Microsoft has released a fresh set of Group Policy templates and management guidance for Windows 11 26H2, giving IT administrators the tools they need to prepare enterprise PCs for the latest Windows 11 feature update.
Windows 11 26H2 became generally available recently, and while the upgrade process is relatively straightforward for consumers, businesses have a lot more to consider. Existing Group Policies, security configurations and device-management settings all need to be reviewed before a company-wide rollout.
Microsoft has now made that process easier with updated Administrative Templates (ADMX) and a new Group Policy Settings Reference spreadsheet for Windows 11 26H2.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 26H2 ADMX templates
The new Administrative Templates package was published on September 29, 2026, and provides the policy definitions administrators need to manage Windows 11 26H2 through Group Policy.
The download is about 14.6 MB and includes the complete set of Windows 11 26H2 Administrative Templates. Microsoft says these templates allow Group Policy tools to populate the available policy settings, making it possible for administrators to manage registry-based Windows policies through a familiar interface.
For organizations managing hundreds or thousands of Windows PCs, having the correct ADMX templates is particularly important because administrators can review and configure policies centrally rather than manually changing settings on individual machines.
A new Group Policy reference spreadsheet is also available
Alongside the ADMX package, Microsoft has published a Group Policy Settings Reference spreadsheet for Windows 11 26H2.
The spreadsheet lists the computer and user policy settings included in the Administrative Template files. Administrators can use Excel’s filtering tools to quickly find policies based on different categories and configuration fields.
That makes the spreadsheet useful during migration planning.
Instead of searching through hundreds of policies manually, an administrator can filter the list to identify specific settings and compare the available configuration options before deploying Windows 11 26H2 across the organization.
What are ADMX files?
If you’re not managing Windows devices professionally, ADMX may sound like another Microsoft acronym.
In simple terms, ADMX files describe Windows Group Policy settings.
They provide the definitions that Group Policy management tools use to display policy options to administrators. Once the appropriate templates are available, IT teams can configure supported Windows settings through tools such as Group Policy Management Editor.
Microsoft also supports selected ADMX-backed policies through Policy CSP, which means organizations using modern MDM solutions can manage certain administrative-template policies without relying entirely on traditional Group Policy infrastructure.
This makes the new 26H2 templates useful for both traditional Windows management environments and organizations moving toward modern device management.
Windows 11 26H2 brings several changes for businesses
The new policy templates arrive as Microsoft prepares organizations for a broader Windows 11 26H2 rollout.
Microsoft describes 26H2 as the next annual Windows 11 feature update, building on the same servicing foundation used by Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. Eligible devices can move to 26H2 using a relatively small enablement package rather than going through a traditional full operating-system upgrade.
Microsoft has also highlighted several changes that matter to commercial customers.
For example, Windows Settings Backup is enabled by default for eligible commercial devices, while some File Explorer improvements and app-specific taskbar actions are also enabled by default in 26H2. Existing administrator-configured policies continue to be respected.
Security and management are also part of the release, with Microsoft providing a refreshed security baseline and additional guidance for organizations.
Admins should review policies before upgrading
The arrival of the new templates is a good reminder that Windows feature updates should not simply be pushed to every corporate PC at once.
Microsoft recommends validating Windows 11 26H2 with a targeted group of devices, applications and workflows before expanding deployment throughout an organization.
IT teams can use the new templates and spreadsheet to:
- Review existing Group Policy configurations
- Identify policies affected by Windows 11 26H2
- Check new policy options
- Compare computer and user settings
- Prepare management policies before deployment
- Validate security and device-management configurations
- Plan a staged Windows 11 26H2 rollout
This preparation can help prevent unexpected configuration problems after the upgrade.
Microsoft has made 26H2 easier to manage
One of the biggest advantages of Windows 11 26H2 for organizations is that Microsoft is building the release around a familiar servicing model.
Because Windows 11 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 share the same underlying servicing foundation, Microsoft says organizations should benefit from a more streamlined deployment process and reduced validation effort.
The updated management resources are another part of that approach.
Microsoft has now made available the Windows 11 26H2 Administrative Templates, Group Policy Settings Reference, security baseline and other enterprise resources that administrators can use when preparing their environments.
Where to get the Windows 11 26H2 templates
Microsoft has published both resources through the Microsoft Download Center:
- Windows 11 26H2 Administrative Templates (.ADMX) — the policy template package used by Group Policy tools.
- Windows 11 26H2 Group Policy Settings Reference — an Excel spreadsheet containing the available computer and user policy settings.
Bottom line
Windows 11 26H2 isn’t just another feature update for IT departments to install and forget.
The release brings changes to Windows security, management and user experiences, making policy preparation an important part of the upgrade process.
With the new ADMX templates and Group Policy Settings Reference spreadsheet, Microsoft is giving administrators a clearer way to review their current configurations and prepare managed devices for Windows 11 26H2.
For businesses planning a rollout, the best approach is to test first, review existing policies, and then expand deployment gradually rather than upgrading an entire fleet at once.
For the latest rollout updates and troubleshooting guides, follow our Windows 11 coverage as more details emerge.
