Add troubleshooting article for Azure VM startup issue related to Group Policy Shortcuts policy

Author: cwhitley-MSFT

support/azure/virtual-machines/windows/applying-group-policy-shortcuts-policy.md

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+---
+title: Windows VM Startup is Stuck on "Applying Group Policy Shortcuts policy" in Azure
+description: Provides troubleshooting steps for an Azure virtual machine (VM) that is stuck in startup with the message "Applying Group Policy Shortcuts policy."
+ms.date: 05/05/2025
+author: cwhitley-MSFT 
+ms.author: cwhitley
+ms.service: azure-virtual-machines
+ms.collection: windows
+ms.custom: sap:My VM is not booting
+---
+
+# VM startup is stuck on "Applying Group Policy Shortcuts policy"
+
+**Applies to:** :heavy_check_mark: Windows VMs
+
+This article discusses an issue that causes a Microsoft Azure virtual machine (VM) to get stuck during startup on the **Applying Group Policy Shortcuts policy** screen.
+
+## Symptoms
+
+A Windows VM doesn't start. When you use [Boot diagnostics](./boot-diagnostics.md) to view the screenshot of the VM, you see that the Windows operating system displays the message, **Applying Group Policy Shortcuts policy**.
+
+:::image type="content" source="media/applying-group-policy-shortcuts-policy/applying-group-policy-shortcuts-policy-screen.png" alt-text="Screenshot of Windows operating system displaying the message 'Applying Group Policy Shortcuts policy'.":::
+
+## Cause
+
+Further investigation is required to determine the specific cause of this issue.
+
+## Collect memory dump for troubleshooting
+
+For this scenario, Azure Support requires a memory dump in order to be able to troubleshoot and diagnose the issue.
+
+Follow the steps in [this article](./collect-os-memory-dump-file.md) to collect a memory dump. Then, [create a support request](https://ms.portal.azure.com/#blade/Microsoft_Azure_Support/HelpAndSupportBlade/overview?DMC=troubleshoot).
+
+[!INCLUDE [Azure Help Support](../../../includes/azure-help-support.md)]

support/azure/virtual-machines/windows/media/applying-group-policy-shortcuts-policy/applying-group-policy-shortcuts-policy-screen.png

@@ -330,6 +330,8 @@
       href: applying-group-policy-registry-policy.md
     - name: Azure VM startup hangs at "Applying Group Policy Services policy"
       href: applying-group-policy-services-policy.md
+    - name: Azure VM startup hangs at "Applying Group Policy Shortcuts policy"
+      href: applying-group-policy-shortcuts-policy.md
     - name: Troubleshoot Windows VM OS with missing boot manager
       href: os-bootmgr-missing.md
     - name: OS isn't found