More Than One Local Policy Is in Effect After You Edit Several Local Policies (828538)

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

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when you change two or more policy settings in a local policy. When you do so, the following temporary registry key is not deleted after you quit Gpedit.msc:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy Objects

Note If you change only one policy setting, this registry key is deleted from the registry.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Manually Delete the Registry Key

To delete the registry key, follow these steps: 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.

Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate, and then click the following key in the registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy Objects
On the Edit menu, click Delete.

Method 2: Install the Microsoft Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)

For additional information about how to install GPMC, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

326469 You Must Install a Hotfix to Install GPMC on Windows XP Professional

818735 White Paper: Administering Group Policy by Using the Group Policy Management Console