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What the policy controls
Microsoft’s policy, named Select the target Feature Update version, controls feature-update targeting on managed Windows devices. It has two related fields:
- Which Windows product version would you like to receive feature updates for? Enter
Windows 10orWindows 11. - Target Version for Feature Updates Enter a release such as
22H2.
The product and version work together. If only a target version is supplied, Windows Update normally looks for that version within the device’s current Windows product. To deliberately move a Windows 10 device to Windows 11, specify Windows 11 in the product field. Microsoft documents the policy and its registry mapping in the Update Policy CSP.
This setting targets feature upgrades. It does not freeze every Windows Update activity: quality, security, driver, and other update policies have separate controls. It also cannot create a newer Windows 10 feature release after 22H2 or reliably undo an upgrade that is already installing.
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Supported editions and servicing caveats
The policy is intended for managed editions such as Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education, and applicable IoT Enterprise editions. Windows 10 Home does not provide the normal Group Policy control. Microsoft’s Windows Update client-policy documentation describes the supported managed editions.
Do not assume that an LTSC or LTSB installation follows the ordinary Windows 10 22H2 branch. Identify the exact LTSC/LTSB release and check its separate lifecycle; Microsoft’s 22H2 lifecycle notice distinguishes these servicing branches.
Check the installed edition and version first
Settings
- Open Start > Settings > System > About.
- Under Windows specifications, record the edition, version, and OS build.
- Use the display version (for example,
22H2) for the target-version field, not the full build number.
Winver
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
winverand select OK. - Record the edition and version shown in the dialog.
Command line
Command Prompt:
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version"PowerShell:
Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object WindowsProductName, WindowsDisplayVersion, OsBuildNumberConfigure the setting with Group Policy
Local Group Policy on one computer
- Sign in with administrative rights.
- Press Windows key + R, enter
gpedit.msc, and select OK. - Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
- Open Select the target Feature Update version.
- Select Enabled.
- Enter
Windows 10for the product field. - Enter
22H2for the target-version field. - Select Apply, then OK.
- Refresh policy with
gpupdate /force. Restart if Windows Update does not immediately reflect the setting.
Domain Group Policy
- Open Group Policy Management and create or edit a GPO linked to the computers’ organizational unit.
- Configure the same policy under Computer Configuration, not User Configuration.
- Use security filtering or WMI filtering when only a subset of devices should be held.
- On a client, run
gpupdate /force. - Generate a report with
gpresult /h "%USERPROFILE%Desktopgpresult.html"and inspect Computer Details for the applied policy.
Configure the equivalent registry policy
The policy is stored under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate. The relevant values are:
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| Value | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
ProductVersion |
REG_SZ | Windows 10 |
TargetReleaseVersion |
REG_DWORD | 1 (enabled) |
TargetReleaseVersionInfo |
REG_SZ | 22H2 |
Run these commands in an elevated Command Prompt:
reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate" /v ProductVersion /t REG_SZ /d "Windows 10" /f
reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate" /v TargetReleaseVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate" /v TargetReleaseVersionInfo /t REG_SZ /d "22H2" /f
gpupdate /forcePowerShell equivalent:
$path = "HKLM:SOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate"
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name ProductVersion -PropertyType String -Value "Windows 10" -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name TargetReleaseVersion -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name TargetReleaseVersionInfo -PropertyType String -Value "22H2" -Force | Out-NullExport the key before editing it. Local registry values can be overwritten by a domain GPO, MDM/CSP, Intune, or third-party patch-management product, so the effective policy matters more than the value you entered manually. Remove obsolete values when changing management methods.
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For an Intune-managed fleet, use a Windows feature-update deployment policy or the applicable Windows Update policy instead of editing every registry. In the Microsoft Intune admin center, create or edit the feature-update policy, select the intended Windows release, assign it to a device group, and monitor deployment and policy status. Portal labels and available choices change, so confirm the current interface. Avoid assigning conflicting Intune, CSP, and Group Policy settings to the same devices. Microsoft’s Windows 11 preparation guidance explains feature-update deployment controls and product transitions.
Verify that the target is applied
- Refresh computer policy:
gpupdate /force. - Generate the applied-policy report:
gpresult /h "%USERPROFILE%Desktopgpresult.html". - Inspect the registry values:
reg query "HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate". - Run
winverafter any required restart and confirm the installed display version. - For MDM devices, check Intune policy status and Windows MDM event logs rather than relying only on the local registry.
If Windows Update still offers Windows 11
- Confirm that both fields are configured and that the product string is exactly
Windows 10. - Confirm the target string is exactly
22H2, with no build number or extra text. - Make sure the setting is applied under Computer Configuration to the computer receiving the offer.
- Check
gpresultfor a higher-priority or denied domain GPO. - Check Intune, another MDM/CSP, or third-party update software for a conflicting feature-update assignment.
- Confirm the edition is a supported managed edition, not Home.
- Refresh policy and restart. A policy change is not a guaranteed rollback once an upgrade is already in progress.
What Windows 10 end of support changes
Windows 10 standard support ended on October 14, 2025. Version 22H2 is the final Windows 10 feature update, but keeping a device on it with this policy does not restore ordinary security updates or product support. Eligible devices enrolled in Microsoft’s ESU program can receive security updates for a limited period; ESU does not add feature updates or recreate full Windows 10 support. Devices outside such a program remain unsupported even if the policy continues to hold them at 22H2.
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Should you still target Windows 10 22H2?
| Situation | Practical decision |
|---|---|
| Short-term application or regulatory transition | A documented temporary hold may be reasonable while Windows 11 is tested. |
| Eligible legacy devices enrolled in ESU | Targeting 22H2 can maintain the ESU-eligible baseline, but plan migration or replacement. |
| Compatible hardware with no blocker | Plan a controlled Windows 11 migration instead of treating the hold as permanent. |
| Hardware that cannot meet Windows 11 requirements | Evaluate replacement or a formally managed exception; unsupported Windows 10 is a risk. |
| Desire for normal long-term Windows 10 security support | This policy is not a solution. |
Before moving a device, validate Windows 11 hardware eligibility, application compatibility, licensing, deployment rings, and policy conflicts. For official post-EOS context, see Microsoft’s Windows 10 support announcement.
Frequently asked questions
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does this policy work on Windows 10 Home?
No. It is intended for supported managed editions such as Pro, Enterprise, Education, and applicable IoT Enterprise editions. Home does not provide the normal Group Policy control.
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Can it prevent a Windows 10-to-Windows 11 upgrade?
Setting ProductVersion to Windows 10 and TargetReleaseVersionInfo to 22H2 tells Windows Update to remain within the Windows 10 product. Conflicting management policies, unsupported configurations, or an upgrade already in progress can still require separate troubleshooting.
Is Windows 10 22H2 still supported?
It is the final Windows 10 feature update, but standard Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025. Eligible devices may receive limited security updates through ESU; the policy itself does not extend support.
Does this work with Intune?
Intune can manage feature-update deployment through feature-update policies and Windows Update controls. Use one authoritative management method and check the current Intune portal labels.
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Does changing the registry immediately downgrade Windows?
No. The values guide future feature-update targeting; they do not downgrade the installed operating system or reliably cancel an upgrade already underway.
Does the setting apply to LTSC?
Do not assume so. LTSC and LTSB releases have separate servicing schedules. Identify the exact release and consult its lifecycle.
How do I remove the policy?
In Group Policy, set the policy to Not Configured and refresh with gpupdate /force. If configured by registry, remove the policy values after confirming that no domain GPO or MDM profile will recreate them; then verify the effective settings.
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