Microsoft finally acknowledges the Windows 10 21H1 update

[mood]

Microsoft finally acknowledges the Windows 10 21H1 update

 

 

Microsoft has finally acknowledged the next Windows 10 update, version 21H1, publicly. The company has adopted a twice-a-year release cadence for its Windows 10 feature updates for a while now, but it's been unusually quiet about the update we'd expect this spring. Now, it has finally showed up in a blog post on the Tech Community forums, and it seems like it will be a pretty small update.

 

The post is about the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program, and the changes that version 21H1 will bring - or rather, the changes it won't. The blog post is nearly a carbon copy of the post for version 20H2, and it confirms that no changes are being made to hardware certification. All the same requirements and rules that applied to Windows 10 version 2004 a year ago remain the same for both of the versions that follow it.

 

Of course, that's because Microsoft is releasing Windows 10X this spring, and that will be the big focus for now. The next big update for regular Windows 10 has been expected to land in the fall - with some major changes expected - but until now, Microsoft itself hadn't given any indication as to whether a spring update would come out at all for Windows 10, or if it would simply be a small update like version 20H2. It's not surprising that version 21H1 does exist, but it's good to see Microsoft finally acknowledge it.

 

Windows 10X itself has been almost unheard of in any official manner since last year. About a month ago, a near-final build of the operating system leaked online, giving us a look at what to expect, but Microsoft has failed to acknowledge it in any way. The Redmond giant is planning to hold its Ignite conference in early March, though, and we may finally hear more about its plans at the event.

 

 

Source: Microsoft finally acknowledges the Windows 10 21H1 update

[mood]

Microsoft confirms Windows 10 21H1 will run on existing hardware

 

 

Microsoft has officially confirmed that Windows 10, version 21H1 will be the next Windows 10 update to be released later during the spring of 2021.

 

Windows 10 21H1 will come with no hardware requirement changes when compared to Windows 10 20H2, the previous release, according to a blog post on the company's official Windows Hardware Certification blog.

"The Windows 10, version 21H1 release will not bring updates to the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program and will follow the same guidelines as 20H2," Microsoft said.

"Windows 10, version 2004 requirements remain applicable for Windows 10, version 21H1 release."

 

The company also added that drivers compatible with systems running Windows 10, version 2004 will be digitally signed for 21H1 using the same signature properties.

"Drivers that meet all the applicable Windows 10, version 2004 requirements will be digitally signed with the same signature attributes," Microsoft added.

Roll out expected during the next two months

While no exact date has been revealed for the launch of Windows 10 21H1, Microsoft is expected to launch the new version later this spring.

 

Microsoft first leaked that the next update will be 21H1 as part of a Windows 10 20H2 cumulative update released to Insiders on the 'Release' channel.

 

The new features and improvements added to 21H1 will be available to 20H2 users immediately after the update will be released via an enablement package that will turn on the Windows 10 21H1 disabled features as BleepingComputer found last month.

 

Since the Windows 10 21H1 will be installed via a small enablement package, this feature update will install very quickly on devices running Windows 10 2004 and 20H2.

 

Users running older Windows 10 versions will need to install the full update, which will take a lot longer given that it will most likely be 2 or 4 GB in size.

 

20H1 enablement package in Windows Registry

 

Since the enablement package already started rolling out, it is expected that it will slowly roll out to Windows 10 20H2 users as optional preview updates.

 

While the Windows 10 20 release date is still unknown, it is expected that it will most likely get launched either in March or April 2021.

 

Some expected but not yet confirmed new features in Windows 10 21H1 include DNS over HTTPS, a Task Manager 'Architecture' column, a 'What's new?' section in Tips, and better GPU settings.

 

 

Source: Microsoft confirms Windows 10 21H1 will run on existing hardware