Windows 10 has undergone plenty of changes in the six years since first launching, but the core look and feel has remained the same. Whether you’re picking up a brand new device or one that hasn’t been updated for a few years, the experience is largely the same. Show This was widely expected to change in 2021, with the big ‘Sun Valley’ update bringing wholesale changes. Many of these features arrived, but in a brand-new version – Windows 11. It’s a free upgrade, too, making the prospect of Windows 10’s 21H2 update far less exciting. It’s officially live now for all users, but there are only three minor changes to talk about – that’s the same as the May 21H1 update from earlier in the year. Here’s everything you need to know. When did the Windows 10 21H2 update come out?Ahead of schedule, Microsoft confirmed the existence of the 21H2 update in a blog post on 15 July. The Dev Channel was then used for testing purposes, before an official release in November 2021. The update was rolled out gradually to manage demand, but it should now be available on all Windows 10 devices. Will my Windows PC get the 21H2 update?Almost certainly, yes. If your PC is able to download the 21H1 update, there’s no reason it won’t get version 21H2. Microsoft may have updated the hardware requirements for Windows 11, but there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to Windows 10. How long will Windows 10 21H2 be supported for?As is usually the case with Windows 10 feature updates, Microsoft has revealed exactly when version 21H2 will reach end of support: 13 June 2023. That’s consistent with the rough 18 months of support usually provided. Running any version of Windows that’s not supported is a big security risk – it leaves your device vulnerable to bugs, viruses or malware that emerge. Should that happen, there’s no guarantee Microsoft will release an official fix. However, the deadline for an earlier version is fast approaching. The 20H2 (late 2020) update won’t be supported beyond 10 May 2022, so it’s important to update now. Likewise, support for the 21H1 (early 2021) update will end on 13 December 2022. Remember, Windows 10 itself will continue to be supported until October 2025. Microsoft is encouraging users to get Windows 11 now, but there’s no requirement to for a while yet. Windows 10 21H2 update new featuresSince October 2020, we’ve had an idea that a big Windows update was on its way. For much of 2021, this was expected to take the form of Windows 10’s 21H2 update. However, in the space of just few months, Microsoft teased, announced and released Windows 11. It’s the culmination of the ‘Sun Valley’ project Microsoft has been working on for much of the last year, so almost all the exciting features will be arriving in this brand-new version of Windows. That’s not to say that Windows 10 won’t get any more attention, and Microsoft has gone ahead with the 21H2 update. It may end up being Windows 10’s last feature update though, even if the OS will continue to be officially supported until 2025. In the same official blog post as above, Microsoft revealed only three new features of note:
These are useful features, but they’re unlikely to have a significant on how you use your Windows 10 PC day-to-day. In the official blog post used to announce the update, Microsoft also confirmed that you’ll benefit from a fast installation process if you’re already running version 2004 (May 2020) or later. As a subsequent blog post explains, several bugs have been fixed and there is one known issue at the time of writing, along with a suggested solution:
A How-To Geek article (based on an Insider Build from February 2021 suggested lots more features would be coming, although that was long before Windows 11 was announced. It’s not clear whether some of the following features simply weren’t considered noteworthy enough for the blog post, or if we’ll have to wait longer.
For news on Windows 10’s successor, check out our full guide to Windows 11. Predictably, its first feature update is expected to be known as version 22H2. Should I upgrade from Windows 21H1 to 21H2?Once your version of Windows 21H1 reaches its "end of service" on December 12, 2022, it will no longer receive security updates. Yes, you will need to upgrade to Windows version 21H2 to continue to receive security updates and keep your system secure, improve performance and stability.
Is 21H2 Windows 10 good?Is it safe to install Windows 10 21H2, November 2021 Update? Best answer: Yes, and here's why and what you should do.
How do I upgrade from 21H1 to 21H2?Go to software download on microsoft.com. Click on update now to download the Update Assistant tool. Download the Update Assistant Tool. From there launch the newly-downloaded file and click on update now to update to version 21H2.
Is 21H2 the same as Windows 11?Version 21H2 (original release)
The original version of Windows 11 (also known as version 21H2 and codenamed "Sun Valley") was released in October 2021. It carries the build number 10.0. 22000. The first public preview build was made available to Windows Insiders who opted in to the Dev Channel on June 28, 2021.
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