Windows group policy force

Чтобы на компьютере Windows применились новые настройки локальной или доменной групповой политики (GPO), служба Group Policy Client (
gpsvc
) должна перечитать настройки политик и применить изменения. Настройки групповых политик в Windows обновляются при загрузке компьютера, при входе пользователя, и автоматически в фоновом режиме (в течении от 90 до 120 минут). В некоторых случаях администратору нужно, чтобы новые настройки политики применились немедленно, не дожидаясь указанных выше событий.

Автоматическое применение настроек групповых политик в Windows

Выше мы указали, когда настройки GPO автоматически применяются на клиенте:

• Настройки групповых политик, заданные в разделе секции Computer Configuration применяются при загрузке Windows.
• Настройки GPO из секции User Configuration применяются при входе пользователя.
• Фоновое обновление групповых политик выполняется автоматическая раз в 90 минут + случайное смещение времени (offset) в интервале от 0 до 30 минут (рандомный интервал позволяет уменьшить нагрузку на DC одновременным запросами от клиентов). Это означает, что новые политики гарантировано применятся на клиентах в интервале 90 – 120 минут после обновления файлов GPO на контроллере домена.

  Контроллеры домена по умолчанию обновляют настройки GPO раз в 5 минут.

Настройки фонового обновления политик можно изменить с помощью параметра следующих параметров GPO в разделе Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Group Policy:

• Set Group Policy refresh interval for computers — здесь можно изменить частоту обновления настроек GPO со стандартных 90 минут и значение смещения.
• Turn off background refresh of group policy — позволяет полностью отключить фоновое обновление настроек политик

Но в большинстве случаев трогать эти настройки не рекомендуется.

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Принудительное обновление групповых политик на компьютере Windows

Для принудительного, немедленного обновления (применения) настроек групповых политик на компьютере Windows используется утилита gpupdate.

Большинство администраторов не задумываясь используют для обновления политик команду:
gpupdate /force
.
Эта команда заставляет компьютер принудительно перечитать все политики с контроллера домена и заново применить все параметры. Т.е. ключ force указывает клиенту что нужно обратиться к контроллеру домена и заново получает файлы ВСЕХ нацеленных на него GPO. Это вызывает повышенную нагрузку на сеть и контроллер домена.

Простая команда
gpudate
без параметров применяет только новые/измененные параметры GPO.

Updating policy...
Computer Policy update has completed successfully.
User Policy update has completed successfully.

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Можно отдельно обновить параметры GPO из пользовательской секции

gpupdate /target:user

или только политики компьютера:

gpupdate /target:computer /force

Если некоторые политики нельзя обновить в фоновом режиме (обычно это клиентские расширения GPO, которые обрабатываются при входе пользователя), gpudate может заверишь сеанс текущего пользователя (logoff):

gpupdate /target:user /logoff

Или выполнить перезагрузку компьютера (некоторые политики, такие как установка программ в GPO, или логон скрипты применяются только при загрузке Windows):

gpupdate /Boot

Обновить групповые политики на удаленных компьютерах

Есть несколько способов для принудительного обновления настроек GPO на удаленных компьютерах Windows.

В самом простом случае вы просто можете выполнить команду gpupdate на удаленном компьютере:

• спомощьюутилиты PSexec:
  PsExec \\PC1 gpupdate
• через PowerShell Remoting (WinRM):
  Invoke-Command -computername PC1 -Scriptblock {gpupdate /force}

Если нужно массово обновить групповые политики на множестве компьютеров, воспользуйтесь консолью Group Policy Management Console (
GPMC.msc
).

Чтобы обновить политики на компьютерах, щёлкните в консоли GPMC по нужному Organizational Unit (OU) и выберите Group Policy Update.

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Консоль поочерёдно подключится к каждому компьютеру в OU, и вы получите результат со статусом обновления политик (Succeeded/Failed).

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Утилита создает на компьютерах задание планировщика с командой
GPUpdate.exe /force
для каждого залогиненого пользователя. Задание запускается через случайный промежуток времени (до 10 минут) для уменьшения нагрузки на сеть.

Если компьютер выключен, или доступ к нему блокируется файерволом, для него вернется ошибка ‘The remote procedure call was cancelled‘.

Также для удаленного обновления политики можно использовать PowerShell командлет Invoke-GPUpdate, который входит в модуль управления GPO. Например, для обновления политик пользователя на удаленном компьютере, выполните:

Invoke-GPUpdate -Computer PC01 -Target "User"

Вы можете задать случайную задержку обновления GPO с помощью параметра RandomDelayInMinutes. Таким образом вы можете уменьшить нагрузку на сеть, если одновременно обновляете политики на множестве компьютеров. Для немедленного применения политик используется параметр
-RandomDelayInMinutes 0
.

В сочетании с командлетом Get-ADComputer вы можете принудительно обновить настройки групповых политик на всех компьютерах (исключая неактивные) в определенном OU:

Get-ADComputer –filter {enabled -eq "true"} -Searchbase "ou=Computes,OU=SPB,dc=winitpro,dc=com" | foreach{ Invoke-GPUpdate –computer $_.name –RandomDelayInMinutes 10 -force}

При удаленном выполнении командлета Invoke-GPUpdate или обновления GPO через консоль GPMC на мониторе пользователя может на короткое время появиться черное окно консоли с запущенной командой
gpupdate
.

Group Policy is a powerful tool for Windows operating systems that helps to configure and maintain the settings, security policies, and behavior of user systems across Microsoft-based network. Traditionally, Group Policy updates occur during system restarts or at a scheduled interval, which might not be immediate enough for critical updates. However, administrators sometimes need to expedite this process to enforce policy changes immediately.

So, in this guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals of Group Policy, highlight the importance of updating these policies promptly, and offer step-by-step instructions on how to enforce a Group Policy update remotely.

What is Group Policy

Group Policy is part of the Microsoft Windows operating system and allows settings and configurations of operating systems, applications, and user settings to be managed centrally in an Active Directory environment. This means that every administrator has the power to specify and enforce settings such as security settings, permissions for users, software installations, and other configurations of the system for users and computers on the network. Typically, Group Policy will be applied using Group Policy Objects (GPOs), which link Active Directory containers, such as sites, domains, or organizational units (OUs).

What is a Group Policy update

A Group Policy update refers to the process that enables or refreshes the settings stipulated in the Group Policy Objects (GPOs) on any computer and user in an Active Directory domain. The settings defined in Group Policies do have refresh periods- however, for changes made in the group policy settings to be applicable immediately, administrators force the update.

There are many conditions under which a Group Policy update takes place:

• Background Refresh: By default, Group Policy settings are refreshed automatically on client computers after every 90 minutes, with a random offset of up to 30 minutes (hence up to 120 minutes).
• Manual update: The major method to get Group Policy updates to immediate effect is by using gpupdate (from Command line interface) immediately refreshing applied policies.
• Logon/Logoff refresh: Group Policy settings are announced at the moment of user logon and at computer startup.
• Force update: You can use the gpupdate /force command to reapplied all policies, whether changed or not, by the admins.

What are Group Policies

Group Policies are rules along with configurations that define the working of an operating system, applications, and user environments in a Windows network. They manage and configure the users and computers within a domain environment. Specific aspects of system behavior manipulated by Group Policies are:

• Security settings (password policies, lockout policies, etc.)
• User permissions (what users can do and cannot do, access control)
• Software deployment (installing or updating software remotely)
• System settings (desktop configuration, Start menu behavior, etc.)
• Network configurations (proxy settings, mapped drives, etc.)

Components of Group Policies

• Group Policy Objects (GPOs): These are the containers that hold the actual settings and configurations. A GPO can be linked to Active Directory containers such as sites, domains, or OUs.
• Local Group Policy: These are the settings as they exist directly on a computer outside of Active Directory that only affects that one machine.
• Default Domain Policy: The policy that applies equally to all users and computers in a domain until overridden by another policy.
• Group Policy Management Console (GPMC): The interface that can be used to create, manage, and troubleshoot Group Policies in a domain environment.

Prerequisites for Force Group Policy Update Remotely

To force a Group Policy Update remotely you have to use GPMC from domain-joinded computer that are running below Windows server or Windows OS.

• Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 with Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 8

How to Force a Group Policy Update Remotely

The easiest way to force a Group Policy update locally on a Windows system is through the Command Prompt by running the gpupdate command. This instantly applies any changes made to Group Policy settings without the need to reboot. For remote systems, administrators typically use Power Shell or remote management tools to trigger the update. These methods allow for efficient Group Policy management across multiple systems, even when they are not physically accessible.

Method 1: The Commands Prompt to Force the Local Group Policy Update

To force a Group Policy update locally, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and use the gpupdate command. This will refresh the Group Policy settings and apply any changes immediately without requiring a reboot. If you want to update both user and computer policies, simply run gpupdate /force. This method is quick and efficient for applying updates locally on your system.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges

• Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Power Shell (Admin). Alternatively, you could search for «Command Prompt» or «Power Shell» in the Start menu, right-click, and choose Run as Administrator.

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Step 2: Run the GPUpdate Command

Type on the Command Prompt window:

• This command forces all Group Policy applications, even when none have changed since the previous update.

Command: gpupdate /force

The output might look like:

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Step 3: Wait for Execution

• After execution of the command, you will see update messages such as whether some policies need to be restarted for their application.

Note: In case of seeing any errors or causing an update failure, be sure to check for things like user permission and network issues. Make sure the logon is an administrator and the system is connected to network.

Method 2: Using PowerShell To Do a Remote GPUpdate

PowerShell, however, gives you a very high-level way of performing a remote initiate of GP update since it is intended primarily for IT administrators when dealing with multiple machines on a network.

Step 1: Run PowerShell with Administrative Permissions

• Search for Windows PowerShell on the start menu, right-click, and Run as Administrator.

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Step 2: Enable PowerShell Remoting (if it is not enabled already)

• To enable PowerShell Remoting on the target system, use the command below:

Command: Enable-PSRemoting -Force

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• This command allows remote systems to accept PowerShell commands.

Step 3: Execute the Remote GPUpdate Command

• To initiate the Group Policy update on a remote machine, use the following PowerShell command:

Command: Invoke-Command -ComputerName <RemotePCName> -ScriptBlock { gpupdate /force }

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• Replace <RemotePCName> with the hostname or IP address of the target system.

Step 4: Verify the Update

The command returns results indicating what is the status of the updates. Where policies require a restart to apply then the restart must be done on the remote system.

Note: Make sure PowerShell Remoting is enabled on the remote system, and that the user account, by which the command is being run, has the necessary administrative rights on the target machine. If remoting is blocked, check firewall settings or network.

Method 3: Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)

Using remote management tools seems to be an efficient strategy for administrators of several machines to force Group Policy to refresh across a network. With these tools, you can run the script or commands on multiple systems in one go, without entering each of them.

Step 1: Log in to Remote Management Console

• Log in to your remote management console to manage many machines across the network.

Step 2: Run a PowerShell Script

• Create a new script within the remote management tool’s dashboard that includes the command:

Command: gpupdate /force

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Step 3: Execute the Script on Multiple Machines

• Once script creation is complete, it can be executed in a single click across multiple machines, thus saving time and effort in dealing with a large number of networks.

Step 4: Monitor the update status

• Most remote management tools will provide feedback on the status of the update process and alert you to any issues, such as failed executions or machines that need to be restarted.

How to Force Group Policy Update on Corporate Remote Computers

To force Group Policy updates on corporate remote computers, follow these steps:

Step 1: Use gpupdate

• Run gpupdate /force on the remote computer (via Remote Desktop or PowerShell) to immediately apply Group Policy changes.

Step 2: Use PowerShell

• Run the gpupdate /force command remotely using PowerShell with the Invoke-Command cmdlet.

Command : Invoke-Command -ComputerName RemoteComputerName -ScriptBlock { gpupdate /force }

Step 3: Use Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)

• In GPMC, right-click the target computer under Group Policy Results or Group Policy Modeling, and choose «Group Policy Update» to force an update.

Step 4: Schedule Task via Remote Tools

• Use Task Scheduler on the remote computer to run gpupdate /force at a specified time.

Step 5: Ensure Connectivity

• Ensure remote computers have network access to the domain controller for the updates to apply successfully.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

A few common issues may hit the administrator remote force of a Group Policy update. These few may provide some tips on troubleshooting to solve these problems:

1. Network Connectivity Problems: Local machine and remote machine must be connected to the same network or a stable connection should be there between these machines. Firewalls and routers should not block the communication between both systems.
2. Permissions Issues: Group Policy Update required Administrative Privileges. So, the account you use to update should have enough privileges on the remote system. The command will not execute without Admin rights.
3. PowerShell Remoting Disabled: To remotely update Group Policies with PowerShell, PowerShell remoting should be enabled on the remote machine. On the targeted machine, you can enable it using Enable-PSRemoting -Force.
4. Group Policy Update Not Applying: When the Group Policy update seems to execute but does not apply the settings, some policies require a restart or logoff. Always follow up with a reboot if needed.

Conclusion

It is an eminent task in the life of a system administrator to force Group Policy updates remotely since he/she will have to manage multiple systems at the same time. The methods of force applying the newly updated Group Policy include usage of Command Prompt, PowerShell, or remote management tools depending on what suits the administrator best. Updating regular Group policies would not only keep the system environment secured but also align configurations and solve system-wide issues effectively among users.

Imagine that you get a phone call from the security specialist who handles your firewalls and proxy servers. He tells you that he has added an additional proxy server for users going to the internet. You add a new GPO that affects all users so they can use the new proxy server via Internet Explorer. Usually, it takes between 90 and 120 minutes for a new GPO to be applied, but you need the new settings to be applied right now, and you cannot tell your users to log off and log back in to apply them. In cases like these, you might want to bypass the normal wait time before background policy processing kicks in. You can do so using the command prompt, the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) or PowerShell.

What is GPUupdate

Group Policy is a valuable feature of Active Directory that enables administrators to apply a wide range of settings to users and computers. It is critical for security and productivity that changes to Group Policy objects (GPOs) and new GPOs be applied in a timely manner.

Accordingly, Group Policy is automatically refreshed whenever a domain member computer is restarted or a user logs on to it. It is also automatically updated at a defined background refresh interval (by default, every 90 minutes with a randomized offset of up to 30 minutes).

Sometimes, however, administrators need apply GPO settings to client systems immediately, such as when they create a new policy or make an important change to an existing policy. Furthermore, sometimes they want to not only apply changes but also reapply GPOs that have not been changed usually in order to revert unwanted changes made on local machines.

This document walks you through the ways in which you can force a Group Policy refresh.

GPUpdate vs GPUpdate /force command

The gpupdate /force command is one of the most frequently used commands for updating group policy. The /force switch enables administrators to re-apply all policy settings. However, it’s important to consider that using the /force switch would result in a significant load on Domain Controllers (DCs), especially when there is a large number of Group Policy Objects (GPOs) in the environment.

If you have a substantial tenancy or a large number of GPOs, it is preferable to run gpupdate without the /force switch to implement new policy settings. This approach will only receive changes or new group policies, thereby reducing the workload on both the client and domain controllers.

How to force group policy update

To force a Group Policy update, you can use any of the following options:

• The gpupdate /force command
• The Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
• PowerShell

Prerequisite: Configure Firewalls before Applying GPOs

Before forcing reapplication of GPOs using any of these options, make sure the firewalls permit inbound network traffic on the applicable ports (by default, TCP port 135), as detailed in the Microsoft documentation.

Force a Group Policy Update using the Command Prompt

gpupdate is a Microsoft Command shell command for Group Policy update on Active Directory computers. It is included in all Window OS versions.

The /force Parameter

Running the gpupdate command with no parameters applies only changed policy settings and new GPOs. But sometimes you need to also re-apply all GPOs that have not changed – such as to revert unwanted modifications made by local administrators (or adversaries who have compromised their accounts).

In that case, you need to use the  /force parameter, as follows:

gpupdate /force

There are two key considerations to keep in mind when using this parameter to update Group Policy settings:

• You must physically trot out to each user machine and run the gpupdate /force command manually. (To update computers remotely, use PowerShell, as described below.)
• Using the /force switch can result in significant load on DCs and clients, especially when there are large number of GPOs in an environment. In those cases, it is preferable to run gpupdate without the /force parameter.

Additional Parameters

Running gpupdate while a user is logged on to a machine immediately gives Windows the new GPO settings (assuming, of course, that the domain controller has the replicated GPO information).

If the user is not logged on, in Windows XP and later, by default, GPO settings are processed only at the next logon time. But if you use the right switches, gpupdate can figure out if newly changed items require a logoff or reboot to be active:

• /Logoff – Using this switch will figure out if a policy change requires the user to log off. If not, the new settings are applied immediately; if so, the user will automatically be logged off and the  Group Policy settings will be applied when they log back in.
• /boot – Similarly, if Fast Boot is enabled, a restart is required to apply GPOs that have Software Distribution settings. Running gpupdate with the /boot switch will figure out if a policy has something that requires a reboot and automatically reboot the computer. If the updated GPO does not require a reboot, the GPO settings are applied, and the user remains logged on.

Both the /Logoff and /boot switches are optional.

Other useful switches options are available in conjunction with /force

• /Logoff– Log the user off after the Group Policy settings have been updated.
• /Sync – Change the foreground (startup/logon) processing to synchronous.
• /Target – Indicates whether to update policy settings for only Users or Only Computers. Both User and Computer policy settings are updated by default.
• /Boot – Restart the machine after the Group Policy settings are applied.

Force a group policy update using the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)

The second way to force a Windows Group Policy update is to use the Group Policy Management Console. While the gpupdate command updates all policies for all OUs, GPMC gives you the option to limit the update to a specific OU. Take these steps:

1. Open the GPMC (Group Policy Management Console)
2. Link the GPO to an OU.
3. Right-click the desired OU and choose Group Policy Update” option.
4. Confirm the action In the Force Group Policy Update dialog that appears, by clicking Yes.

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Force group policy update remotely on computers using Powershell

To update Group Policy remotely, you need to use Powershell. Since Windows Server 2012, you can use the cmdlet Invoke-GPUpdate. to force a Group Policy remote update on Windows client computers. You will need to have both PowerShell and the Group Policy Management Console installed. The cmdlet produces no output.

Examples of using Involve-GPUpdate for Remote Group Policy Update

Another advantage of using the Invoke-GPUpdate cmdlet is that the “RandomDelayInMinutes” option allows you to adjust the delay. If you want to an immediate Group Policy update, set it to 0, as shown here:

Invoke-GPUpdate –Computer LHE-LT-ADAM -RandomDelayInMinutes 0

In this instance, a computer identified as “LHE-LT-ADAM” was immediately restarted the after starting a Group Policy update. The cmdlet produces no output. The only downside to using this parameter is that the users will get a cmd screen pop-up.

If you want to force an update on all computers, run the code below. It will get all computers from the domain, put them into a variable, and run the commands for each object.

$compgpoupd = Get-ADComputer -Filter *
$compgpoupd | ForEach-Object -Process {Invoke-GPUpdate -Computer $_.name -RandomDelayInMinutes 0 -Force}

The only downside to using the RandomDelayInMinutes parameter is that the users will get a cmd screen pop-up.

This code will get all computers from the domain, put them into a variable and run the commands for each object.

Configure firewalls before applying GPOs

Make sure the firewalls permit inbound network traffic on particular ports before opening your GPMC. Starting from Windows Server 2012, there is a starter GPO in Group Policy Editor called “ The Group Policy Remote Update Firewall Ports”, which verifies whether TCP port 135 is set up for remote scheduled task management.

To enable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security with a GPO:

1. Launch the interface for Group Policy Management.
2. In the navigation pane, expand the following: Forest (YourForestName) => Domains (YourDomainName) => Group Policy Objects: (YourDomainName) => right-click the GPO you wish to edit, and select Edit.
   

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3. From the navigation bar of the Group Policy Management Editor, Select Computer Configuration => Policies =>  Windows Settings =>  Security Settings => Windows Firewall with Advanced Security => Advanced Security for Windows Firewall.
   

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GPO background refresh

All Group Policy clients process GPOs when the background refresh interval comes to pass – but they process only those GPOs that are new or have changed since the last time the client requested them.

However, for security settings, the Group Policy engine works differently. It asks for a special background refresh just for security policy settings. This is called the background security refresh and is valid for every version of Windows Server. Every 16 hours, each Group Policy client asks Active Directory about all the GPOs that contain security settings (not just the ones that have changed) and reapplies those security settings. This ensures that if a security setting has changed on the client (behind the Group Policy engine’s back), it’s automatically reverted to the proper setting within 16 hours.

Background refresh process for local GPOs

As noted earlier, one key reason you might need to force a Group Policy refresh is that local administrators (or adversaries or have compromised their accounts!) can make changes to settings on their machines that nullify a policy you’ve set with a GPO. Those changes can hurt productivity or even security. For example, a local admin might override your GPO setting that prohibits USB drives, enabling both data theft and introduction of malware.

Accordingly, you should grant local administrator rights only when they are truly needed. Regular users should never be given local admin rights.

Mandatory reapplication of non-security group policy settings

As noted above, the regular background update applies only to new and changed GPOs. However, you can modify the regular background refresh to reapply certain settings, even if the GPOs haven’t changed. This is a good way to fix exploits that aren’t security related.

Specifically, you can choose to mandate the reapplication of the following areas of Group Policy during each initial policy processing and background refresh:

• Registry (Administrative Templates)
• Microsoft Edge Maintenance
• IP Security
• EFS Recovery Policy
• Wireless Policy
• Disk Quota
• Scripts
• Security
• Folder Redirection
• Software Installation
• Wired Policy

How Netwrix Can Help

Group Policy is an extremely powerful way to manage settings for your Windows infrastructure. But it is also complex. Indeed, after years of mergers and acquisitions, employee turnover, technology changes, and so on, Group Policy becomes nearly impossible to manage effectively using manual method and native tools.

Netwrix Endpoint Policy Manager simplifies Group Policy management and enables you to clean up and consolidate your GPOs. As a result, your organization will enjoy faster login, higher security, better uptime, and fewer misconfigurations.

Conclusion

Keeping Group Policy settings up to date across your IT estate is critical for productivity, security, compliance and more. While GPO changes are automatically applied at the next refresh interval; you can also force a refresh to apply them immediately. As an extra safety measure, you can ensure that certain Group Policy settings are always reapplied, even if they have not changed, in order to revert any unwanted changes made by local administrators.

FAQ

How to update group policy?

To update Group Policy manually, administrators can use the gpupdate /force command, the Group Policy Management Console (GMPC) or PowerShell. /force switch enables the administrators to re-apply all policy settings

What does gpupdate /force do?

Group Policy is updated automatically according to a background refresh schedule. However, sometimes an update or new policy needs to take effect sooner, or the organization needs to revert improper policy changes made by local administrators. In those cases, an administrator can use the gpupdate command with the /force parameter to apply a Group Policy update immediately.

How long does gpupdate /force take to update Group Policy?

The time required to force an update Group Policy depends on the number of policies being applied. Updating a small number of policies can take just a couple of minutes, but typically, the process involves a 90-minute application time plus a 30-minute delay for workload distribution.

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The command gpupdate /force is used to force the update of group policies that are applied by your company. Changes made in the Group Policy are not applied immediately but after 90 mins by default (with a ~30 min offset to spread the load). By using the GPUpdate command we can force the update.

Group Policies are used to change security settings and for system management (like deploying printers or mapping network drives). For troubleshooting IT problems, it’s sometimes necessary to update the group policy manually.

GPUpdate vs GPUpdate Force command

The gpupdate /force command is probably the most used group policy update command. When you use the /force switch, all the policy settings are reapplied. For most use cases this is perfectly fine, but keep in mind, when you have a lot of group policies objects (GPO) or in a large environment, using the /force will put a huge load on the domain controllers.

If you have a large tenant or a lot of GPO’s, then it’s better to only run gpupdate without the /force switch to apply new policy settings. This will get only the changes or new group policies, reducing the load on the client and domain controllers.

# Reapply all policies
gpupdate /force

# Get only the changed / new group policies
gpupdate

Update only user or computer group policies

If you have a large environment or need to update the group policies on a lot of computers at the same time, then it can be useful to only update what is needed. This will reduce the load on the domain controllers and it’s of course faster.

To do this you can use the /target switch. This allows you to update only the user or computer GPO’s.

# Update only the user policies
gpupdate /target:user

# Update only the computer policies
gpupdate /target:computer

Automatically reboot or logoff after GPUpdate

Not all policy changes are applied immidiately. Due to Fast Boot, for example, are some settings only applied when the users logs in on the computer. Some settings even require a reboot to be applied.

With the use of the /logoff or /boot switch, we can let gpupdate figure out if a logoff or reboot is necessary. To be clear, if you run gpupdate /boot, then the computer will only reboot if a policy change requires it. Otherwise, the policy will be applied immediately without the reboot.

• GPUpdate /logoff is needed for example after policy changes in the Active Directory like folder redirections or printers. Changes in the AD are only applied when the user logs in on the computer.
• GPUpdate /boot is for example needed when you create Software Distribution changes.

Run GPUpdate on a Remote Computer

Sometimes you may need to update quickly the group policies on multiple computers because you changed the internet proxy settings or maybe to replace a printer for example. There are couple of ways to run GPUpdate on a remote computer

Using the Group Policy Management Console

You can initiate a group policy update on a whole OU with the Group Policy Management Console. It has to be an OU with only computer objects in it, so you can’t use the method on a user OU. Simply right-click on the OU where you have changed a policy and click on Group Policy Update

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This will update the user and computer policies on all the computers in the given organization unit. The nice thing is that it will as for confirmation and show you how many computers are going to be updated.

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After you have confirmed the update the policies will be updated and you can see the status of each computer. In this example 5 computers where turned off, so the update failed.

Use PowerShell to run GPUpdate on a Remote Computer

We can also use PowerShell to run gpupdate on remote computers. The only requirement is that you have Windows 2012 or later. Running it from Windows 10 is also possible, but then you need to open the PowerShell windows with a domain admin account.

The basis of the command is the Invoke-GPUpdate cmd. We also need to specify the computer and the RansomDelayInMinutes.

The RandomDelayInMinutes is used to lower the network load when you update a lot of computers at the same time. You can set it between 0 and 44640 minutes (31 days). Use 0 to run the update immediately.

Invoke-GPUpdate -Computer "labrat01" -RandomDelayInMinutes 0 -Force

If a user is logged on at the computer, then the Invoke-GPupdate command will ask the user for confirmation. By using the -force switch we can run the updates without the confirmation.

With this, we can create a small script to target all computers in a specific OU and run GPupdate on them.

# Spread the load by setting the delay to between 1 and 30 minutes
$random = Get-Random -Minimum 1 -Maximum 30

# Get the computers in an OU to update and run GPUpdate
Get-AdComputer -SearchBase "OU=Computers,OU=Lab,DC=lazyadmin,DC=com" -Filter * | ForEach-Object -Proces {Invoke-GPUpdate -Computer $_.Name -RandomDelayInMinutes $random -Force}

Or if you want to use a list of computers:

# Based on a list
$computers = "labpc01,labpc02,labpc03"
$computers | ForEach-Object -Proces {Invoke-GPUpdate -Computer $_ -RandomDelayInMinutes $random -Force}

Wrapping Up

I hope this article helped you with the GPUpdate /force command. If you have any questions, then just drop a comment below.

Group Policy plays a pivotal role in defining and enforcing configurations across Microsoft Windows-based networks. Keeping Group Policy settings current and synchronized is vital for maintaining security and compliance, as well as efficient system operations. In this guide, we will look at the essentials of Group Policy, the significance of timely updates, and provide detailed instructions on how to remotely force a Group Policy update.

What is Group Policy?

Group Policy is a powerful management tool in Windows environments that allows administrators to define and control various system settings and configurations. It enables centralized management of security policies, software installations, network configurations, and more across a distributed network of servers and client computers.

It is important to ensure that Group Policy settings are properly maintained. Outdated policies may expose systems to vulnerabilities, hinder performance, and result in compliance issues. Timely synchronization ensures that all devices in a network adhere to the latest security standards and operational requirements.

What are Group Policies?

Group Policies consist of a set of rules and configurations that control the behavior of devices and users within a Windows network. These policies are created, managed, and applied from a central location, one or a number of Active Directory (AD) domain controllers hosting the core domain management roles.

What is a Group Policy update?

Group Policy updates are essential for ensuring that policies are applied consistently and efficiently. These updates refresh policy settings on client computers periodically, ensuring that they adhere to the latest configurations defined by administrators.

By default, Group Policy updates occur at regular intervals, with a default refresh interval of 90 minutes, offset by a random time to prevent network congestion. Additionally, Group Policy updates are triggered when a computer starts up or when a user logs in.

The difference between Group Policy updates and replacements

Group Policy updates are incremental and non-destructive. They apply only the changes made to policy settings, preserving existing configurations. In contrast, Group Policy replacements would entirely replace the existing policy, potentially causing disruptions and unintended consequences.

Benefits of keeping Group Policies up to date

Up-to-date Group Policies ensure that security configurations, such as password policies, firewalls, and access controls, are in line with the latest security standards. This reduces the risk of security breaches and helps maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

Current policies optimize resource allocation, enhancing system performance. Outdated or conflicting policies can lead to resource bottlenecks, slowdowns, and operational inefficiencies.

Timely Group Policy updates allow administrators to roll out policy changes and configurations seamlessly. This ensures that all connected devices promptly adopt the new settings, preventing gaps in security or functionality.

Forcing Group Policy update: Methods and commands

Manual initiation of policy updates is helpful in several scenarios, which could include:

• Urgent Policy Change: When a critical policy change needs to be implemented immediately.
• Troubleshooting: To resolve issues caused by outdated or misconfigured policies.
• Remote Management: Forcing a policy update on remote computers.

Manually forcing a Group Policy update on the local computer requires the use of the “gpupdate /force” command, as follows:

1. Open a Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
2. Type the command: gpupdate /force and press Enter.
3. The command will initiate a forced Group Policy update, applying all policies without waiting for the next scheduled refresh.

Ensure policies are up to date

It is also possible to check which policy version a client is in receipt of by date, as well as subsequently forcing a policy update where necessary:

How to open Command Prompt for policy updates

1. Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
2. To view the last policy update time, enter the command:  gpresult /r

Verify and force updates

1. Check the time of the last policy update: gpresult /r
2. Compare it to the current time and the refresh interval (default 90 minutes).
3. If the last update is overdue, force an update:gpupdate /force

PowerShell commands for remote Group Policy update

Administrators who prefer PowerShell to the Windows command line can use cmdlets to update Group Policy, as well as invoking gpupdate for remote systems:

1. Open PowerShell with administrative privileges.
2. To initiate a Group Policy update, use the cmdlet: Invoke-gpupdate -Force

PowerShell offers more advanced scripting and automation capabilities, making it suitable for complex Group Policy management tasks and remote updates, as well as enabling the nesting of such commands in a broader automation script, using the outputs in subsequent scripts, or running them without the need of an interactive user.

You might also be interested in our PowerShell script to force a GPUpdate Remotely.

Troubleshooting “gpupdate /force not working” issues

Gpupdate is a standard Windows component, which typically runs without issue. In the event of a failure to force Group Policy update, these are the likely obstacles and means to overcome them:

• Insufficient Permissions: Ensure that you have administrative rights to execute the command.
• Network Connectivity: Verify that the computer has network connectivity to the domain controller.
• Firewall Rules: Check firewall rules to ensure that the necessary ports for Group Policy communication are open.

In most cases, a simple restart of the computer can resolve update issues. Failing that, it is important to remember that Group Policy updates rely on DNS, just like the rest of Active Directory. Ensure that DNS resolution is working correctly, perhaps using nslookup against a domain controller. Finally, examine event logs for error messages related to Group Policy updates, which may provide additional clues to any underlying issues.

Group Policy Update best practices

To ensure the smooth execution of Group Policy, as well as appropriate controls and configurations and a high-quality user experience, consider the following best practices:

Tune update frequency

Regularly scheduled updates, based on the default 90-minute interval, are typically sufficient for most organizations. However, consider adjusting the interval if your environment requires more frequent policy updates.

Consider user and device impact

Plan updates during non-business hours to minimize disruption to users. Consider using maintenance windows to schedule updates during specified time frames.

Coordinate with maintenance windows

Coordinate policy updates with other maintenance tasks, such as software updates and system patching, to minimize network congestion and disruptions.

Document policy changes

Maintain thorough documentation of policy changes, including the reasons for the changes and their expected impact. This documentation helps troubleshoot issues and ensures that all stakeholders are informed.

Maintain policy consistency and implement critical changes with Gpupdate

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity and network management, Group Policy updates stand as a fundamental component in maintaining the security, compliance, and efficiency of Windows environments. The ability to remotely force Group Policy updates using commands such as “gpupdate /force” and PowerShell cmdlets provides administrators with powerful tools for maintaining policy consistency and implementing critical changes in a timely manner.

By understanding the importance of keeping Group Policy settings current and synchronized and adhering to best practices, organizations can navigate the complexities of Windows configurations more effectively. In a world where network security and performance are paramount, mastering the art of Group Policy updates is an essential skill for any cybersecurity expert or network administrator. NinjaOne policy management tools build on Group Policy and Gpupdate to provide an even greater number of configuration possibilities and enable remote updating of Group Policy configuration.

If you’re managing multiple endpoints, this trick is a game-changer. Watch our video on how to force a Group Policy update remotely.

Simplify Active Directory management

UnderstandingGroup Policy allows IT administrators to configure settings and enforce consistent rules for users within Active Directory. Ensuring Group Policy updates are consistently deployed ensures all your devices have the latest security configurations and optimizes resource allocation for better performance.

NinjaOne makes it easy to deploy Group Policy updates at scale. It also enhances Activity Directory user management by reducing manual workloads and streamlining workflows with PowerShell automation. IT teams can also easily manage Windows devices and view detailed information on user accounts on an Active Directory Domain Controller. Technicians can also remotely unlock users, reset passwords, and manage groups on AD via NinjaOne’s all-in-one, user-friendly dashboard. Discover why NinjaOne is G2’s top solution for remote monitoring and management. Get started by watching a demo or signing up for a 14-day free trial.

Additional Group Policy-related resources

• Insider Tips: Using GPO to Set Default Browser
• What is Group Policy Management Console?
• What is a Software Restriction Policy (SRP)?
• What is Group Policy in Active Directory
• How to Disable Automatic Restart in Windows 10
• 4 Ways to Easily Disable Windows Updates
• How to Connect to Active Directory Remotely and Manage Users