GPO tool

Group Policy made searchable

A free ADMX browser or comparison tool for IT administrators. Search policies, find registry keys, and see exactly what each setting writes to the Windows Registry. Or compare two GPO backups to see exactly what has changed between them.

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Configure Group Policy domain controller selection

This policy setting determines which domain controller the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in uses.

If you enable this setting, you can which domain controller is used according to these options:

"Use the Primary Domain Controller" indicates that the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in reads and writes changes to the domain controller designated as the PDC Operations Master for the domain.

"Inherit from Active Directory Snap-ins" indicates that the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in reads and writes changes to the domain controller that Active Directory Users and Computers or Active Directory Sites and Services snap-ins use.

"Use any available domain controller" indicates that the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in can read and write changes to any available domain controller.

If you disable this setting or do not configure it, the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in uses the domain controller designated as the PDC Operations Master for the domain.

Note: To change the PDC Operations Master for a domain, in Active Directory Users and Computers, right-click a domain, and then click "Operations Masters."

Registry Information

VendorMicrosoft
ProductGroup Policy
CategoryGroup Policy
Applies toUser Configuration
Supported onWin2k
Registry Key[HKCU]SoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsGroup Policy Editor

Policy Settings

When Group Policy Object Editor is selecting a domain controller to use, it should:

Registry Key[HKCU]SoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsGroup Policy Editor
Value NameDCOption
TypeREG_DWORD
Values
  • Use the Primary Domain Controller (1)
  • Inherit from Active Directory Snap-ins (2)
  • Use any available domain controller (3)