Windows 10 21H2 is officially out for insiders in the release preview ring and will start with OS Build 19044.1147. We can’t say for sure whether this is going to be a major or minor update as Windows 11 development is also occurring parallel to this. However, you can be sure of one thing which is users are going to get two options to choose from in the month of October 2021.
The idea behind continuing with Windows 10 is simple and that is to provide users a gap time of 4 years to decide when they are actually ready to make the switch. Till 2025, you will continue to receive updates either in the form of feature updates or cumulative ones.
With TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot restrictions on Windows 11, insiders are going to love the new Windows 10 21H2 OS. Though you will not get redesigned Start Menu, Snap Layout, and other important features that come for Windows 11, you are going to enjoy this build as well.
You may get access to Windows 10 Build 19044.1147 by becoming an insider and installing the KB5004296 cumulative update. Let’s see what’s new on Windows 10 21H2 and how to download/install this on to your device –
What’s new on Windows 10 21H2 Build 19044.1147
With the release of Windows 10 21h1 back in May 2021, we had noticed a few improvements being laid off. Well, the company has brought them here on Build 19044.1147 for Windows 10 21H2. For example – GPU compute in WSL.
GPU compute support in WSL
If you are an active member of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you will get access to a new concept i.e. “support for GPU compute” on your device. For now, this feature will allow insiders to leverage their GPU while working with WSL.
This will improve the performance of WSL containers and thus make it easier for developers to learn machine learning development. There are a few system requirements that you must meet before using WSL on your device and they are –
- Support of DirectX 12-based GPU from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel.
If your system does meet the above condition, you will instantly get support for the WSL install command. Getting this feature will let you update your Windows operating systems much faster.
WPA3 H2E standards support for enhanced Wi-Fi security
The other great work by the company on Windows 10 21H2 is enabling support for WPA3 H2E standards. Adding this feature to the new OS will enhance the overall security of the Wireless connection. Hash-to-Element (H2E) is basically a security feature that protects your device from side-channel attacks or reduces their effects at least.
Improved Windows Hello for Business
The company is aiming to introduce simplified passwordless models so that they could easily achieve a deploy-to-run state within a few minutes.
How to Enroll for Windows 10 21H2
As of now, Windows 10 21H2 ISO file is not available and you can get this only after enrolling in the Windows Insider “Release Preview Ring” program.
Note: If you had already enrolled in the beta program, and your PC is not compatible with Windows 11, your device will automatically upgrade to Build 19044.1147.
If you want to try out Windows 10 version 21H2 on your device, use these steps –
- First of all, reach out to the Windows Insider Program.
Settings (Win + I) > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program
- Move to the right pane and click on the button – Get Started.
- A prompt will appear asking you to log into your Microsoft account, do the same.
- Choose the “Release Preview Channel” option on the subsequent screen.
- Hit over the Confirm button to accept that you have read all terms and conditions laid out by Microsoft.
- Click “Restart Now” and your PC shuts down afterward.
- When the PC restarts, navigate to the following –
Win + I > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates
- The system will look for any pending release preview update online. If there is any pending update available, the system will automatically start downloading that.
- When the download completes, its installation will begin soon afterward.
- Lastly, you need to restart your PC again when the installation completes.
That’s it, your computer is now upgraded to Windows 10 version 21H2 Build 19044.1147.
Since Windows 10 is a part of the company’s Long-Term Servicing project, users are more likely to get such updates till at least 2025. The gap years are there to let users decide when they are all ready to move to Windows 11 OS.
Source – Windows Blog
