REG or GPO - Who wins if both set

AFAIK either can overwrite the other, but only GPO can "back itself out" after you rescind the policy...

I argue that my question adequately answered the question- both in writing and in the link shared for detailed information straight from Microsoft.  I recommend that we split the points 250/250.

Given that the link provided explains the difference between setting a Group Policy and a Group Policy Preference, it does not sufficiently answer the question. The question is regarding whether or not modifying the registry through regedit or similar means will over-ride settings deployed by group policy. Deploying the registry modifications through preferences is not part of the equation (given the statement that the question has been in his mind for 10 years or more, while preferences did not exist before server 2008).

My response addressed the apparent misunderstanding the requester had regarding how Group Policies are applied the the Registry. Specifically that Group Policy settings were stored in a different location in the registry than would be modified to achieve the same result in Regedit. This is not the case, since Group Policy settings directly modify the settings that would be modified in Regedit manually to change the setting. Attempting to modify the registry manually with a Group Policy in effect will not change the setting for very long, since it will be immediately changed back to the Group Policy setting's value as soon as Group Policy is refreshed.

Again, I object and recommend the points be split.  My explanation includes GPOs vs applying registry settings via Preferences- which includes how the GP can apply once, or have rollback which is how it changes or doesn't change an update in regedit.  It is a sufficient explanation with a robust article to support it.

If we can't agree on that then the question will require another party to resolve.

Dustin, The question isn't about deploying registry settings via preferences...

A setting that can set by either a change via regedit or set via a group policy, than which setting will take priority ?

Group Policy settings (The Administrative Template branch, at least), at their core, are registry modifications. The question is whether setting the policy with an Administrative Template GPO will over-ride a modification through regedit. It has nothing to do with registry settings deployed by a GPO preference.

I'm trying to point out these facts so other people (and you) can learn from it. I don't care so much about the points as I care about the answer being completely accurate and useful for people in the future, when it inevitably comes up in a google search. Please, re-read the question entirely and explain how Group Policy Preferences enters into it if you still think your answer addresses the issue.

I'm not going to argue this with you, we'll leave the question for a third party to close.

Adams answer makes the most sense of my question, but i did also learn from Dustins comments, although not really part of my original question.

Asker is the ultimate judge, thanks for coming back to resolve the open question.