1 What a computer template is
Computer Templates are a way to apply predefined settings and software to computers during imports and reinstallations.
A template holds the operating system, the computer name series, machine variables such as keyboard, locale and time zone, the organisational unit, software groups and more. Templates are used by Import Computers, Reinstall Computers and Edit Computer.
Task sequences must support templates
Your SCCM task sequences must be configured to support computer templates. See Task Sequence Configuration.
To create, edit or delete templates, see Manage Computer Templates.
2 Who can use and change templates
Each template is assigned to one or more security roles, and users only see the templates assigned to their own role.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Security Roles in the template | Decides which roles can pick the template. A new template is assigned to the role of the person who creates it. |
| Lock (padlock) | Users cannot change the value of a locked variable when they import or reinstall a computer. |
| Mandatory | Users must choose a value for the variable before they can continue. |
| Must always use a template | A setting in the security role: users of the role cannot import or reinstall computers without choosing a template. |
| Hide locked variables | A setting in the Settings menu: variables locked in a template are hidden from users instead of greyed out. |
Changing templates is a separate function that your administrator gives to selected security roles. Without it you can open a template to read it, but you cannot add, edit or delete templates.
3 Best practice
- Lock the variables users should not change (for example the organisational unit and the operating system) and make a variable mandatory when users must choose a value themselves.
- Use a computer name series in the template, so computers get consistent names automatically.
- Make it hard to bypass. Set Must always use a template on the security roles that import and reinstall computers, so the settings of the template always apply.
- Assign templates only to the roles that need them. Users only see the templates of their own role.
- Change many templates in one go with Edit Multiple Computer Templates instead of editing them one at a time.