Set Directory Access Changes through Group Policy

Directory Access Changes allows your servers to record (when possible) both the old and the new values of an object after a change. This means that if a value was incorrectly changed, the old value may be record in your audit log. To configure this, you would have to log into each server and type:

Auditpol /set /subcategory:”Directory Service Changes” /Success:Enable

For one or two servers, this is OK. For hundreds, this is a problem. You can utilize Group Policy to configure this on each of your servers/clients.

Either create a new GPO, or use an existing one that is scoped to your requirements.

Expand Computer Configuration \ Policies \ Windows Settings \ Advanced Audit Policy Configuration \ Audit Policies \ DS Access

Double click Audit Directory Service Changes.

Check Configure the following audit events.

Check Success and/or Failure

Click OK.

Once this policy is applied and your clients/servers refresh their Group Policies, you can test this GPO.

On a client/server that had this policy applied, click Start. Type cmd and press Enter.

Type auditpol /get /subcategory:”Directory Service Changes” and press Enter.

You should see the configuration that you set.

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Jason Yoder, MCT

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