Although Windows 11 is the next version of the OS, Windows 10 will continue to be available until 2025, and version 21H2 (November 2021 Update) will start rolling out for business devices, computers that do not meet the minimum requirements to install Windows 11, or those users who are not ready to make the jump to 11.
What’s new on Windows 10 21H2
According to the Microsoft official announcement that version 21H2 will be a small update delivered as a cumulative update with a “scoped set of features focused on productivity and security, prioritized to meet our customers’ needs based on feedback,” some of which will include, a new improvement for Windows Hello for Business to allow the use of external supported cameras when the laptop already equipped with a built-in Windows Hello camera is docked or closed.
Windows 10 21H2 will also allow users without administrator privileges to configure the display language and other languages, and for Windows Autopilot, the update will add support for TPM attestation for Intel 11th Gen processors.
Furthermore, the new version will add WPA3 H2E (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 Hash-to-Element) standards support to wireless security that provides new authentication and encryption algorithms for both Personal and Enterprise local networks to overcome the problems with WPA2 and prevent new and sophisticated computers attacks. In addition, WPA3 was designed to increase privacy since it also prevents malicious attackers from gaining access to past communications even if they uncover the encryption key. The H2E (Hash-to-Element) part is in charge to prevent side-channel attacks and limiting the possibilities of future attacks. You can learn more in this Cisco article.
Finally, on version 21H2 for Windows 10, you will also get GPU compute support in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows (EFLOW) deployments for machine learning and other workflows.
The company has already begun shipping preview builds of version 21H2, but these improvements will be integrated into future previews.
Windows 10 21H2 upgrade
Sometime in November 2021, Microsoft has begun offering Windows 10 21H2 as a quick cumulative update for computers running version 21H1, 20H2, and 2004 that are known to have a smooth upgrade experience through Windows Update. Over time, the November 2021 Update will expand to more devices based on hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, and other factors.
If your device is compatible with Windows 11, and you only want to update to the newest version of Windows 10, then click the “Stay on Windows 10 for now” option to get the version 21H2 upgrade option.
Alternatively, you will also be able to install the new version using the Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation. In addition, you will be able to use the Update Assistant or even download the ISO file to create a USB bootable media.
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 15 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 21 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].