreshed every 90 minutes on a workstation or server and every 5 minutes on a domain controller. The settings are also refreshed every 16 hours, whether or not there are any changes.

Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.