Windows unable to read gpt.ini file while updating policies and a system attached to device is not functioning while changing passowrd using ctrl+alt+del

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Windows unable to read gpt.ini file while updating policies and a system attached to device is not functioning while changing passowrd using ctrl+alt+del

confused112 0

Hi everyone, I recently helped a user change their password from ADUC directly as it was going to be expired. It seems to work as normal after the password change but I noticed when adding the printer from \DC\Printers not accessible to user.

Tried updating group polies using gpupdate /force, computer policies update successfully but user policy gets an error that winodws not able to read file at \domain\sysvol.... gpt.ini file.

Also when trying to change password using ctrl+alt+del on company network, it says device attached to system is not functioning.

It happens if a user log on to a different machine as well and another error when signing into office apps about TPM malfunctioned, keyset does not exist on any other machine

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Answer 1

Camila Th 1,915 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @confused112 ,

Thank you for posting question to Microsoft Q&A.

According to your description, there seemed to be that multiple issues happened at once. May I know if you have tried to restart the affected computer once to see if the issue still persists?

Regarding on TPM issue, you might want to clear the TPM via Windows Security:

Windows Settings > Privacy & Security > Open Windows Security > Security Processor Details > Security Processor Troubleshooting > Select a reason to reset > Clear TPM > Restart the affected computer.

User's image

About the other issues you initially mentioned, please provide me the screenshot when you got error messages while trying to execute Group Policy update and while pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del so I could give you more accurate directions.

I am looking forward to your update.

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confused112 0 Reputation points

2025-07-02T03:12:47.1666667+00:00

Hi @Camila Th

I have tried restarting numerous times and clearing the TPM as described. The TPM error went away when I added a key ProtectionPolicy in registry and set it to 1.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cryptography\Protect\Providers\df9d8cd0-1501-11d1-8c7a-00c04fc297eb\ProtectionPolicy

The error I get while updating the group policies is

"Computer Policy update has completed successfully. User Policy could not be updated successfully. The following errors were encountered: The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \domain\SysVol\domain\Policies{88BC23D3-EBA2-4AC0-A311-D1C7EC5BAC0B}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following: a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller. b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller). c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled."

If another another user sign on to the same machine, they don't get that error.

If I move OU of the affected user, they get the same error but with a different policy name.

Please see the attached picture for the error I get when changing the password while on company network and/or VPN
Austin-H 3,455 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-03T00:44:51.66+00:00

Hi @confused112 ,

Thanks for your information.

As this tag of this thread belongs to Microsoft 365 Office Installation - our knowledge on Windows is limited. However, I found this thread which could give you possible answers based on your given information.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/53022/a-device-attached-to-the-system-is-not-functioning

Could you double-check to see if this could fix the issue?
Austin-H 3,455 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-07T00:23:19+00:00

Hi @confused112 ,

I hope my comment finds you well.

May I know if you have double-checked the article I mentioned above?

I am looking forward to your reply.
confused112 0 Reputation points

2025-07-07T15:48:10.2333333+00:00

Hi @Austin-H , the solution provided in the article did not work.

The user can access fileserver but any shared path from the domain controller in inaccessible.

Regards.

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Windows unable to read gpt.ini file while updating policies and a system attached to device is not functioning while changing passowrd using ctrl+alt+del

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