Windows

How to Reset Local Group Policy in Windows 11

Written by

Richard

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

How to Reset Local Group Policy in Windows 11

You reset local group policy in Windows 11 by deleting specific registry keys and then running a command to recreate them with default settings.

Local Group Policy allows you to configure security and system settings on individual Windows computers. Resetting it can fix issues caused by incorrect configurations, especially if you’ve been experimenting with options like those found in the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

This process involves navigating to the Registry Editor and removing the ‘Machine’ and ‘User’ subkeys under 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies. You’ll need to perform this on a Windows 11 system, version 22H2 or later for the most straightforward application of the default settings.

After deleting these keys, you’ll run `secedit /configure /cfg 📂%windir%\inf\defltsec.inf /db 📂%windir%\security\local.sdb /verbose` to restore the default policies.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the commands RD /S /Q “📂%windir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers”, RD /S /Q “📂%windir%\System32\GroupPolicy”, and gpupdate /force. Then, delete specific registry keys and restart your computer to complete the reset.

Important Warning Before You Begin

Before you reset group policy Windows 11, know that this action removes all your custom settings and is permanent.

What is the Local Group Policy Editor?

The Local Group Policy Editor, often called gpedit.msc, is a tool that lets you change many settings for your Windows 11 computer.

Why Reset Group Policy Settings?

You might want to reset your policies if your computer’s acting strangely, you can’t access certain settings, or you’ve accidentally changed something you can’t undo. Resetting clears out the Registry.pol files and folder structures, forcing Windows to rebuild them from scratch.

How to Reset Local Group Policy in 🪟 Windows 11

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

Step 1Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Click the Start button.
Type cmd in the search box.
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Windows 11 Command Prompt running with administrator privileges for policy reset — windows 11 command prompt administrator

Step 2Run the Reset Commands

Resetting group policy in Windows 11 involves running specific commands in the Command Prompt. You’ll type these commands one by one to clear out old settings and apply the fresh ones.

💻Code

RD /S /Q "%windir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"
RD /S /Q "%windir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
gpupdate /force

The gpupdate /force command is essential because it forces Windows to refresh all policy settings immediately. After running these, you’ll want to clear the registry keys to ensure no leftover configurations remain:

🗝️Registry

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

Step 3 Restart Your Computer

Restarting your PC is required to finalize the reset and allow Windows to generate fresh policy files.

Local Group Policy Editor interface displaying settings in Windows 11 — windows 11 local group policy editor settings

Domain vs. Local Policy

It’s important to know the difference between local group policy on your PC and policies managed by a work or school network.

Summary

Resetting group policy Windows 11 helps fix problems caused by wrong settings, returning your system to its original state.

Can I reset a single specific policy instead of all of them?

No, the standard reset methods are designed to clear all local policies at once. To change a single setting, you must manually navigate to the specific path within the Group Policy Editor and set the status back to ‘Not Configured’ rather than performing a full system reset.

Why does ‘dcgpofix’ fail on my 🪟 Windows 11 machine?

The dcgpofix command is a server-side tool intended only for Windows Server Domain Controllers. It is not compatible with Windows 11 Home, Pro, or Enterprise editions. If you are not running a domain environment, this command will not function and is not needed for local policy management.

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Tags: #Windows 11

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About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips 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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