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️ Updated Apr 30, 20261. Introduction
Lepide Auditor now features a new Group Policy Comparison Report within the web console, designed to simplify the process of identifying differences between selected Group Policies across multiple domains. This report provides users with a clear, side-by-side comparison, whether the policies are from the same domain or different domains. By enabling users to efficiently track policy changes and ensure consistency, this new tool helps maintain control over group policy settings across the network. This guide outlines the steps to generate the Group Policy Comparison Report and leverage its features for enhanced policy management.
2. Verify the Group Policy Comparison Report
2.1 Verify the New Report
Login to the Web Console
Navigate to the Auditor tile
Under the Group Policy tree node, confirm that Group Policy Comparison is available
3. Configure Database for GPO Backup
3.1 Configure SQL Settings
Go to the Settings section of the web console.
Check and configure the SQL connection details for the Group Policy SQL Settings to ensure the report functions correctly.
4. Backup Group Policy
Follow the steps below to enable a Group Policy backup in the Lepide console:
Open the Lepide Main Console
Click on Settings
Select Component Management from the available options
Click on Added Domain as shown above.
In the right-hand panel, click on Create Group Policy Backup as shown in the image below.
Once clicked, the Group Policy Backup started.
NOTE: Group Policy Backup can also be scheduled. Click on Properties from the left panel click on Advanced Domain Configuration. Then select Active Directory Backup and click the side icon beside . Backup Setting wizard will open. Select the backup timings to schedule Group Policy Backup.
Group Policy Back up is successful
NOTE: If you change the database from web console in SQL Configuration (Fig 2). Then you need take Group Policy Backups again following the above steps.
If you change the default location of Group Policy backup, then you need again restart LepideDSPsvc service from task manager, then take Group Policy Backups again following the above steps.
5. Steps to Configure Group Policy Comparison and Generate a Report
Follow these steps to perform a Group Policy comparison and generate the report:
Log in to the Lepide Web Console
Click on the Auditor tile
In the left-hand navigation pane:
Expand the Group Policy node
Click on Group Policy Comparison Report
Group Policy Comparison Report
Click on Start Comparison
Select the Source Domain
In the Source Selection Wizard:
Choose the Source Domain
Select the Group Policy Name
Click Next
Target Selection
Expand and select the Target Group Policy to compare
Choose the group policy on which the comparison should be performed
Define the Comparison Criteria
Choose one/multiple of the followings:
Similar Settings
Different Settings
Present in the source but missing in the destination
Present in the destination but missing in the source
Click Finish.
The report will be displayed
6. Export the Report to a CSV File
Click Export to save the report as a .CSV file.
Now open the .CSV file to view the report.
Now open the .CSV file to view the report.
7. Excluded Group Policy Objects Nodes
The following Group Policy Object (GPO) nodes are excluded from comparison because they contain forcefully created settings or configurations that are unique to each environment.
Preferences, Windows Settings
No nodes will be shown,
Windows Settings
Name Resolution Policy
Scripts Startup/Shutdown
Deployed Printers
Windows Settings, Security Settings
Restricted Groups
Registry
File System
Wired Network (IEEE 802.3) Policies
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
Network List Manager Policies
Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies
User Configuration → Preferences
Policies
Software Settings
Windows Settings
Policies, Windows Settings, Security Settings
Software Restriction Policies
Application Control Policies
These exclusions ensure that comparison reports focus only on relevant, configurable GPO settings that have meaningful differences or similarities across environments.