To run gpupdate /force on Windows 10, right-click Start, choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin), type gpupdate /force, and press Enter. Windows reapplies all Group Policy settings for both the computer and your user account. When you see Computer Policy update has completed successfully and User Policy update has completed successfully, you’re done. Some policies ask you to sign out or restart before they take effect.
How to run gpupdate /force
- Right-click Start and choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). Click Yes on the prompt.
- Type
gpupdate /forceand press Enter. - Wait for both the computer and user policy updates to complete.
- If asked to log off or restart, type Y and press Enter, or do it later.
You can also press Windows + R, type gpupdate /force, and press Enter, but you won’t see the results because the window closes when it finishes.
gpupdate vs. gpupdate /force
- gpupdate applies only settings that have changed since the last update.
- gpupdate /force reapplies every policy, changed or not. Use it when a change isn’t showing up.
Windows also refreshes Group Policy automatically every 90 minutes (with a random offset of up to 30 minutes), and at startup and sign-in.
Useful options
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
gpupdate /force /target:computer |
Updates only computer policies |
gpupdate /force /target:user |
Updates only user policies |
gpupdate /force /boot |
Restarts automatically if a policy needs it |
gpupdate /force /logoff |
Signs you out automatically if a policy needs it |
gpupdate /wait:120 |
Waits up to 120 seconds for processing to finish |
Check that policies applied
- Run
gpresult /rto see which Group Policy Objects are applied to the computer and user. - Run
gpresult /h C:\report.htmlas admin for a detailed HTML report. - Open rsop.msc to see the resulting settings in a policy editor view.
Update Group Policy on remote computers
- In Group Policy Management on a domain controller, right-click an organizational unit and choose Group Policy Update.
- In PowerShell with RSAT installed, run
Invoke-GPUpdate -Computer PCName -Force.
If gpupdate fails
- “The processing of Group Policy failed”: The PC may not be able to reach a domain controller. Check your network or VPN connection, then run the command again.
- Check the details: Open Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > GroupPolicy > Operational.
- Time is off: Make sure the PC’s clock is correct. Big time differences can break domain authentication.
- Home edition: Windows 10 Home doesn’t include the Local Group Policy Editor or domain support, so most Group Policy settings don’t apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need admin rights to run gpupdate /force?
Users can refresh their own user policies, but computer policies need an elevated (admin) prompt. Running as admin updates both.
How long does gpupdate /force take?
Usually a few seconds to a minute. It can take longer on slow networks or with many policies.
Does gpupdate /force work on Windows 11?
Yes. The command is the same in Windows 11. Open Terminal (Admin) from the Start button’s right-click menu.
Is it safe to run gpupdate /force?
Yes. It only reapplies the policies already assigned to your PC. On busy domains, IT teams avoid running it on many PCs at once to limit network load.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.