Turn on recommended updates via Automatic Updates: registry value IncludeRecommendedUpdatesComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

Policy ID: IncludeRecommendedUpdates_Title
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Vista through Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 with most current service pack. Not supported on Windows 10 and above.
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Windows Update › Legacy Policies

Registry

IncludeRecommendedUpdates

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU 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\AU]

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

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

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

PowerShell

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

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