Ini File preference items allow you to add or replace a property in a configuration settings (.ini) file or setup information (.inf) file, or to delete a property, section, or entire .ini or .inf file. (To copy any type of file to a new location or to modify its attributes, see the Files Extension.)

Each section in an .ini or .inf file uses the following format:

[SectionName]
PropertyName1=PropertyValue1
PropertyName2=PropertyValue2

Before you create an Ini File preference item, you should review the behavior of each action possible with this extension.

Creating an Ini File item

To create a new Ini File preference item

  1. Open the Group Policy Management Console. Right-click the Group Policy object (GPO) that should contain the new preference item, and then click Edit.

  2. In the console tree under Computer Configuration or User Configuration, expand the Preferences folder, and then expand the Windows Settings folder.

  3. Right-click the Ini Files node, point to New, and select Ini File.

  4. In the New Ini File Properties dialog box, select an Action for Group Policy to perform. (For more information, see "Actions" in this topic.)

  5. Enter configuration settings (.ini) or setup information (.inf) file settings for Group Policy to configure or remove. (For more information, see "Ini file settings" in this topic.)

  6. Click the Common tab, configure any options, and then type your comments in the Description box. (For more information, see Configure Common Options.)

  7. Click OK. The new preference item appears in the details pane.

Actions

This type of preference item provides a choice of four actions: Create, Replace, Update, and Delete. The behavior of the preference item varies with the action selected and whether the property already exists.

Create

Add and configure a property in an .ini or .inf file for computers or users. If the file does not exist, it is created.

Delete

Remove a property or a section from an .ini or .inf file, or delete an .ini or .inf file for computers or users.

Replace

Delete and recreate a property in an .ini or .inf file for computers or users. The net result of the Replace action is to overwrite the property. If the property does not exist, then the Replace action creates the property.

Update

This action has the same effect as Replace.

Ini file settings

File Path

Enter the path of an .ini or .inf file from the perspective of the client. Do not include quotes. If the file and parent folders do not exist, they are created.

Section Name

Type the name of the section within the file in which to configure a property or from which to delete a property. To delete the entire .ini or .inf file, leave this field blank.

Property Name

Type the name of the property to configure or delete. To delete the entire section of the file or the entire file, leave this field blank.

Property Value

Type a value for the property. Values may include quotation marks, but quotation marks are typically removed from the values when they are read by an application or the operating system. All values are interpreted as text.

This option is available only if the action selected is Create, Replace, or Update.

Important
  • If this field is left blank, the property is configured with an empty value, which is interpreted as if the property did not exist.
  • This field is disabled until you specify the property.

Additional considerations

  • The Section Name, Property Name, and Property Value fields are each disabled until you type text in the preceding field.

  • You can use item-level targeting to change the scope of preference items.

  • Preference items are available only in domain-based GPOs.

Additional references

  • Ini Files Extension
  • Network Shares Extension