Creating a File Screen Template in Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 provides several functional file screen templates, but when customized file screens are required, administrators can create new file screen templates. A file screen template contains file groups, screening policies, and notification settings.

1) File groups: The administrator can define the file types into groups, such as Office 2007 file groups containing *.docx for Microsoft Word files and *.xlsx for Microsoft Excel files.

2) Active screening and passive screening: An active screen does not permit a user to save file types by design, whereas a passive screen allows the file type, but it is logged for monitoring and reporting functionality.

3) Notifications: When a user attempts to save a file that matches the file screen designation, a notification can be generated. The notification can be the automatic generation of an email warning or event log, a script can be executed, and a report can be generated and sent out immediately.

To create a new file screen template, follow the below steps:

1. Open the File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) and expand it.

2. Double-click File Screening Management.

3. Select File Screen Templates. In the Actions pane, click Create File Screen Template.

4. In the Create File Screen Template window, enter a name for the template, for example, Company Standard File Screen Template.

5. Select the Active Screening option button.

6. In the File Group section, check the boxes next to the following file groups:

a) Audio and Video Files
b) Backup Files
c) Executable Files
d) System Files

7. Configure the notification settings on the E-mail, Event Log, Command, and Report tabs, as required.

8. On the Settings tab, review the configuration, and click OK to create the new file screen.

The new file screen template can now be used to create a new file screen.

NOTE: It is important to note that file screens are based on the filename or filename extensions defined within the file groups applied to the file screen. A savvy end user can simply rename a screened file to bypass the file screen.