Microsoft releases Windows 11 26H2 policy tools for enterprise admins

Microsoft has released the official Group Policy templates and settings reference for Windows 11 26H2, giving enterprise IT administrators new tools to review and manage the operating system’s latest feature update.

The company published the Windows 11 26H2 Administrative Templates (.admx) package alongside a Group Policy Settings Reference Spreadsheet following the rollout of the new Windows version.

The resources are designed to help organisations assess and update their existing Group Policy and device-management configurations before deploying Windows 11 26H2 across managed systems.

ADMX files provide XML-based definitions for Windows Group Policy settings, including the registry keys and values controlled by individual policies. Administrators can use them with tools such as the Local Group Policy Editor to manage Windows settings.

Microsoft’s accompanying spreadsheet provides a reference for the available policy settings and allows administrators to filter them across different categories.

The templates can also support some cloud-managed environments. Microsoft allows selected ADMX-backed policies to be configured through its Policy Configuration Service Provider (Policy CSP), enabling organisations using mobile device management systems to apply supported administrative template settings without relying solely on traditional Group Policy infrastructure.

The release comes shortly after Microsoft rolled out Windows 11 26H2, which can be installed through several methods, including the Windows 11 Upgrade Assistant, an enablement package for eligible existing installations and ISO files for clean installations.

While the update process may be relatively straightforward for individual users, enterprise deployments typically require additional testing and configuration because organisations must account for security policies, applications, devices and existing management infrastructure.

Microsoft had previously released 30-day evaluation ISOs for Windows 11 26H2 and published security guidance for organisations preparing for the update.

Among the changes in the new release are the removal of the requirement for a clean installation to use Smart App Control, the inclusion of built-in Sysmon and the introduction of Administrative Protection.

The newly released administrative templates and settings reference are therefore intended to help IT teams review policy changes and align their management configurations with Windows 11 26H2 before wider deployment.

The Windows 11 26H2 Administrative Templates and Group Policy Settings Reference Spreadsheet are available through the Microsoft Download Center.