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Like most of us, you probably need some information about Windows 10 21H1 – the next semi-annual Windows 10 update. In this Itechguide, I will discuss Windows 10 21H1 release date, features, and how you can download the update.

Windows 10 21H1 update became available for installation from May 18th, 2021. To install the update now, follow the steps in our guide – How To Install Windows 10 21H1 Update Manually

Windows 10 21H1 Update: Release Date

Before I discuss the next major Windows 10 semi-annual update, I will like to highlight the changes to the naming convention introduced with the last update.

Before the last update – Windows 10 20H2, Microsoft named the semi-annual updates according to the release month and year. For example, the update released before 20H2 was called 2004.

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Windows 10 2004 was released on 27th May 2020. Before this update, 1909 was released on 12th November 2019. So, before 20H2 was released, the first Windows feature update for the year was named – YY03 – except 2004 which took “04” to avoid name conflict with Windows Server 2003.

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Additionally, the Windows 10 update released in the last quarter of the year was named – YY09. So, the 2019 update released in November of that year was called Windows 10 1909.

“19” stands for 2019, while 09 stands for the release cycle – usually 09.

If you are not a Windows administrator, these naming conventions may not be of interest to you. However, Windows admins need to understand these naming conventions and when the updates are available for updates. Read Windows 10 release information for information about Windows 10 release dates. As of the time of writing this guide, the release date for Windows 10 21H1 has not been included in the link referenced above.

As I mentioned earlier, from October 2020 update, Microsoft changed the naming convention for Windows semi-annual updates. The name now follows the YYH1 or YYH2 naming convention.

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YY represents the second part of the year and H1 or H2 represents the update release cycle. H1 is used for Windows semi-annual updates released around March and May.

H2 is used for feature updates released between September and November. So, the next Windows 10 update – Windows 10 21H1 is expected in the first half of 2021.

Specifically, Microsoft announced that this update will be released by Spring 2021. Based on previous feature updates, Windows 10 21H1 update should be expected between March and May 2021.

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Windows 10 21H1 Update: Features

The table below highlights the major features of Windows 10 21H1 Update:

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S/NFeature InfoFeature Details
1Improvements to Windows Hello multicamera supportIn the 21H1 update, Microsoft is introducing improvements to Windows Hello. Specifically, if an internal and an external camera are present, Windows Hellow now sets the external camera as default.
2End of Support for the legacy version of Microsoft EdgeSupport for the legacy version of Microsoft Edge will end with update 21H2. The support ends on March 9th, 2021. Microsoft has released a new Microsoft Edge.
3Improvements to Windows Defender Application GuardWindows Defender will receive general improvements. Most notably, it is now optimized to support faster document opening.
4Improvements to Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC)The primary focus of the improvements to WMI is in remote work scenarios. This is likely Microsoft’s way of recognizing changes to how we work now.
Windows 10 21H1 has some updates on Windows Hardware Compatibility Program.

Windows 10 21H1 Update: Download

This is the part you are most likely more interested in – how do I download and/or install Windows 10 21H1 Update? That depends on when you want to install the update.

If you are very keen and wish to install the update now – that is, before the update is released to the general public – join the Windows Insider program. When you join this program, you should be able to download the update as soon as possible.

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Microsoft started releasing 21H1 via the Windows Insiders in the Beta channel from February 17, 2021. So, if you join Windows Insider now, you may be able to download and install update 21H1 immediately.

However, if you want to wait until the update is released to everyone, you have to get it when it becomes available via Windows update. According to Microsoft, the release will begin “later in the first half of this calendar year (2021)”.

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Furthermore, to make it easy for you to receive the update, we strongly recommend that you update your Windows 10 PC to 20H2. According to Microsoft, if your PC is updated to version 2004 or 20H2, you will have a faster installation experience of update 21H1.

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Windows 10 21H1 update became available for installation from May 18th, 2021. To install the update now, follow the steps in our guide – How To Install Windows 10 21H1 Update Manually
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Conclusion

I hope you found this Windows 10 guide helpful. If you did, kindly spare two minutes to share your experience by responding to the “Was this page helpful?” question below.

Finally, for more Windows 10 Itechguides, visit our Windows 10 How-To page.

You may also find our comprehensive File Explorer guide very helpful – Get Help With File Explorer In Windows 10: The Ultimate Guide.

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