Understanding Foreground and Background GPO Processing
By Darren Mar-Elia on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 10:06 PM
Group Policy Objects (GPOs) are processed by computer and user objects in AD. This processing occurs in two different ways. Specifically, GPOs are processed in the foreground during specific events and in the background on a periodic basis. Table 1 describes when each processing mode is triggered.
Overview
Group Policy Objects (GPOs) are processed by computer and user objects in AD. This processing occurs in two different ways. Specifically, GPOs are processed in the foreground during specific events and in the background on a periodic basis. Table 1 describes when each processing mode is triggered.
| Trigger | Policy Processing Type | What is Processed |
|---|
| Computer Restart | Foreground | Computer-specific Group Policy |
| Computer Shutdown | Foreground | Computer-specific Group Policy (specifically, shutdown scripts) |
| User Logon | Foreground | User-specific Group Policy |
| User Logoff | Foreground | User-specific Group Policy (specifically, logoff scripts) |
| On Domain Conrollers: every 5 mins | Background | User (if user is logged on) and computer-specific policy |
| On Member Servers and Workstations: every 90 mins | Background | User (if user is logged on) and computer-specific policy |
Table 1: GPO Processing Events