New features in Specops Gpupdate 2.0
This chapter describes the new features in Specops Gpupdate 2.0 for users upgrading from Specops Gpupdate 1.0.
The internals of Specops Gpupdate 2.0 is totally redesigned, one of the major changes being that the core processing is done natively in Windows PowerShell to further enhance stability. Another new feature is that Specops Gpupdate can be upgraded for a fee to include even more features under the name of Specops Remote Admin. Specops Remote Admin and Specops Gpupdate 2.0 is basically the same product but the feature set in Specops Gpupdate is a subset of Specops Remote Admin. They even share the same download but a new Setup Assistant will guide you through the process if installing the correct product. But besides engine changes and the introduction of Specops Remote Admin, a number of new features and enhancements have been added, still 100% free. The following list describes the most important additions:
- Windows Update Client Refresh - A new feature that works just like the Gpupdate command, but instead of updating Group Policy, it updates the Windows Update client and forces a download and installation from either the local WSUS server or Windows Update depending on how the client computers are configured.
- Pinned Commands - Instead of only having access to the contex menu commands installed by Specops Gpupdate, it is now possible to configure the menu in ADCU to look the way that works best for the administrator. For example if a forced Gpupdate is commonly used, this command with the force parameter is simply added to the context menu in addition to the other commands.
- Ping test before execution of commands - To improve speed when operating on large amounts of computers an additional option is added that will result in the a ICMP echo (Ping) before executing the command. If the computer does not reply the command will not be executed on that computer.
- Start Computer improvements - Specops Gpupdate 1.0 only supported computers registered in a Microssoft DHCP server. With Specops Gpupdate 2.0 it is now possible to use a custom file exported from other tools.
- Recurse option - It is now possible to select if only the OU, group etc should be the target of the command, or use a recursive search the same way as Specops Gpupdate 1.0 did.
- Support for Windows server 2008 and Vista SP1, 32 and 64 bit versions - x64 support for the new Microsoft RSAT ADUC shipped with Vista SP1 and Server 2008.
- Update fortifications for new versions - If newer versions are released, Specops Gpupdate will automatically notify the administrator of this.
- Seamless upgrade to Specops Remote Admin - If features from Specops Remote Admin is needed, the upgrade is simple, just install the Specops Remote Admin package and the License key, all pinned commands etc that was created with Specops Gpupdate 2.0 will remain the same.
Installation and setup
Specops Gpupdate 2.0 now comes with a Setup Assistant that is automatically started when the files have been extracted. The Setup Assistant guides the administrator thru the steps that previously needed to be performed manually, such as checking for .Net Framework 3.5 SP 1 and registering Display Specifiers in Active Directory.
The Setup Assistant can be used to install either Specops Gpupdate 2.0 or Specops Remote Admin.
PDF