Enable client-side targeting: registry value TargetGroupEnabled and 1 moreComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Policy ID: TargetGroup_Title
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 or Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, excluding Windows RT
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Windows Update › Manage updates offered from Windows Server Update Service

Registry

TargetGroupEnabled

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate Current key

Enabled value: 1
Disabled value: 0

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]

; Options (use only one)
; Enabled
"TargetGroupEnabled"=dword:00000001
; Disabled
"TargetGroupEnabled"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "TargetGroupEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "TargetGroupEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Enabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'TargetGroupEnabled' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'TargetGroupEnabled' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null

TargetGroup

REG_SZComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Target group name for this computer
Value type: REG_SZ
Required: true

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]

; Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data
"TargetGroup"="<enter value>"

CMD

:: Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "TargetGroup" /t REG_SZ /d "<enter value>" /f

PowerShell

# Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'TargetGroup' -PropertyType String -Value '<enter value>' -Force | Out-Null