Microsoft has released a new update for Windows 10, known as the May 2021 Update (21H1). This update is available to users who have installed the latest version of Windows 10, and it includes several new features and improvements. One of the most significant new features in 21H1 is support for virtual reality (VR) headsets. With this update, Windows 10 can now be used to experience VR content, including games, videos, and other experiences. This support is built into the operating system itself, so users don’t need to install any additional software or hardware. Other new features in 21H1 include improvements to the Edge browser and Microsoft Office 365. The Edge browser now supports extensions, which allow third-party developers to create custom add-ons that can be installed on Edge. Additionally, Office 365 now supports drag-and-drop file sharing between multiple devices. This allows users to easily move files between their computer and their mobile device. Overall, 21H1 is a major update for Windows 10 and its various components. It includes several new features that will make using Windows more enjoyable and convenient for users of all levels of experience. ..
Windows 10’s May 2021 Update, also known as 21H1, was released on May 18, 2021. Like the 20H2 update, this is a smaller update that focuses on security improvements and polish. The big features originally planned for 21H1 have been delayed to 21H2 in late 2021.
How to Install Windows 10’s May 2021 Update
Windows Update will automatically install the update on your Windows 10 PC. However, you may have to wait—Microsoft gradually rolls out updates to PCs, bit by bit, watching to see if there are any problems.
To get the update immediately, you can head to Microsoft’s Download Windows 10 website, click the “Update now” button, and run Microsoft’s update tool.
Another Small Update for Windows 10
When Microsoft originally released Windows 10, the company was releasing two big updates a year packed with new features.
In recent years, Microsoft has shifted away from this. Microsoft still releases a significant update every six months. However, Microsoft has been releasing a “big” update with new features in the spring followed by a smaller update with bug and security fixes in the winter.
However, Microsoft is breaking the pattern. Rather than following up the small 20H2 update with a larger 21H1 update, Microsoft is releasing a small update in the spring.
Expect a bigger update with new features in late 2021. That will likely be 21H2, which will perhaps be called the October 2021 Update.
Small Updates Mean Fewer Bugs
When it comes to Windows, small updates aren’t necessarily a bad thing. These small updates are a much smaller download and install much more quickly without that long reboot process. They’re focused on fixing bugs and improving security. Microsoft is no longer in a mad rush to cram features like My People and Paint 3D into each Windows 10 update.
Windows 10’s developers sound serious about this responsibility. Here’s how Microsoft’s John Cable, Vice President of Program Management for Windows Servicing and Delivery, explains it:
What’s New in Windows 10’s May 2021 Update?
Almost nothing is new in Windows 10’s 21H1 update. However, under the hood, Windows is still being fixed with important security patches and bug fixes.
Here’s what Microsoft’s John Cable says we should expect:
Windows Hello Multicamera Support: When you have both an external and internal Windows Hello camera on your PC, you can now set the default camera as your external camera. Windows Hello is used for signing into PCs. Windows Defender Application Guard Performance: Microsoft has sped up WDAG, a feature that lets administrators configure applications to run in an isolated, virtualized container for security. Microsoft says opening documents, in particular, should be faster. WMI Group Policy Performance: Microsoft has improved Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC) and made it perform more quickly “to support remote work scenarios. ”
Microsoft’s Windows Insider blog post adds a few more details on the specific scenarios that have been improved.
That’s it—a quick, fast installation that fixes some minor issues.
What Happened to All the New Features?
However, all of the features that looked like they were coming in Windows 10’s May 2021 Update have been delayed. You’ll find a look at the interesting changes coming in our guide to Windows 10’s 21H2 update.
Here’s hoping that this long development process gives Microsoft a chance to make sure these features are good and stable before unleashing them on the world.
