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How to enable and start a service using Group Policy Preferences

Step 1 – Create a new GPO for Group Policy Preferences.

Step 2 – Select Computer Configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Services.

Step 3 –  Right-click on Services and choose New > Service.

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Step 4 – Under the General tab set the Startup: to Automatic, then click the ellipsis under Service Name: and select the service you would like to enable.

In this example, I selected the RPC service.

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Step 5 – .Under Service action: select Start service

Step 6 – Under the Recovery tab, select Restart the Service for all 3 recovery options, then click OK.

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Step 7 – Now apply the GPO to the Computer OU where the computers live and where you want this setting, and the next time GPUPDATE runs the service will be enabled.