Group Policy Background Processing Query

[Michael]

Hello all,

 

I have a query with regards to Group Policy Background Processing, as I've identified an issue with GPP mapped drives on Windows 10 disappearing then reappearing, which consequently closes Windows Explorer (if a window is open), or sometimes users see an error that drive X: for example is unavailable.

 

Why this is an issue on Windows 10 and not Windows 7 is unclear, but I've narrowed it down to two GPOs:

 

Comp Config > Policies > Admin Templates > System > Group Policy -

 

- Turn off background refresh of Group Policy

 

This policy has its uses, however I may be forced to enable it as this policy below lacks one setting all others have:

 

- Configure Drive Maps preference extension policy processing

 

This policy lacks 'Do not apply during periodic background processing'. This isn't a RSAT issue, as the same options are available on both the server and RSAT instances.

 

Looking online, some users report the same issue with Windows 8.1 and it looks like Windows 10 has the same issue.

 

The third option of course is to extend User/Computer policy refresh periods, but for now I've enabled 'Turn off background refresh of Group Policy' to see if this solves the problem.

 

Has anyone else come across this issue? It does appear that Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 behave differently when it comes to background GPO refreshes, unlike Windows 7.

[Steve21]

Happens on 7 too, normally it's if you have a "Delete All" at the start of mapping drives, when it refreshes it seems to run the delete and map, thus closing all the drives.

 

Honestly haven't had a chance to get back to it, just removed the Delete All and made it update rather than re-map

 

You using delete first too? (or replace)

 

Steve

Edited December 4, 2015 by Steve21

[Michael]

I don't use Delete, but I do use Replace for all drives, which essentially does delete all mappings and re-create them each time.

 

I read a similar thing online, saying setting all drives to Update instead of Replace should cure it, but no solid evidence from Microsoft themselves.

[Steve21]

Although it's only a sub-millisecond change, it's like unplugging a USB drive, closes all open windows that use that drive. Annoying as hell

 

Steve

[Michael]

Although it's only a sub-millisecond change, it's like unplugging a USB drive, closes all open windows that use that drive. Annoying as hell

 

Steve

 

That's exactly it - it closes open Explorer sessions, but I never had this issue on Windows 7 using the Replace option. It's only since Windows 10, hence why I've tried disabling background GPO refresh. Will find out in the next few days if it's worked or not.

[Steve21]

Only downside with that is it stops all GPOs updating, so if someone leaves themselves logged on won't ever get GPO changes

 

Steve

[Oaktech]

That's exactly it - it closes open Explorer sessions, but I never had this issue on Windows 7 using the Replace option. It's only since Windows 10, hence why I've tried disabling background GPO refresh. Will find out in the next few days if it's worked or not.

 

I think 7 is slightly more forgiving about timing.

 

When I arrived into this job I had problems on a specific set of laptops with old wireless B cards refreshing a mapped drive located on a usb external hard drive attached to a server. It mapped incredibly slowly for some reason. I changed the GPO to update and the problem went away.

 

and now 14 months on, both the old laptops and the USB drive have gone away!

[Michael]

I agree, but this rarely happens - but also some/most GPO changes still require a reboot/or re-logon anyhow.

[Michael]

So the question is, do you chaps use Windows 10 and do you have this issue also? Does the Update method definitely worked on GPP mapped drives?

[Steve21]

Nope sorry no 10 here, but 8.1 and did the same to resolve it

 

Steve

[Michael]

Nope sorry no 10 here, but 8.1 and did the same to resolve it

 

Steve

 

So setting drive maps to Update on Windows 8.1 solved the issue?

[Steve21]

Aye, removed the Delete All and changed Replace to Update.

 

No idea why there was both set originally but hey ho Legacy people!

 

Steve

[Michael]

Just to say thanks - changing to Update does seem to have stabilised the issue (as far as I can tell), but now I have a few users telling me a printer appears offline then reappears online... not sure if the problem is linked, but I use GPOs to deploy printers and not GPP, so no 'Update' or 'Replace' function as such exists.

[Michael]

I forgot to say also, adjusting the 'Turn off background refresh of Group Policy' policy didn't change anything in my testing.