- Windows 10 21H1 has reached the end of support.
- This release will no longer receive security or maintenance updates.
- Computers running the May 2021 Update should upgrade to version 21H1 or higher release.
Windows 10 21H1 (May 2021 Update) officially reached the end of support on December 13, 2022. This applies to all editions, including Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and Windows Server version 21H1.
You can still use version 21H1, but Microsoft no longer offers support for this release, meaning that devices running this version will no longer receive security and quality updates or support moving forward.
If you have a computer still using the May 2021 Update, the system will soon upgrade automatically to the latest version, which in this case will be version 22H2 (Windows 10 2022 Update), but you can always upgrade manually.
To upgrade manually, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, click the “Check for updates” button, click the “Stay on Windows 10 for now” option, and then click the “Download and install” option (if applicable) to upgrade the device skipping Windows 11.
Alternatively, if your computer meets the minimum requirements, you can upgrade to Windows 11 using the “Download and install” option on the “Windows Update” page. Or you can perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of the new version of Windows.
Once the feature update installs on the computer, you will need to restart it to complete the installation. The process should not take long since version 21H1 and higher releases are small updates with only a few minor improvements and features, and the installation does not require full reinstallation.
If you want to upgrade to the most recent version manually, you can use the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].