Various Win Pro versions and Adminpacks

[mikesw]

I have the following windows versions,

windows 2k Pro Sp4,

windows XP Pro Sp3,

Vista Ultimate Sp1 (next April it will be SP2)

I'd like to get,

win 2k3 Server

Win 2k8 Home Server

Win 7 Ultimate

Since the above are pro versions I need the adm files for each to use gpedit.msc. I realize

Non-Pro and non-server windows versions can't used gpedit.msc, but can be managed by

the Pro or Server version.

Thus here's what MSoft says. They aren't on the installtion CD's.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314978

Various info on the net says

a) the adm files are in the latest SP packs.

b ). the adm files are in the adminpack.msi files

c). they might be in in reskit,support,deploy packages

d). get the server edition to get them and the latest server version adm files

will be backward compatible with the older OS'.

Thus, will WIN 2K8 Home server adm or admpack files work for Vista, Win 7, and the older OS'

and servers along with being able to work on 32 bit and 64 bit too?

e). get the latest developer visual studio reskit or releases to get them.

Hence, which is the best or most complete set to use from items (a-e) for all OS' variations?

What about Internet Explorer, office, IIS or other MSoft products which have their own adm files?

For Example Office 2k3 Pro vs. Home and O2K7 Ultimate ..... to Home. Does one get them

in their SP's , a separate msi file, or developer tools?

Are there any better adm files than MSoft such as free ones that people use or wrote?

What tools are used for one to create their own adm files? Are they scripts or compiled code?

If registery info is embedded in them, I could use UItweak to modify the registry, extract the info

and put it in my own adm file under lets say my name as a category.

I was also reading on MSFN, that domains and active directories are needed to set policy on a per

user basis. Is there other things about adm that require active directory/domains for one to use their full

capabilities?

Right now, my gpedit.msc selections look pretty bare.... on windows Xp Pro Sp3.

NOTE: will probably need a sticky or an MSFN home page link to the various adm files like the dotnet and SP's

that are listed for easy future access.

Edited December 3, 2008 by mikesw