How Group Policy reaches a computer
Local, site, domain, OU: the order policies apply in, computer vs user settings, and when they refresh.
- Level
- Beginner
- Length
- About 40 minutes
- Contents
- 3 lessons · 1 video · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 1 Oct 2026
Skills you'll practise
- Explain LSDOU processing order and which setting wins
- Distinguish computer and user configuration and when each applies
- Refresh policy correctly and know which settings need a restart or sign-in
Course outline
- 1.How Group Policy reaches a computerVideo · 5 min
- 2.The order Group Policy applies inLesson · 14 min
- 3.Foreground, background and the refresh intervalLesson · 13 min
- 4.Link order, Block Inheritance and EnforcedLesson · 12 min
- 5.How Group Policy reaches a computer: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 23 questions
- 6.How Group Policy reaches a computer: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
- 7.Final exam6 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- Microsoft Learn: Group Policy overview
- Microsoft Learn: Group Policy processing
- Microsoft Learn: gpupdate
- Microsoft Learn: gpresult
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