Windows

How to Reset Local Group Policy in Windows 11

Written by

Richard

Jul 19, 2021 Updated Apr 3, 2026 3 min read

How to Reset Local Group Policy in Windows 11

This article explains how to reset the local group policy editor settings back to their defaults in Windows 11. If your computer settings feel off or you need a fresh start, this guide will help you do it.

What is the Local Group Policy Editor?

The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) is a tool built into Windows 11. Think of it as a control center for your computer’s settings. It manages two types of settings:

Computer Configuration — Settings that apply to your computer, no matter who logs in
User Configuration — Settings that apply to your user account, no matter which computer you use

Sometimes these settings get messy or cause problems. When that happens, resetting them to their default state can help.

Why Reset Group Policy Settings?

Resetting group policy can fix configuration issues on your computer. It clears out incorrect settings and puts everything back to how it came from the factory.

How to Reset Local Group Policy in Windows 11

⚠️ Admin Privileges Required: You must be logged in as an administrator to complete these steps.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Click the Start button
Type “Command Prompt” in the search box
Look for “Command Prompt” in the search results
Right-click on it and select “Run as administrator”

Windows 11 Command Prompt running with administrator privileges for policy reset

Step 2: Run the Reset Commands

When Command Prompt opens, copy and paste the following lines one at a time and press Enter after each one:

RD /S /Q "%windir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"

RD /S /Q "%windir%\System32\GroupPolicy"

gpupdate /force

REG DELETE "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies" /f

REG DELETE "HKCU\Software\Policies" /f

REG DELETE "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Policies" /f

REG DELETE "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies" /f

REG DELETE "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate" /f

REG DELETE "HKLM\Software\Policies" /f

REG DELETE "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Policies" /f

REG DELETE "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies" /f

REG DELETE "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate" /f

These commands delete the old group policy settings from your system.

Step 3: Restart Your Computer

After running the commands, restart your Windows 11 computer. This allows all the new default settings to load properly.

Local Group Policy Editor interface displaying settings in Windows 11

What If You See an Error Message?

If you see a message saying “The system cannot find the file specified,” one of two things happened:

Your group policy settings have never been changed, so there’s nothing to reset
You’re using Windows 11 Home Edition

The Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. It is not available in Windows Home Edition.

Summary

What is it? The Local Group Policy Editor is a Windows 11 tool that controls computer and user settings.

Why reset it? Resetting clears bad settings and fixes configuration problems.

What happens when you reset? Your computer goes back to its default settings, and you start with a clean slate.

Key points to remember:

You need admin privileges to reset group policy
Use Command Prompt to run the reset commands
Always restart your computer after resetting
Group Policy Editor only works on Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions
Resetting fixes configuration issues and improves system performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Local Group Policy Editor?

The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) is a tool built into Windows 11.

Why Reset Group Policy Settings?

Resetting group policy can fix configuration issues on your computer. It clears out incorrect settings and puts everything back to how it came from the factory.

Why reset it?

Resetting clears bad settings and fixes configuration problems.

What happens when you reset?

Your computer goes back to its default settings, and you start with a clean slate.

Was this guide helpful?

Tags: #Windows 11

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, the owner and lead writer at Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast passionate about simplifying complex IT topics. His years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations have honed his ability to provide practical insights and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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