How the Default User Policy Is Implemented

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There may be some confusion as to when the default user policy takes effect, when it is included in the Ntconfig.pol file with specific users or groups. The order of the implementation is as follows:

1. If the default user is the only implemented policy, it will affect all users.
2. If the default user and a specific user have overlapping implementations in the file, the specific user takes precedence. (In other words, the default user policy will be ignored.)
3. If the default user and a global group have overlapping implementations in the policy file, the global group takes precedence.
4. If all three items are in the policy file, the specific user always takes precedence.
5. Because there are no groups with computers, the default computer policy takes effect unless a specific computer name is included in the policy file.

NOTE: There are three states in which a policy exists: checked, cleared, or gray. The preceding scenario describes their precedence for each policy item (user, group, and default user).

If the policy file contains only groups and the default user, then for a user to obtain the proper policy through his or her group membership, the settings must be checked or cleared for that user's group. In other words, if a group setting is left gray, and the default user has that policy implemented (check or cleared), the policy will be determined according to the default user.

However, a specific user policy always takes precedence over group and default user policies, regardless of whether an option is gray or implemented.