This policy setting allows you to configure when preference items in the Printers preference extension are updated. If you ...

This policy setting allows you to configure when preference items in the Printers preference extension are updated.

If you enable this policy setting, you can configure processing options for Shared Printer, TCP/IP Printer, and Local Printer preference items.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Shared Printer, TCP/IP Printer, and Local Printer preference items are allowed to process across a slow network connection, to be applied during background processing, and to process even if the Group Policy objects (GPOs) are unchanged. By default, background processing priority is "Idle."

Notes:

1. The "Allow processing across a slow network connection" option updates preference items even when the update is transmitted across a slow network connection, such as a telephone line. Updates across slow connections can cause significant delays. 

2. The "Do not apply during periodic background processing" option prevents the system from updating affected preference items in the background while the computer is in use. When background updates are disabled, preference item changes do not take effect until the next user logon or system restart.

3. The "Process even if the Group Policy objects have not changed" option updates and reapplies the preference items even if the preference items have not changed. Many policy implementations specify that they are updated only when changed. However, you might want to update unchanged preference items, such as reapplying a desired preference setting in case a user has changed it.