Auto-Protect is preventing a Group Policy Object from being successfully applied
Observing these error when running command: "gpupdate /force":
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows could not apply the registry-based policy settings for the Group Policy object
Also observing Event ID 1096 and Event ID 1085 in the Windows System Event logs.
To workaround this issue disable the setting "Trust files on remote computers running Auto-Protect" on the affected systems.
For Managed SEP 12.1 clients:
In the SEPM > Policies > Virus and Spyware Protection Policy > Edit > Auto-Protect > Network Settings, uncheck "Trust files on remote computers running Auto-Protect".
For Unmanaged 12.1 clients:
In the Client UI > Change Settings > Virus and Spyware Protection > Configure Settings > Auto-Protect tab > Advanced > Network, uncheck "Trust files on remote computers running Auto-Protect".