However, individuals nowadays also want to manage their computers at home and work without an Active Directory (AD) on their Windows computers. It can become hectic to implement the same policies individually on each device. This is where you can configure the Group Policy Objects (GPOs) on a single computer, and then implement those configurations on other computers by exporting them from the source computer and then importing them on the target/destination computer. This article discusses how to export/backup these Group Policies from one Windows computer, and then import them to another. Note: The Home Edition of Windows does not come with a Group Policy Editor. Learn how to install Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) in Windows 11 and Windows 10 Home editions. The methods to backup (import) and restore (import) the Group Policy settings apply to Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7. However, it requires you to be logged in from an administrator account on both the source and destination computers.
Export and Import Group Policy Settings Using File Explorer
One of the methods is simply copying the group policy files from one PC to another. However, for this method to work, it is imperative that both operating systems are alike. You cannot export the policy settings from one Operating System version to another. You can check your OS edition and build by typing in winver in Run. Perform the following steps to export the Group Policy settings from a Windows computer: The new Group Policies will now be implemented on the target computer.
Export and Import Group Policy Settings Through Microsoft Management Console
Another method to export the Group Policy files from one computer and then import them on another is through the Microsoft Management Console. Follow the steps below to do so:
Export import GPO settings from one domain to another
Depending upon the Domain Controller version, you will need to follow similar steps to export import GPO settings from one domain to another:
Closing Words
These are the methods you can apply the same policies on different computers without having to navigate to each Group Policy on each computer individually. This is especially helpful for those who have multiple computers to manage but do not want to get into the hassle of configuring an entire domain in their environment.
