![COG[1]](https://www.grouppolicy.biz/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/COG1.png "COG[1]")
Update: I had discovered that this original ADMX template were missing some Internet Explore 11 Group Policy settings. As a result the ADMX/ADML pack has now been re-released but can be downloaded using the same link below.
Microsoft has just released the Administrative Templates (ADMX/ADML) files that allow you to configure their newest Group Policy Administrative Template setting for Windows 8.1 Update and Windows Server 2012 R2 Update. These files are already provided with the operating system when you go to install it however this download allows you to update the policy settings even on an older version of the OS.
The changes to these files mainly include the support for the new group policy setting regarding the new UI setting for configuring the start screen and task bar.
The best way to deploy these files is to simply copy them to the Group Policy Central Store. This will update all your group policy objects in one easy step. Even if you are not running the latest OS in you environment there is no issues with updating the ADMX/ADML files as all the setting are fully backwards compatible and will just mean one less step to do when you do upgrade in the future.
Download the Windows 8.1 update ADMX/ADLM pack from  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=43413
Just a question, if I was to deploy settings for office 2010, can I just import the group policy file into the gpeditor and it will push settings out to the client computers or is there something else needed?
Thank-you 🙂
If you are using an ADMX/ADML file then you can just copy it to the central store and all GPO’s will get those settings.
Point taken, what I did was fired up the GP editor on the DC, expanded the user configuration branch and right clicked on administrave templace and used the add/remove templates option.
Will that still work or is it better to copy then into central store?
Hello Alan, thanks for the update. Curious to know is it contains Office administrative templates as well are we have to deploy additionally 🙂
It does not… You can see my post https://www.grouppolicy.biz/2012/11/out-now-microsoft-office-2013-admx/ for details of how to download the latest version.
How do I get notified from Microsoft when the latest ADMX files are available for the Central Store?
There is no official Microsoft notification about new ADMX file from Microsoft. But if you subscribe to my blog then you will get notified as I always post when new ADMX files are released.
Hello Alan, we’ve updated our central store with the new admx/adml files but the settings are still not available when creating GPOs. We wanted to use the new Windows Update Setting “Always automatically restart at the scheduled time” and it is not there. Changing the Local GPO Setting on Windows Server 2012 R2 we can configre the Updates as wanted. Any suggestions?
Hi Alan,
For existing environment with 2008 R2 DCs and 2008 R2 domain functional level do we just overwrite existing “PolicyDefinitions” Central Store with files installed/copies from files obtained below? Should we make backup copy of “PolicyDefinitions” Central Store first? Is there any chance existing 2008 R2 GPO will fail or will doing this effect existing GPOs in anyway?
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=43413
We are not using Windows 8.1 yet but using 2012 R2 Server and looking to update GPOs with 2012 R2 before actually upgrading AD to 2012 R2 DCs with 2012 R2 functional level
I like to take a copy of the folder before overwritting the files, but yes to install the new files you just copy the new files. No need of any domain mode changes…
you cant do this, you will get access denied
Hi Allen,
I have existing Windows 2008 and 2008R2 domain controllers with a Windows 7 based central store. My question is if I copy the updated admx/adml files to the central store will it preserve the existing settings in the existing policies I’ve already setup or will they reset. My existing central store policies also include the admx/adml files for Office 2010 which I also don’t want to lose. The only point of this is to gain control over the IE10 & 11 settings I currently don’t have access to.