Users Can Edit Group Policy Log Gptext.log (812535)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you log to Windows Server 2003 as a non-administrative user, you can modify the Gptext.log file. Gptext.log is a system file that is created after you enable debug logging of your group policies. The file resides in drive:\WindowsFolder\Debug\Usermode, where drive is the drive on which Windows is installed, and where WindowsFolder is the Windows\System folder.

As the Gptext.log file is located in the Windows\System folder, the file's unchecked growth can potentially affect the available space on the system drive.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, enable Group Policy logging only when you troubleshoot Group Policy issues. When you finish troubleshooting group policies, disable logging and then delete the Gptext.log. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then press ENTER.
  3. Locate the following subkey in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  4. In the right pane, click GPTextDebugLevel, and then press DELETE.
  5. Click Yes.
  6. Locate the following subkey in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  7. In the right pane, click GPEditDebugLevel, and then press DELETE.
  8. Click Yes, and then quit Registry Editor.
  9. Open Windows Explorer.
  10. In Windows Explorer, locate the following folder:

    drive:\WindowsFolder\Debug\Usermode

    where drive is the drive on which Windows is installed and where WindowsFolder is the Windows system folder.
  11. Click Gptext.log, press DELETE, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:3/1/2004
Keywords:kbBug KB812535
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.