Command: Gpupdate

You can force verbose debug logging:

gpupdate /force /logoff /verbose

Then inspect %windir%\debug\usermode\gpsvc.log (enable via registry key HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Diagnostics\GPSvcDebugLevel = 0x30002) gpupdate command

Some policies (like folder redirection, software installation, or logon scripts) only apply during user logon or system startup. You can force verbose debug logging: gpupdate /force

gpupdate /force /logoff

While gpupdate remains vital for on-premises Active Directory environments, the industry is shifting toward Microsoft Intune and Mobile Device Management (MDM). The command gpupdate has no direct equivalent in Intune; instead, you use the Sync button in the Company Portal or the Get-WindowsEnrollmentStatus PowerShell cmdlet. Then inspect %windir%\debug\usermode\gpsvc

However, for hybrid-joined devices, gpupdate still works for the Active Directory side of policy. As of Windows 11 22H2, Microsoft has confirmed that "Group Policy is not going away" – it is simply becoming one of many management tools alongside MDM.

Updating Policy...
Computer Policy update has completed successfully.
User Policy update has completed successfully.

The basic syntax is straightforward:

gpupdate [ /target:computer  ] [ /force ] [ /wait:value ] [ /logoff ] [ /boot ] [ /sync ]

When scripting gpupdate (e.g., in batch files or PowerShell), it is helpful to know if the command succeeded.