gpupdate: Refreshes Group Policies settings.
The command: "gpupdate" is on Windows 11, 10, .. available
"gpupdate" Excerpt from Microsoft Windows Help
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.3693]
(c) Copyright 1985-2023 Microsoft Corp.
C:\\WINDOWS>
Microsoftr Windowsr Operating System Group Policy Refresh Utility v5.1
c Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Description: Refreshes Group Policies settings.
Syntax: GPUpdate [/Target:[/Force] [/Wait:<value>]
[/Logoff] [/Boot] [/Sync]
Parameters:
Value Description
/Target: Specifies that only User or only Computer
policy settings are refreshed. By default,
both User and Computer policy settings are
refreshed.
/Force Reapplies all policy settings. By default,
only policy settings that have changed are
applied.
/Wait: Sets the number of seconds to wait for policy
processing to finish. The default is 600
seconds. The value '0' means not to wait.
The value '-1' means to wait indefinitely.
When the time limit is exceeded, the command
prompt returns, but policy processing
continues.
/Logoff Causes a logoff after the Group Policy settings
have been refreshed. This is required for
those Group Policy client-side extensions
that do not process policy on a background
refresh cycle but do process policy when a
user logs on. Examples include user-targeted
Software Installation and Folder Redirection.
This option has no effect if there are no
extensions called that require a logoff.
/Boot Causes a reboot after the Group Policy settings
are refreshed. This is required for those
Group Policy client-side extensions that do
not process policy on a background refresh cycle
but do process policy at computer startup.
Examples include computer-targeted Software
Installation. This option has no effect if
there are no extensions called that require
a reboot.
/Sync Causes the next foreground policy application to
be done synchronously. Foreground policy
applications occur at computer boot and user
logon. You can specify this for the user,
computer or both using the /Target parameter.
The /Force and /Wait parameters will be ignored
if specified.
The examples for the command "gpupdate"
Here are more detailed descriptions under each
`gpupdate` example:
Example 1: Update Group Policy immediately:
gpupdate /force
This command forces an immediate update of Group Policy on the computer, regardless of the normal update interval. The
`/force` flag is used to force the update.
Example 2: Update User Group Policies:
gpupdate /target:user
This command only updates the user group policies. This is useful if you want changes to take effect only at the user level.
Example 3: Update computer group policies:
gpupdate /target:computer
Only the computer group policies are updated here. This is relevant if changes were made at the computer level.
Example 4: Update Group Policy in the background:
gpupdate /wait:0
This command runs the Group Policy update in the background and waits 0 seconds before returning the user. The
`/wait:0` flag ensures that the command does not wait for the update.
Example 5: Displaying detailed information during update:
gpupdate /v
This command displays detailed information about the Group Policy update. The
`/v` flag stands for
"verbose" and outputs comprehensive information.
Example 6: Update remote computer:
gpupdate /force /target:computer /logoff
This command forces the computer group policies to be updated on a remote computer and then requests that the computer be restarted. The
`/force` flag is used to force the update and the
`/logoff` flag prompts the user to log out for the changes to take effect.
These expanded explanations should give you a better idea of ??how each
`gpupdate` command works and in which scenarios it is useful.
Important information, tips for the "gpupdate" command
Yes, there are some important considerations you should keep in mind when using the
`gpupdate` command in the Windows Command Prompt:
1.
Admin rights:
Make sure you run Command Prompt as administrator to successfully complete the
`gpupdate` command. Some updates require elevated privileges.
Right click -> "Run as administrator"
2.
Network connection:
The
`gpupdate` command can retrieve Group Policy changes from the network. Make sure you have a stable network connection, especially when running the command on remote computers.
3.
Restart required:
Sometimes after Group Policy updates, reboots are required for the changes to take effect. Therefore, check the output of the command for corresponding messages.
4.
Waiting for update:
If you want the user to wait for the update to complete, use the
`/wait` flag with a specific time.
gpupdate /force /wait:60
This command waits 60 seconds before returning the user.
5.
Patience with larger networks:
On larger networks, Group Policy updates may take some time. Be patient and wait for the command to complete.
6.
Specify update target:
Use the
`/target` option to specify the area of ??Group Policy you want to update. The options are
`user`,
`computer` or
`both`.
gpupdate /force /target:computer
7.
Update Options:
The
`/force` switch is used to force an immediate update. Be sure to use this switch carefully as it enforces changes regardless of the default refresh interval.
8.
Check logging:
Check the logging for possible errors or warnings. You can find the logs under
`%SystemRoot%\Debug\UserMode` and
`%SystemRoot%\Debug\UserMode`.
By considering these points, you can ensure that the Group Policy update using
`gpupdate` is carried out effectively and without any problems.
