How to Specify Target Feature Update Version in Windows 10


A new TargetReleaseVersion policy available in Windows 10 version 1803 and higher allows you to specify which feature update version of Windows 10 you would like your computer to move to and/or stay on until the version reaches end of service or you reconfigure this policy.

If you don't update this policy before the device reaches end of service, the device will automatically be updated once it is 60 days past end of service for its version.

If you specify a TargetReleaseVersion the same as the current version, Windows 10 will stay on this version until it reaches end of service. This can also be useful to block an automatic upgrade to Windows 11.

If you specify a TargetReleaseVersion higher than the current version, Windows 10 will directly update only to the specified version even if a higher version is available.

See also:

• Windows 10 release information | Microsoft Docs
• Policy CSP - Update/TargetReleaseVersion | Microsoft Docs
• Optimize on-premises monthly update delivery using the cloud | Windows IT Pro Blog
• Walkthrough: Use Group Policy to configure Windows Update for Business | Microsoft Docs

This tutorial will show you how to specify a TargetReleaseVersion version of Windows 10 you want to move to or stay on in Windows Update until it reaches end of service in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.

You must be signed in as an administrator to specify a TargetReleaseVersion version for your Windows 10 computer.

Contents

• Option One: Specify Target Feature Update Version in Local Group Policy Editor
• Option Two: Specify Target Feature Update Version using a REG file
• Option Three: Specify Target Feature Update Version in Registry Editor

OPTION ONE

Specify Target Feature Update Version in Local Group Policy Editor

This option is only available in Windows 10 version 2004 and higher.

1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2 Navigate to the location below in the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business

3 In the right pane of Windows Update for Business in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Select the target Feature Update version policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (specify) or step 6 (undo) below for what you would like to do.

5 To Specify Target Feature Update Version

A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) Perform the following steps under Options:

• Type Which Windows product version would you like to receive feature updates for (ex: "Windows 10").
• Type the version (ex: "21H1") you want to specify in the Target Version for Feature Updates box.
• Click/tap on OK.
• Go to step 7 below.

You can see a list of Windows 10 versions to use as a value in the Windows 10 release information table.

6 To Undo Specify Target Feature Update Version

A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Not Configured is the default setting.

7 When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor.

OPTION TWO

Specify Target Feature Update Version using a REG file

This option will only work in Windows 10 version 1803 and higher.

1 Do step 2 (specify) or step 3 (undo - default) below for what you would like to do.

2 To Specify Target Feature Update Version

A) Click/tap on the Download button below for the 1909, 2004, 20H2, 21H1, or 21H2 version you want to specify.

Specify_target_Feature_Update_version_to_1909.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ProductVersion"="Windows 10"
"TargetReleaseVersion"=dword:00000001
"TargetReleaseVersionInfo"="1909"

OR

Specify_target_Feature_Update_version_to_2004.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ProductVersion"="Windows 10"
"TargetReleaseVersion"=dword:00000001
"TargetReleaseVersionInfo"="2004"

OR

Specify_target_Feature_Update_version_to_20H2.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ProductVersion"="Windows 10"
"TargetReleaseVersion"=dword:00000001
"TargetReleaseVersionInfo"="20H2"

OR

Specify_target_Feature_Update_version_to_21H1.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ProductVersion"="Windows 10"
"TargetReleaseVersion"=dword:00000001
"TargetReleaseVersionInfo"="21H1"

OR

Specify_target_Feature_Update_version_to_21H2.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ProductVersion"="Windows 10"
"TargetReleaseVersion"=dword:00000001
"TargetReleaseVersionInfo"="21H2"

OR

Specify_target_Feature_Update_version_to_22H2.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ProductVersion"="Windows 10"
"TargetReleaseVersion"=dword:00000001
"TargetReleaseVersionInfo"="22H2"

B) Save the .reg file to your desktop.

C) Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

D) When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

E) You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like. You are done.

You can use Option Three below if you would like to change the version to what you want to specify instead of 1903, 1909, or 2004.

3 To Undo Specify Target Feature Update Version

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.

Undo_specify_target_Feature_Update_version.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ProductVersion"=-
"TargetReleaseVersion"=-
"TargetReleaseVersionInfo"=-

B) Save the .reg file to your desktop.

C) Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

D) When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

E) You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like. You are done.

OPTION THREE

Specify Target Feature Update Version in Registry Editor

This option will only work in Windows 10 version 1803 and higher.

1 Do step 2 in Option Two to make adding the needed registry keys and values for this easier.

2 Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

3 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

4 In the right pane of the WindowsUpdate key, double click/tap on the TargetReleaseVersionInfo string value (REG_SZ) to modify it. (see screenshot above)

5 Type the version (ex; "1909") you want to specify in the Value data box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

You can see a list of Windows 10 versions to use as a value in the Windows 10 release information table.

6 You can now close Registry Editor. You are done.

You can use step 3 in Option Two to undo this.

That's it,
Shawn Brink

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