built-in group

Windows NT contains three kinds of built-in groups:

• Built-in local groups:
  These are used to assign predefined sets of rights and permissions to users and groups of users, and they exist on all computers running Windows NT.

   

• Built-in global groups:
  These groups are used to automatically organize users into common groups for administrative purposes, and they exist only on Windows NT domain controllers.

   

• System groups:
  These are used by the operating system to automatically group users for system purposes, and they exist on all computers running Windows NT.

   

In Windows 2000, the built-in groups are similar in function, except that a fourth type, called a domain local group, is also available. Built-in groups in Windows 2000 are also administered differently using different tools. Also, system groups in Windows 2000 are referred to as built-in identities.