Order of Processing
LSDOU: Local, Site, Domain, Organizational Unit (OU). That is the order in which Group Policy applies. All local GPOs are applied first; this is followed by any applicable ones linked to a site. Next, GPOs linked at the domain are applied. Finally, GPOs linked to each OU are processed. These GPOs are applied in a top down approach. Higher OUs or levels such as a site or domain are applied first. Let’s look at a sample environment.
Group Policy is a solid tool and is very stable. Microsoft has made constant improvements to it since Windows 2000. It allows for the configuration and deployment of pretty much anything in your Active Directory environment. From deploying software to setting the default printer, it works. But when Group Policy is not being applied, we can fix it!
Microsoft has provided great guidelines and tools in order to troubleshoot. Let’s look at the top ten issues that can stop Group Policy from being applied. Be sure to check out the other articles in this series for more in-depth Group Policy troubleshooting.