What’s New in Windows 10 21H1 for IT Pros

Microsoft recently released the latest Windows 10 21H1, a.k.a. the May 2021 Update. This update also contains all features and fixes in previous cumulative Windows 10 version 2004 updates.

The update is available for users with devices running Windows 10, versions 2004 and higher, who manually seek to Check for updates via Windows Update. The recommended servicing status is Semi-Annual Channel.

Microsoft’s released feature list shows that the update is one of the smallest ones in terms of new features. This update focused on enhancements, performance improvements for existing features, and fixing bugs.

According to Microsoft, Windows 10 21H1 offers a scoped set of improvements in security, remote access, and quality to ensure that your organization and your end-users stay protected and productive.

Available Option to Upgrade Windows 10 21H1

How to get the Windows 10 version 21H1 (May 2021 Update)? You can speed up the update process to update devices running Windows 10, version 2004 or 20H2 to Windows 10, version 21H1. Learn more about the Easiest Option to Upgrade to the Latest Version of Windows 10 21H1

If you are looking for Windows 10 21H1 Deployment using Configuration Manager, follow here – Deploy Windows 10 21H1 Using SCCM Task Sequence | ConfigMgr | Step-by-Step Guide

• Windows 10 21H1 KB5005101 Cumulative Update Released
• Windows 10 21H1 Patch | June 2021 | Intune | Outlook | Excel | 3D Paint | Defender | Remote Desktop | Microsoft Edge
• Create SCCM Windows 10 21H1 Device Collection Using WQL Query ConfigMgr | Endpoint Manager

Windows 10 21H1 Features List

Here’s the list of new or updated features with Windows 10 May 2021 Update –

Windows Hello

Windows Hello multi-camera support has been added. Users can now choose an external camera priority when both external and internal Windows Hello-capable cameras are present.

Microsoft Edge

The new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser is included with this release.

Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC) has a performance improvement to support remote work scenarios:

Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG)

WDAG performance is improved with optimized document opening times:

• Fixed an issue that could cause a one-minute or more delay when you open a Microsoft Defender Application Guard (WDAG) Office document. This can occur when you try to open a file using a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path or Server Message Block (SMB) share link.
• A memory issue that could cause a WDAG container to use almost 1 GB of working memory when idle has been fixed.
• The performance of Robocopy is improved when copying files over 400 MB in size.

Here you can check List of New Group Policy Settings in Windows 10 21H1

Removed Features

The following features and functionalities have been removed from Windows 10 21H1.

Microsoft Edge

The legacy version of Microsoft Edge is no longer supported. Microsoft strongly recommends that customers build a transition plan to the new Microsoft Edge to ensure an up-to-date browser. The latest Microsoft Edge will be available as part of the Windows 10 cumulative monthly security update released on April 13, 2021. 

XDDM-based Remote Display Driver

This release removes support for Windows 2000 Display Driver Model (XDDM)- based remote display drivers. Independent Software Vendors using an XDDM-based remote display driver should migrate to the WDDM driver model. 

Features No longer In Development

The following features are no longer being actively developed and might be removed in a future update.

Internet Explorer (IE) 11

The IE11 desktop application will end support for specific operating systems starting June 15, 2022.

Personalization Roaming

The roaming of Personalization settings (including wallpaper, slideshow, accent colors, and lock screen images) is no longer being developed and might be removed in a future release.

Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) Tool

The WMIC tool is deprecated in Windows 10, version 21H1, and the 21H1 semi-annual channel release of Windows Server. It is superseded by Windows PowerShell for WMI. Note: This deprecation only applies to the command-line management tool; WMI is unaffected.

List of Updated Tools for Version 21H1?

To support the release of Windows 10, version 21H1, Microsoft has released updated versions of the following tools –

• Security baseline (final) for Windows 10, version 21H1 – Microsoft-recommended configuration settings, including explanations of their security impact.
• Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 10, version 21H1 – While natively accessible via the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\ folder in Windows, administrative template files can be downloaded separately used to populate policy settings in the user interface of Group Policy tools, allowing you to manage registry-based policy settings.
• Group Policy settings reference spreadsheet for Windows 10, version 21H1 – List of the policy settings for computer and user configurations included in the ADMX files delivered for Windows 10, version 21H1.
• Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation—This is a free 90-day evaluation of Windows 10, version 21H1, for IT professionals interested in trying Windows 10 Enterprise on behalf of their organization.

Resources

• What’s new in Windows 10, version 21H1 for IT Pros – Microsoft Docs
• Easiest Option to Upgrade to Latest Version of Windows 10 21H1 | No Need to Download 21H1 | Best Upgrade Option

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Author

Anoop C Nair has been Microsoft MVP for 10 consecutive years from 2015 onwards. He is a Workplace Solution Architect with more than 22+ years of experience in Workplace technologies. He is a Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group Community leader. His primary focus is on Device Management technologies like SCCM and Intune. He writes about technologies like Intune, SCCM, Windows, Cloud PC, Windows, Entra, Microsoft Security, Career, etc.