Using 32 and 64 Bit WMI Filters For Group Policy

KB ID 0001341 

Problem

I was trying to deploy some client AV packages today, there was an x86 version (x32 Bit) and a x64 bit version of the client software. As I was deploying the software via Group Policy I needed to write a different policy for each package. Then I needed to make sure the x32 bit client only deployed to x32 bit machines, and the 64 bit client only deployed to x64 bit machines.

To do that you need a simple WMI filter.

Create an x86 (32 Bit) WMI Filter

Open the Group Policy Management Console (gpmc.msc) on a domain controller > Drill down to your domain > WMI Filter > New > Give it a sensible name (you will be picking it from a list) > Add > Paste in the following;

[box]SELECT AddressWidth FROM Win32_Processor WHERE AddressWidth =’32′[/box]

Click OK > Accept the warning > OK.

Create a 64 Bit WMI Filter

Open the Group Policy Management Console (gpmc.msc) on a domain controller > Drill down to your domain > WMI Filter > New > Give it a sensible name (you will be picking it from a list) > Add > Paste in the following;

[box]SELECT AddressWidth FROM Win32_Processor WHERE AddressWidth =’64′[/box]

Click OK > Accept the warning > OK.

Applying a WMI Filter to a GPO

With the group policy selected > Scope Tab > WMI Filtering > Select the appropriate filter.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Windows 10 Create a WMI Filter for Group Policy