Group Policy Book

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When you're doing something tough or learning something new, it's always nice to have help a companion or two to make things easier for you. And if you're enhancing your skills in Active Directory Group Policy, you'll want to have Group Policy MVP Jeremy Moskowitz and his two fully-updated companion books on Group Policy at your side.

Get the Group Policy Know-how you need, in Jeremy's TWO new books!

There's too much good stuff for one book; I had to make it two books!

...and the best part is, you can immediately download the most important chapters you need right now !

What? Two books?

I kept hearing the same thing over and over again.

"Jeremy, when are you going to add even more practical knowledge to the awesome book you already have?"

Okay, no one has ever really said that to me. I just thought it was high time I wrote a book that was super practical and could put a lot of your day to day issues to bed, using the super power knowledge you already have (or are about to have) from the first book.

I was going to make it just one BIG book. But that was just so big, that I didn't like the way it "felt." So, I broke it into two books! Each book is a "companion" book of the other.

What do you mean I can "download now"?

It's true. Each book has many chapters available to download right now as eBooks. We have a FAQ all about it, so be sure to read those questions as you make your decision about which you want: eChapters, hard copy, or both! Seriously. Read the FAQ before you buy any eChapters to make sure you're making the right decision.

Green Book: Group Policy Fundamentals, Security, and Troubleshooting

plus

Blue Book: Creating the Secure Managed Desktop: Group Policy, SoftGrid, and Microsoft Deployment and Management Tools

I call these books "companion books" to each other. Each book stands independently on its own, but they're definitely "better together." Start out with the Green Book (Group Policy Fundamentals). Then keep the good vibes going with the Blue Book (Creating the Secure Managed Desktop).

The Green Book (Group Policy Fundamentals) is like the "5th" edition, and picks up where the popular Group Policy series left off. I added a whole gaggle of chapters which address the new GPMC 2.0, the Group Policy Preference Extensions, the new Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM) product, and using PowerShell to manage your Group Policy universe.

Then, in the Blue Book (Creating the Secure Managed Desktop), we count on you knowing your Group Policy cookies. Really, we mean it. You'll need to be proficient in Group Policy fundamentals, the new Group Policy Preferences (which we cover in Chapter 10 of the Green Book), and you'll need know how to create a GPMC 2.0 management station (covered in Chapters 1 and 3 of the Green Book).

But after that, while reading the Blue Book (Creating the Secure Managed Desktop), you'll be golden and really ready to learn the subtle points of leveraging Group Policy to really manage your desktops using the Group Policy knowledge you now have.

The Green Book: Group Policy Fundamentals, Security, and Troubleshooting

(what's changed, moved, gone)

We have four 100% new chapters which cover:

  • The GPMC 2.0: Comments, Filters, and Starter GPOs (and how to create a GPMC 2.0 management station)
  • Microsoft's Group Policy Change Management AGPM too
  • Script your Group Policy world with PowerShell
  • ...and the "crown jewel" of Group Policy 2.0 -- the Group Policy Preference Extensions (GPPEs) !
But the goodness doesn't stop there. We've enhanced every single chapter to make it more effective to troubleshoot your Group Policy universe. Have you checked out the Group Policy Best Practice Analyzer tool? No? Then check up our updated chapter on troubleshooting.

Moreover, everything has been updated for Windows Server 2008, and Vista/SP1. But don't worry if you have Windows XP or even Windows 2000, I've still got you covered to make sure we have details on the whole family.

With more advice, more best practices and more examples I'm very confident you'll be happy with the latest update of this book.

Creating the Secure Managed Desktop: Group Policy, SoftGrid, and Microsoft Deployment and Management Tools

(What's been moved from the Green Book to the blue book and what's brand new)

Now, those familiar with the Group Policy 4th edition book will no doubt find some old friends amongst the topics in this book. We've moved over some key "desktop management/IntelliMirror" chapters from that book (some of the WDS material, the Profiles chapter, the Offline Files chapter, and the GPSI chapter) to this book.

But then I decided to give away some of my best secrets in this brand new book (and make 8 chapters available as downloads).

  • Spin up a new Vista or XP machine using "in the box" tools and leverage the new Windows Deployment Services and Microsoft Deployment (was known as BDD) technology
  • Configure roaming profiles to ensure the user's experience is the same on every desktop
  • Set up Offline Files and folder redirection so users can keep using their data offline, as if they were online.
  • Deploy their software to them. If you've never seen Group Policy Software Installation work, it'll knock your socks off
  • If you've ever thought to yourself "If I only I didn't have to actually install software, my machines would be less prone to failure." Welcome SoftGrid and "Application Virtulization" (we have three chapters on that!)
  • Ensure those machines are "all patched up" using WSUS and MBSA
  • Ensure that only machines you say are "healthy enough" can come on your network and play. Yep, Network Access Protection (NAP). You're gonna love it.
  • Put on some finishing touches, like "sensing" which users are on what computers and automatically deploying printers to them
  • And, for the peskiest of users, put the full smackdown, er, lockdown on their machines with Windows SteadyState. Guarantee that no changes can be made, unless you say so!

If you're ready to get crackin' with your "Total Group Policy workout", you can get the new books in one of three ways:

  1. Amazon is a good source, and it's likely cheaper than buying it from me. But, of course, they won't be signed. Be careful in making sure you buy the 5th edition (even thought it's not called that.) The right ISBN is: 978-0470275894 for the Green Book and 978-0470277645 for the Blue Book.
  2. You can order it even cheaper from Bookpool.
  3. You can order it from me directly for $45 for EACH BOOK (includes shipping). Yes, that means BOTH BOOKS are $90 for a bundle set. Click here to buy a bundle set.
Here are some things to keep in mind BEFORE you order:
  • If you order the books from me, I'll sign the book for you, free! I've had many requests for this service, and I'm honored that you would want it!
  • If you order it from me, and you're in the USA, you get the book, shipping included! Usually, I try to ship out the orders the SAME DAY. But, if you positively need a guaranteed shipping date, and satellite tracking, or other special needs, then Amazon might be a better choice.
  • We have new shipping options to Canada and Europe. You'll see them at checkout time. Be sure to add those to your costs, or your shipment will be delayed as we have to then contact you, cancel the order, and have you re-order.
  • It costs more to buy it from me because I have to pay to have the books shipped from California to me first. So, you're paying a little extra to buy from me because it costs me more. So, your paying for the shipping costs I have to bear, (not for the signature). Again, note that shipping TO YOU is included in the price.
  • We take all kinds of credit cards. No PO orders for books, please, unless it's an order for 10 or more.

Both books are now IN STOCK.

Also now that you can download lots of eChapters RIGHT NOW for many of the chapters by clicking here.

 

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Here's what administrators like you had to say about the book's previous edition...

“ If I could give this book 10 stars I would. When I read the first couple of pages, I knew this was just the book I was looking for. The book was not boring and every chapter has something useful. I have finally figured out why some of my group policies were not functioning properly and the [desktop management chapters were] awesome. If you don't have this book please purchase this book as a reference or a problem solver. ”

Michael L. Givens

“ Jeremy Moskowitz books are easy to read. He gives you great examples. ”

Chris J. Sloan

“ As is obvious to us 'real‐world' AD Forest Rangers, Group Policy is very powerful and can be very dangerous. Used properly, you can reach new heights along the road to a 'well managed environment' but if you aren't very careful, you can hose EVERY W2k and newer system in your domain (and possibly forest) with just a few clicks. This author has focused on a very complex topic and due to his diligence and thoroughness, readers of this book come out the other side in glorious enlightenment. This book is a TREMENDOUS resource that covers almost every detail of GP that I've ever needed. Plus, the extra 'Web chapters' at www.gpanswers.com are a great resource, too. ”

Hilde

“ Awesome book. Great read and very informative. I've been using it as a reference ever since. Keep up the great work Jeremy! ”

Robert Ferrigno

“ …I buy every new edition that comes out. This particular edition includes major new updates for Vista, such as ADMX templates. I teach courses on Windows security at SANS and I recommend the latest version of Jeremy's GPO book at every conference to my attendees. This is one of the few must‐have books for Windows network administrators. ”

Jason Fossen, SANS institute