GroupPolicyRefreshTimeOffset

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Description

Determines the maximum time offset used when updating Group Policy settings for computers.

This entry specifies the maximum length of random offset time interval. The system calculates the actual offset at run time and adds it to the Group Policy update interval for that computer. The offset prevents clients with the same update interval from requesting updates simultaneously.

This entry stores the setting of the random time Minutes box on the Group Policy refresh interval for computers Group Policy. Group Policy adds this entry to the registry when you enable the Group Policy refresh interval for computers policy. If you disable the policy or set it to Not configured, Group Policy deletes the entry from the registry and the system behaves as though the value is 30 minutes.

A large value establishes a broad range and makes it less likely that client update requests overlap. However, updates might be delayed significantly.

Change method

To change the value of this entry, use Group Policy. This entry corresponds to the Group Policy refresh interval for computers policy (Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Group Policy).

Note

The Group Policy refresh interval for computers policy also lets you set the update interval. This interval is stored in the value of GroupPolicyRefreshTime (HKLM).

This entry applies only to Group Policy settings in the Computer Configuration folder.

If background updates are disabled (that is, the value of DisableBkGndGroupPolicy entry is 1, this entry is ignored.

This entry can appear in both HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER. If this entry appears in both subtrees, the value in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE takes precedence over the value in HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Tip

Consider notifying users that their policy is updated periodically so that they recognize the signs of a policy update. When Group Policy is updated, the Windows desktop is refreshed; it flickers briefly and closes open menus. Also, restrictions imposed by Group Policies, such as those that limit the programs users can run, might interfere with tasks in progress.

For detailed information about particular Group Policy settings, see the Group Policy Reference (Gp.chm) on the Windows 2000 Resource Kit companion CD.

For general information about Group Policy, see Group Policy in Windows 2000 Help.

To see a table associating policies with their corresponding registry entries, see the Group Policy Reference Table.

Related Entries

GroupPolicyRefreshTime (HKLM)

GroupPolicyRefreshTimeOffset (HKCU)

GroupPolicyRefreshTimeOffsetDC (HKLM)

DisableBkGndGroupPolicy