News

Quest Delivers Group Policy Manager Update

Quest Software is shipping version 2.5 of its Group Policy Manager tool for creating, testing and implementing Windows Group Policy.

The new version features a client-server architecture that enables administrators to lock down Active Directory, preventing any changes from being made outside of the Group Policy Manager. It also adds a “container hierarchy view” that allows for organizing Group Policy Objects (GPO) into containers and subcontainers in order to enable greater granularity in granting permission to change GPOs, Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based Quest said in a statement.

Version 2.5 also has an improved notification system that lets administrators subscribe to automated notices informing them when changes are made to specific GPOs. A new “user-defined label” feature lets users include history comments as labels that can be used for rolling back to earlier GPO versions.

Additionally, Quest’s Vintela Authentication Services allows Unix and Linux systems to join Active Directory domains so that non-Windows GPOs can be natively managed in Group Policy Manager. Quest acquired Vintela earlier this year.

Quest Group Policy Manager 2.5 starts at $8 per managed user account.

About the Author

Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.