Steps for Restoring the Default Local Group Policy Settings in Windows 11

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The content provides a step-by-step guide on how to reset local group policy editor settings to default in Windows 11. This task may be necessary if incorrect settings have been set in the policy editor. The process includes logging in as an administrator, executing specific commands in the Windows Command Prompt, and rebooting the system.…

This post shows students and new users how to factory reset the local group policy editor settings to the default in Windows 11.

Windows system’s local group policy editor (gpedit. msc) is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in available in Windows, including Windows 11, where users can manage all Computer Configuration and User Configuration local settings to control how Windows functions and turn features on or off.

In a centralized environment, the Computer Configuration container settings apply to the computer, regardless of who logs on to the system. Settings in the User Configuration container apply to users, regardless of which computer they log on to.

Sometimes, we make mistakes and can set the incorrect settings in the policy editor. And because the group policy editor has thousands of individual settings, it can be difficult to go through all configuration settings and find the specific change configured incorrectly.

Sometimes, resetting all the settings to their default state and starting over is okay. If you find yourself in situations where you need to reset its GPO editor, the steps below should be handy.

To get started resetting Windows 11 local group policy editor, follow the steps below:

Reset the local group policy settings in Windows 11

When you want to reset all the system’s settings in the local group policy editor, use the steps below. First, you must be logged on as an administrator, or your account must be a member of the administrator’s group.

When you sign in, open Windows Command Prompt as administrator. Click on Start and use the search box to search for Command Prompt. Then, please select it from the relevant search results as highlighted below.

When the Command Prompt app opens, copy and paste the lines below and press Enter.

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

That will reset the local group policy editor in Windows 11. In most cases, settings are applied correctly when you reboot Windows. So restart your Windows computer for all the settings to be fully applied.

For some Windows 11 users, group policy editors might not be available. I believe the Windows group policy editor is unavailable on Windows Home Editions.

It is available on Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

If you run the command and it returns a message that the system cannot find the specified file, there are no changes in your system’s group policy editor settings, or you’re using Windows Home Edition.

The system cannot find the file specified.

The relevant file should be created whenever you make changes to the GPO.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to reset the Windows 11 local group policy editor. If you find any error above, please use the comment form below to report.

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9 responses to “Steps for Restoring the Default Local Group Policy Settings in Windows 11”

  1. Cindy Avatar
    Cindy

    “Access denied” 11 sure needs a lot of work.

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