What Is Group Policy Editor Jun 2026

These settings apply to the machine itself, regardless of who logs in. Examples include startup/shutdown scripts and system security levels.

It is important to distinguish between Local and Domain Group Policy:

Are you looking to , or do you have a specific setting you're trying to change right now? what is group policy editor

This exists on every single Windows PC (except Home editions). It only affects that one computer. You use it to change settings for the local machine and its users. This is what you open when you type gpedit.msc into the Run dialog.

Let's walk through a practical example to show the logic. To disable the Windows lock screen (the screen you swipe up before entering your password): These settings apply to the machine itself, regardless

If you manage a Windows computer in an office, a school, or even just a advanced home setup, you’ve likely heard the term "Group Policy." At its heart, the (formally known as the Local Group Policy Editor or gpedit.msc ) is a powerful Windows management tool that acts as a central command center for controlling the operating system’s behavior.

Each policy comes with a detailed description explaining exactly what it does. This exists on every single Windows PC (except

That’s it. You've just modified a deep Windows behavior using a single toggle that is completely invisible to a normal user.