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MichaelScottK-1407 avatar image
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MichaelScottK-1407 asked LimitlessTechnology-2700 answered

Registry string change not applying to windows GUI

I have a GPO that correctly edits the registry string for screensaver timeout here --> Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaveTimeOut

That works... however the screensaver still isn't behaving according to what the registry thinks it should be set at. For example, let's say either the GPO or I manually change the above registry string to 600 (10 minutes). Then I open Lock Screen Settings and from there click Screen Timeout Settings, it is actually still set to 3 minutes (and the screensaver starts after 3 minutes of idle). That's what I had manually set the GUI to a week or so ago. NOW the weird part is, if I change it in the GUI screen saver settings window to, let's say, 7 minutes and apply, and then go back to regedit and refresh, the string NOW says 420!?? So the GUI will write to the registry but changes in the registry (on that particular string value) seemingly have no affect on the GUI and more importantly on the reality of the setting. If the GUI is set to 3 minutes but the registry says 10 (600 sec)... the screen saver starts after 3 minutes. The GUI is the controlling factor and the registry is being ignored somehow.

windows-serverwindows-10-general
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1 Answer

LimitlessTechnology-2700 avatar image
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LimitlessTechnology-2700 answered

Hi @MichaelScottK-1407

Are you sure you're applying the GPO to the correct OU?

As per this official document, "If you are configuring a computer side setting, make sure the GPO is linked to the Organization Unit (OU) that contains the computer. If the GPO configures a user side setting, it needs to be linked to the OU containing the correct user. Remember, GPOs cannot be linked to an OU that just contains security groups."

For more information, we could refer to:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/22457.10-common-problems-causing-group-policy-to-not-apply.aspx


I do hope this answers your question.

Thanks.


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