# GPO disabled link count should be retrievable

GPO disabled link count should be retrievable: Disabled GPO links represent a potential security and operational concern in Active Directory environments:

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-GPOREP-12

<!-- This file is generated by website/scripts/generate-test-docs.mjs. Do not edit manually. -->

<div class="test-byline"><div class="test-byline-avatars"><a class="test-byline-avatar test-byline-avatar--author" href="/contributors/soulemike" title="Michael Soule · Original author"><img src="https://github.com/soulemike.png" alt="Michael Soule" width="28" height="28" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /></a></div><div class="test-byline-meta"><span class="test-byline-text">Contributed by <a href="/contributors/soulemike">Michael Soule</a></span><a class="test-byline-link" href="/contributors">All contributors →</a></div></div>

<p class="test-part">Part of <a href="/docs/tests/ad">Active Directory</a> · Active Directory · Group Policy · <a href="/docs/tests">All checks</a></p>

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-GPOREP-12
```

## Overview

Disabled GPO links represent a potential security and operational concern in Active Directory environments:

- **Policy Gaps**: Disabled links mean GPOs that are configured but not applied, potentially leaving systems without intended security controls
- **Configuration Drift**: Disabled links may indicate temporary troubleshooting that was never reverted
- **Audit Challenges**: Disabled links create confusion during security audits about which policies are actually enforced
- **Compliance Risks**: Unintentionally disabled links can result in non-compliance with security baselines

#### Security Recommendation

Regularly review disabled GPO links and either:

- Re-enable links that were accidentally disabled
- Remove links that are no longer needed
- Document the justification for intentionally disabled links
- Ensure critical security policies are not inadvertently disabled

#### How the Test Works

This test retrieves GPO link information from Active Directory and counts:
- Total number of GPO links
- Number of enabled links (state 0)
- Number of disabled links (state 1)
- Number of enforced links (state 2)

The gPLink attribute is parsed to determine the state of each link.

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdGpoEnforcedCount` - Counts enforced GPO links
- `Test-MtAdGpoLinkedCount` - Counts distinct GPOs with links
- `Test-MtAdGpoUnlinkedCount` - Identifies GPOs with no links

## Details

<details>
<summary>Every attribute of this check</summary>

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-GPOREP-12 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Group Policy |
| Area | Infrastructure hardening |
| Resource type | GroupPolicy |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtCheckADGPOREP12](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/gpo-state/Test.AD-GPOREP-12.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:groupPolicyContainer.gPCFileSysPath:ReadProperty, ActiveDirectory:File:SYSVOL:Read |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/gpo-state/Test.AD-GPOREP-12.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/gpo-state/Test.AD-GPOREP-12.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/gpo-state/Test.AD-GPOREP-12.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/gpo-state/Test.AD-GPOREP-12.md)