Configure Group Policy domain controller selection

Policy ID
GPDCOptions
Scope
User Configuration
Supported on
At least Windows 2000
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
System › Group Policy

Description

This policy setting determines which domain controller the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in uses.

If you enable this setting, you can which domain controller is used according to these options:

"Use the Primary Domain Controller" indicates that the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in reads and writes changes to the domain controller designated as the PDC Operations Master for the domain.

"Inherit from Active Directory Snap-ins" indicates that the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in reads and writes changes to the domain controller that Active Directory Users and Computers or Active Directory Sites and Services snap-ins use.

"Use any available domain controller" indicates that the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in can read and write changes to any available domain controller.

If you disable this setting or do not configure it, the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in uses the domain controller designated as the PDC Operations Master for the domain.

Note: To change the PDC Operations Master for a domain, in Active Directory Users and Computers, right-click a domain, and then click "Operations Masters."

Options

  • When Group Policy Object Editor is selecting a domain controller to use, it should:
    • Use the Primary Domain Controller
    • Inherit from Active Directory Snap-ins
    • Use any available domain controller

Registry

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View all policies in this category (8)