# Client policy backward compatibility

Starting with Parallels RAS v16.5, a new approach is used to manage client policies. In the previous versions, a client policy would apply the full set of parameters and replace the client settings completely hiding an enforced category. In RAS v16.5 (or newer), client policy settings are split into smaller groups with the ability to configure and enforce each group on the client side individually. For example, the administrator wants to re-design the policies to disable clipboard redirection only, leaving the rest of the local devices and resources settings available for the end users to control. In the previous version, this would not be possible. The new design allows an administrator to easily achieve this goal.

This section explains how the backward compatibility is achieved with older clients and how new clients retain compatibility with older server-side installations.

The new client policies implementation handles compatibility issues as follows:

* All settings found in older policies are sent to the client as if being sent from an older Parallels RAS server. When a client receives the policy, the **Connection properties** and **Options/Preferences** settings are set correctly from the old design point of view. If, however, the policy is configured in such a way that the user cannot change anything, the entire tab will be hidden (no need to display the options if all of them are disabled).
* The Parallels RAS Console handles old-style policy settings as if they are new and displays them using the updated graphical user interface.
* In terms of policies, when a Parallels RAS v16.5 client connects to a previous version of Parallels RAS, the client keeps working normally and all of the policy settings are functioning as expected.


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