Which is the correct order of GPO processing to avoid conflicting settings?

Which is the correct order of GPO processing to avoid conflicting settings?

• A. Local GPOs; Site-linked GPOs; Domain-linked GPOs; OU-linked GPOs
• B. Site-linked GPOs; Local GPOs; OU-linked GPOs; Domain-linked GPOs
• C. OU-linked GPOs; Domain-linked GPOs; Site-linked GPOs; Local GPOs
• D. Domain-linked GPOs; Local GPOs; Site-linked GPOs; OU-linked GPOs

Answer: (A)

GPOs are applied in a specific order and the final setting is determined by the last policy that applies for a given setting. The baseline is Local GPOs, then Site-linked GPOs, then Domain-linked GPOs, and finally OU-linked GPOs. This sequence ensures broad, site- and domain-wide settings are established first, and the more specific OU-linked policies can refine or override those as needed. Because the last applied policy wins, placing OU-linked GPOs last lets them override earlier settings when appropriate, while keeping higher-level policies from being unintentionally overridden later. The other sequences would disrupt this predictable precedence, allowing a lower-level or local policy to overwrite higher-level settings in ways that create conflicts or inconsistencies.

GPOs are applied in a specific order and the final setting is determined by the last policy that applies for a given setting. The baseline is Local GPOs, then Site-linked GPOs, then Domain-linked GPOs, and finally OU-linked GPOs. This sequence ensures broad, site- and domain-wide settings are established first, and the more specific OU-linked policies can refine or override those as needed. Because the last applied policy wins, placing OU-linked GPOs last lets them override earlier settings when appropriate, while keeping higher-level policies from being unintentionally overridden later.

The other sequences would disrupt this predictable precedence, allowing a lower-level or local policy to overwrite higher-level settings in ways that create conflicts or inconsistencies.