Tool to compare two different group policies

[totaladdiction]

Does anyone know of a tool that will compare two different group policies and highlight the differences? Similar to how the 'Security Configuration and Analysis' console is able to compare differences in local security templates/settings.

Im pretty sure there is no 'inbuilt' way of comparing group policies using Microsoft Xp/2003 functionality so im guessing it would have to be a 3rd party tool, unless anyone has a hint/tip on how it can be done.

Cheers!

[TheController]

Quest Active Roles Direct has great gpo comparison functionality, however this isn't a small tool, its a full featured group policy administration application, and costs!!

[kevsully]

We will have a free solutions out around the time of TechEd. I don't want to plug too hard on Jeremy's list but if you look around his site you will find a link to DesktopStandard and soon we will have info posted about it.

The free solution is awesome by the way, it is extensions to GPMC so there is nothing proprietary to deploy or learn.

Very psyched to get this one out!

[RTHJr]

What is the current status of GPO Compare ability since Microsoft took over DesktopStandard?

[RTHJr]

Ah, just what I suspected.

The DesktopStandard GPO Compare tool is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance customers by way of the Advanced Group Policy Management Pack.

And I think there was blurb about this in a GP newsletter last year or so.

[RTHJr]

SDM Software has one for $97 at:

http://www.sdmsoftware.com/group_policy_compare

It's not listed in the Solution Guide on this site at the moment.

[Frankv]

I`m using the SDM Software gpo compare tool, which works great. There are some smaller issues, but it still remains a great tool especially for that price.