How to View Local Group Policies that are Configured in Windows 11
Local Group Policies in Windows 11 control specific settings that change how your PC works, going beyond its normal defaults.
You can view these configured policies using a tool called the Local Group Policy Editor, which you open by typing gpedit.msc.
These policies often affect things like your PC’s security, how fast it runs, or how certain apps behave. For example, a policy called ‘Turn off the Store experience’ can directly stop the Microsoft Store from opening.
Knowing what local group policies are set on your system helps you understand why your PC might be acting a certain way, or if specific safety features are active.
Open the Local Group Policy Editor by pressing Windows key, typing gpedit.msc, and pressing Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration or User Configuration, then Administrative Templates and All Settings. Click the State column header to sort and view enabled or disabled policies.
Option 1Using the Local Group Policy Editor
1. Press the Windows key, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
To View Computer Configuration Policies
Computer configuration policies in Windows 11 can be viewed by opening the Group Policy editor and navigating to the 'All Settings' area under 'Administrative Templates'. The 'State' column shows which policies are active or inactive, helping you quickly see what's set up. This feature is especially helpful in Windows 11 version 23H2.
Windows 11's Group Policy editor sorts policies by their status in the 'State' column, showing active and inactive policies at the top. This sorting method, available in Windows 11 version 23H2, allows users to quickly see the status of all configured policies.
To View User Configuration Policies
A) In the left menu, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > All Settings.
B) Click the State column header to sort your settings by status.
Option 2Using Resultant Set of Policy (RSOP)
The Resultant Set of Policy, or RSOP, tool lets you see all the group policies currently active for your computer and user account. To use it, press the Windows key, type 'rsop.msc', and press Enter. Your computer will then display a list of only the settings that are currently turned on or off.
1. Press the Windows key, type rsop.msc, and press Enter.
2. Wait a moment while your computer processes the report. You will see a list of only the settings that are currently active or disabled on your system.
Option 3Command Line Reporting (gpresult)
The 'gpresult' command can create a detailed report showing all your computer's group policies, which is handy for checking settings. To get this report, open the Command Prompt as an administrator by typing 'cmd' in the Start menu and right-clicking. Then, type 'gpresult /h C:\policy_report.html' and press Enter to save the report to your C: drive.
- Open the Start menu, type cmd, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
- Enter the following command and press Enter:
gpresult /h C:\policy_report.html
3. Open the file C:\policy_report.html in your web browser to view a detailed breakdown of all applied policies.
Registry Storage Locations
Group policies are stored in the Windows Registry, and you can look at them using the Registry Editor. To open it, press the Windows key and 'R' together, type 'regedit', and press Enter. Then, go to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies. Be careful when editing the registry; mistakes can cause your computer to become unstable.
- Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies
The path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies contains system-wide policies for Windows 11. These policies affect all users of the computer. For policies that only apply to the current user, find them at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies.
How to Reset Local Group Policies
If you need to revert settings to default, you can use the Command Prompt with administrator privileges:
- Open an elevated Command Prompt.
- Run the following commands one by one:
rd /s /q "%windir%\System32\GroupPolicy"rd /s /q "%windir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"gpupdate /force
Summary
Active group policies in Windows 11 can be viewed using tools like the Group Policy Editor, RSOP, or the 'gpresult' command, and by checking the registry if needed.
Why can't I find gpedit.msc on 🪟 Windows 11 Home?
The Local Group Policy Editor is a feature exclusive to Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Microsoft does not include this tool in the Home edition. If you are using Windows 11 Home, you must rely on the Registry Editor or third-party tools to modify or view system policies.
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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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