Nov 14, 2010

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Install and Enable Group Policy Editor (GPEdit.msc) in Windows XP Home Edition

Windows XP Home Edition does not come with a Group Policy Editor (GPEdit.msc) which allows user to view, modify, change or customize various advanced system settings and policies. As a result, Windows XP Home Edition users are left wasting time trying to figure out how to open Group Policy Editor, or have to manually edit the corresponding registry keys based on group policy to registry entries reference to make the change.

There is hack available to install GPedit.msc snap-in for MMC (Microsoft Management Console) in Windows XP Home Edition. Just follow steps below to install the Local Group Policy Editor. After the hack, Local Group Policy Editor can be ran and used just like the GPEdit.msc in Windows XP Professional Edition.

1. Download the system files required for installing GPEdit.msc on Windows XP Home Edition: GPEdit-for-XP-Home.zip (for English version only).
2. Run the InstallGPEdit.bat batch command script file to automatically install the Local Group Policy Editor MMC snap-in on Windows XP Home Edition.

   Tip: The batch script also support uninstallation of Group Policy Editor by using to “-ur” or “/ur” switch.

The batch file contains commands that automates the following process, which can also be done manually.

1. Copy the following files to %WinDir%\System32\ folder (typically C:\Windows\System32):

   appmgmts.dll
   appmgr.dll
   fde.dll
   fdeploy.dll
   gpedit.msc
   gpedit.dll
   gptext.dll

2. Create the following folders (if not exist):

   %WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy
   %WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy\ADM

3. Copy the following files into %WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy\ADM directory:

   system.adm
   inetres.adm
   conf.adm

4. Open a Command Prompt window (CMD), and execute the following commands one by on, after changing directory to %Windir%\System32\ folder:

   regsvr32 gpedit.dll
   regsvr32 fde.dll
   regsvr32 gptext.dll
   regsvr32 appmgr.dll
   regsvr32 fdeploy.dll

After the hack, start Local Group Policy Editor by going to Start -> Run, and enter gpedit.msc.

Related posts:

1. How to Open the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 7 and Vista
2. Group Policy Registry Key Entries for Windows 7/Vista/XP and Server
3. Install and Enable Remote Desktop in Windows XP Home Edition
4. Hack to Enable Windows Aero in Vista Home Basic Edition
5. Group Policy Login or Logon Scripts Not Running, Not Working or Not Executing