The two tools are slightly different from one another but perform the same tasks. Today we are going to talk about what the Group Policy Management Console is and how to install it on your Windows computer.
What is Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
The Group Policy Management Console is part of the Remote Server Administration Tool (RSAT) that unifies Group Policy management across the entire domain. So, if an administrator wants to manage the domain’s Group Policy from a Windows operating system (as opposed to a Windows Server), they will need to install the GPMC. Before GPMC, administrators had to open different tools to get the job done, such as the following:
Active Directory Users and ComputersActive Directory Sites and ServicesResultant Set of PolicyACL EditorGPMC Delegation Wizard
However, with GPMC, all these attributes are centralized under a single tool. Moreover, it also has the following attributes:
A convenient User Interface (UI).Backup, restore, import, and copy Group Policy objects (GPOs).Simplified management of Group Policy-related security.Reporting of GPO settings and Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) data.Programmatic access to the preceding GPO operations.
That said, GPMC needs to be installed on a Windows computer to use it.
Install Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) on Domain Computer
Perform the following steps to install GPMC on a Windows computer connected to your enterprise’s domain: The Group Policy Management Console will now be installed on your PC.
How to Open Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
Once GPMC is installed, there are 2 methods to open it.
Using GPMC.MSC Cmdlet
One way is by calling the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) through the command line. To do so, simply type in the following in either the Run Command box, Command Prompt, or Windows PowerShell and hit Enter. Another way to go about it is through the Microsoft Management Console Snap-in.
From MMC Snap-In
Perform the following steps to open and connect GPMC to your domain controller: Note: To connect GPMC to your domain controller successfully, make sure that your network configuration is correct, meaning the Windows device can communicate with the Domain Controller. You can now begin managing your domain’s Group Policy from a Windows computer with this simple RSAT GPMC tool.
Closing Words
The GPMC is a centralized administrative tool you can use on a client PC, without having to transfer to a Windows Server computer. However, if you are using the Home edition of Windows OS, you cannot install RSAT tools on it, which in turn prevents you from installing the Group Policy Management Tools. Also see:
2 Ways to Export and Import Group Policy Settings in WindowsHow To Enable Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) In Windows 10 Home Edition2 ways to reset Local Group Policy in Windows 10How to Enable Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) in Windows 11 (Home + Pro)How To Enable Group Policy Editor (Gpedit.msc) In Windows 11 Home
