How Group Policy Affects Startup And Logging On

By Author: iris
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The following sequence shows the order in which computer configuration and comptia user configuration settings are applied when a computer starts and a user logs on.
1.The network starts. Remote Procedure Call System Service (RPCSS) and Multiple Universal Naming Convention Provider (MUP) are started.
2.An ordered list of GPOs is obtained for the computer. The list contents depend on the following factors:
Whether the computer is part of a Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 domain, and is therefore subject to Group Policy through Active Directory.
The location of the computer in Active Directory.
If the list of GPOs has not changed, then no processing is done. You can use a Group Policy setting to change this behavior.
3.Computer configuration settings are processed. This occurs synchronously by default and in the following order: local GPO, site GPOs, domain GPOs, and OU
GPOs. No user interface is displayed while computer configuration settings are being processed. See the section "How Group Policy Is Applied" for details about GPO processing.
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... 4.Startup scripts run. This is hidden and synchronous by default; each script must complete or time out before the next one starts. The default timeout is 600 seconds (10 minutes). You can use several Group Policy settings to modify this behavior.
5.The user presses Ctrl+Alt+Del to log on.
6.After the user is validated, the 220-702 exam user profile is loaded, governed by the Group Policy settings in effect.
7.An ordered list of GPOs is obtained for the user. The list contents depend on the following factors:
Whether the user is part of a Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 domain, and is therefore subject to Group Policy through Active Directory.
Whether loopback is enabled and the state (Merge or Replace) of the loop-back policy setting. Refer to the section "How Group Policy Is Applied" for more information about loopback.
The location of the user in Active Directory.
If the list of GPOs to be applied has not changed, then no processing is done. You can use a policy setting to change this behavior.
8.User configuration settings are processed. This occurs synchronously by default,and in the following order: local GPO, site GPOs, domain GPOs, and OU GPOs.
No user interface is displayed while user policies are being processed. See the section "How Group Policy Is Applied" for details about GPO processing.
9.Logon scripts run. Unlike Windows NT 4 scripts, Group Policy-based logon scripts are run hidden and asynchronously by default. The user object script
runs last.
10. The operating system user interface prescribed by free certification Group Policy appears.