I recently setup LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution), in order to rotate my local admin passwords. One of the steps requires you to install the admx and adml files. The download for LAPS asks if you want those files installed and during the install, I chose yes.
The problem was when I pulled up Group Policy Management on the domain controller the LAPS options were not there. If you’re running into the same issue with LAPS or another administrative template the steps below should help.
Your Group Policy template files (.admx and .adml), are kept in one of two places:
First Location:
\yourdomainsysvolyourdomainPoliciesPolicyDefinitions (your .admx files go here)
\yourdomainsysvolyourdomainPoliciesPolicyDefinitionsen-US (change en-US to your language and copy .adml files here)
Second Location:
From your domain controller navigate to C:WindowsPolicyDefinitions (your .admx files go here)
C:WindowsPolicyDefinitionsen-US (replace en-US with your language folder’s name and copy .adml files here)
I always copy to all four locations just to be on the safe side. Once you’ve copied your adml and admx files you need to verify your other domain controllers have the same files.
I’m not sure this is necessary, but I always run a gpupdate /force on the domain controller after copying the files as well.
Now when I pull up Group Policy Management I can see the LAPS template.
That’s my quick fix for the issue of Group Policy templates not showing. I hope that helps!