Trigger SCCM Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle

Did you know that you can trigger SCCM Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation action cycle using different methods? Let’s see multiple ways to start on-demand SCCM client policy retrieval from client computer.

The ConfigMgr Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation action initiates ad-hoc machine policy retrieval from the client outside its scheduled polling interval.

To start the Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation cycle, you must have installed the SCCM client on the computer, and it must be fully active.

A Configuration Manager client downloads its client policy on a schedule that you configure as a client settings. You can modify SCCM client policy polling interval time from client settings.

You can also start on-demand policy retrieval from the client. In this article, you’ll learn different methods to trigger ConfigMgr Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation cycle.

When to Start the SCCM Client Policy Retrieval?

There might be occasions when you want to initiate SCCM Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation action manually from the Configuration Manager properties.

Scenario 1 – An application has been deployed but doesn’t appear in Software Center. To speed up the client policy update retrieval, you can manually run the Machine Policy Retrieval Evaluation cycle on the computer.

Scenario 2 – You have modified the Client Settings from the SCCM console, and you want to get those settings quickly downloaded to the client computer. In this case, you can speed up the client policy retrieval by manually running the Machine Policy Retrieval cycle on client computer.

Determine Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle Schedule

The basic step is determining how often the Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle is set to run automatically. The policy retrieval from the client computer occurs on a schedule defined in the client settings.

To view SCCM Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation cycle Schedule:

• Launch the Configuration Manager console.
• Navigate to Administration\Overview\Client Settings.
• On the Client Settings properties, select Client Policy.
• Under Device settings, look for Client policy polling interval and this value determines how often Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation cycle runs.

1. Manually Run SCCM Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle

The easiest way to start SCCM client policy retrieval is by manually running the Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle on the client computer.

• Open the Configuration Manager control panel on the computer.
• Switch to the Actions tab. Select Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle to start the computer policy, and then select Run Now.
• The selected cycle will run and might take several minutes to finish.
• Select OK to confirm the prompt.

2. PowerShell Script to Trigger Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle

You can start client policy retrieval on the computer by using a PowerShell script:

• Open a script editor, such as Notepad or Windows PowerShell ISE.
• Copy and insert the following sample PowerShell code into the file:

$trigger = "{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000021}"
Invoke-WmiMethod -Namespace root\ccm -Class sms_client -Name TriggerSchedule $trigger

• Save the file as ClientPolicyUpdate.ps1 extension.
• Launch the PowerShell as administrator and run the PowerShell script on the client.

The PowerShell script starts the client policy retrieval on the client computer. The latest client policy is downloaded from the SCCM management point server.

3. Start Client Policy Retrieval with Client Notification from SCCM Console

Perform the following steps to start client policy retrieval from ConfigMgr console:

• In the Configuration Manager console, go to the Assets and Compliance workspace, and select Devices.
• Select the device that you want to download policy.
• On the Home tab of the ribbon, in the Device group, select Client Notification, and then choose Download Computer Policy.

Note: If you are triggering the client policy retrieval for a computer from the Configuration Manager console, the machine should be online.

4. Start SCCM Client Policy Retrieval with Support Center Client Tools

If you have installed Support Center client tools, you can start the client policy retrieval using Request and Evaluate policy.

To request the client policy from the management point, and then evaluate that policy on the client.

• Launch the Configuration Manager support center client tools.
• Click the Policy tab and select Request and Evaluate Policy.
• Select the drop-down list at the bottom of this button for other options:
  • Request and evaluate policy: Request and evaluate client policy on the client.
  • Request policy: Request the client policy from the management point.
  • Evaluate policy: Evaluate the client policy on the client.
  • Reset policy to default: Tell the Configuration Manager client to reapply the default policy. It removes all machine and user policies on the client.