GPO - IE Homepage setting

[Clankk]

Working on Domain with main DC and Backup DC serving XP clients.

The problem is we need to set a permanent homepage for all users. (Permanent in that users cannot change it but admin can.)

I used the Default Domain policy to set the home page url using

User Configurations->Window Settings->Internet Explorer Maintenace->Urls->important urls

Additional settings included :

Enabling Internet explorer maintenance policy processing

and enabling enabling all options for Internet control panel (under user configuration->Admin templates->windows components- Internet explorer)

Rsop shows Default Domain policy set but setting is not taking effect.

Additionally all clients seem to have the same home page url. I haven't checked the local policy on the machines (because I thought GP is higher and will take precedence right?)

Also if any one has a clue how policy mode and preference mode fits into all this, plz drop a hint. Thanks

[InTheWayBoy]

Actually I think local policy is more powerful than GP...it's like the closest to the user/machine is the most current.

So if you have a GPO at the domain level, and one at the OU level, then the OU will override the domain GPO. I think the same applies with local policy as well. But I could be wrong...

What error is RSoP giving you? It should give you a reason as to why things are working. Also, it's not recommended to do to much to the Default Domain Policy for this very reason. You should leave that vanilla, and then add GPO to the OU that tweak what you need.

[cluberti]

When you enable "Maintenance Policy", you change the policy to "preference" mode. This means that the setting will take effect only if the client doesn't have something already set, and it will only apply ONCE. You should seriously consider disabling Maintenance Policy processing, and reconfigure all of your settings.

Stay away from the Maintenance Policy processing unless absolutely necessary.

[Clankk]

Thanks for the replies.

@InTheWayBoy Rsop doesn't show any errors. I tried adding GPO at OU level and still no effect. Everything else I change takes effect apart from the IE homepage setting.

@cluberti. I had a feeling starting from scratch might work. Will try disable mainteanace and reset browser settings.

Thanks. Will let u know.

[cluberti]

Unless there's a problem with the RSOP, it'll work.