The Group Policy Management Console -- also known as the GPMC or Group Policy Management Editor -- is used to configure permissions and settings in Windows Server 2008. It is one of the easiest ways to configure a system, so it used extensively in businesses and other situations requiring extensive setting configuration. It doesn't come pre-installed with Server 2008, however, so before it can be opened for the first time it must be installed. To install and open the GPMC in Server 2008, use the Server Manager in the Command Prompt.
1. Open the Start menu, click "All Programs," click "Accessories," right-click "Command Prompt" and then select "Run as administrator" from the context menu. Confirm the operation when prompted.
2. Type "ServerManagerCmd -install gpmc" in the Command Prompt window. The Group Policy Management Console will now install; close the window when it has finished.
3. Open the Group Policy Management Console. Go back to the Accessories category in the All Programs section of the Start menu. Click "Run," type "gpmc.msc" in the box and then click "OK" to open it.
