Microsoft releases Windows 10 November 2021 update

Microsoft today announced the general availability of Windows 10 November 2021, also known as version 21H2, includes new security, management, and virtualization features.

Microsoft reiterated that Windows 10 will continue to receive support until October 2025, and said that the Windows 10 release cycle will, along with Windows 11, revert to just one feature update per year from here.

The company also Post an online comparison about the features between the latest version of Windows 10 21H2 and Windows 11.

The catalyst for the change to Windows 10 was its successor, Windows 11, Released on October 5. Windows 11, will have its own refined service model – an annual upgrade with 36 months of support provided by those running the Enterprise or Education SKUs – which will replace older Windows 10 as the repository of sessions. new version.

For IT Professionals

Starting with security, Windows 10 21H2 sees changes to the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) VPN API, including the ability to implement common web-based authentication schemes and reuse existing protocols. Yes.

Version 21H2 also supports Wi-Fi 6 with Hash-to-Element Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3 H2E) protocol for better protection from Wi-Fi side channel attacks that can steal Wi-Fi passwords. -Fi and other sensitive information.

“In hybrid business scenarios, users will now be able to encrypt their web traffic when connected to an open network or home network,” wrote Alan Meeus, product manager for Windows 10. in a blog post.

Windows 10 21H2 also provides security updates for the following products and features: Windows AI Platform, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Apps, Windows Cryptography, Windows Fundamentals, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Kernel, Windows Media , Windows Office Media and Windows Virtualization.

Microsoft has also upgraded Windows 10 to allow provisioning of applications from Azure Virtual Desktop. This allows those apps to run like local apps, including the ability to copy and paste between local and remote apps. (This function is also available in Windows 11.)

In terms of new management features, Microsoft says it’s been working to bridge the gap between Group Policy and mobile device management (MDM) settings. The device configuration settings directory has been updated to list more than 1,400 settings that were not previously available for configuration via MDM. The new MDM policies include administrative template policies (ADMX), such as App Compat, Event Forwarding, Servicing, and Task Scheduler.

(Similar changes were made to Windows 11 to enable a consistent policy management experience between the two platforms.)

Windows 10 Enterprise

The upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise includes Universal Print, which now supports print jobs up to 1GB or batches from an individual user with up to 1GB in any 15-minute period.

Additionally, Universal Print integrates with OneDrive for the web and Excel for the web. This allows users of any internet-connected browser or device to print documents stored in OneDrive for the web to a printer in their organization without installing a printer driver on the device. their device. Universal Print will also be updated in late 2021 to support printing from Microsoft Excel for the web.

For organizations with special-purpose devices and environments, such as manufacturing or healthcare systems, or for those with other needs for long-term device update stability, Microsoft released a new version for Term Servicing Channel – Term Servicing Channel: Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021.

Windows 10 21H2 is available now through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Windows Update for Business. It can be downloaded from Sign up for Visual Studio, NS Software Download Center (via Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool) and Volume Licensing Service Center).

Update tools

To support the new release, Microsoft has released updated versions of the following tools:

• administrative form (.admx) for Windows 10 21H2 – While Original
  accessible through the C:WindowsPolicyDefinitions folder in Windows, administrative template files can be downloaded separately and used to populate policy settings in the tools’ user interface Group Policy, which allows you to manage registry-based policy settings.
• Group Policy Settings reference spreadsheet for Windows 10 21H2 – A list of policy settings for computer and user profiles included in the ADMX files distributed for Windows 10, version 21H2.
• Windows 10 Enterprise Review – For IT professionals looking to try Windows 10 Enterprise on behalf of their organization, Microsoft offers Free 90-day evaluation of Windows 10 21H2 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021.

Microsoft is also updating resources for managing and deploying updates within an organization, including:

• Windows release medical Center – The fastest way to stay up to date with news, updates related announcements and best practices; lifecycle and status reminders of known issues and safeguards. Windows 10 Enterprise customers can access more detail from the Health menu in the Microsoft 365 admin center (see “Windows release status”) and receive important notifications and updates in the Notification Center.
• Windows 10 leave information – List of current versions of Windows 10 by service options, along with release date, build number, end of service date, and release history.
• Windows 10 21H2 Update History – List of all updates (monthly and out-of-band) released for Windows 10 21H2, sorted in reverse chronological order. These updates will be available with the first maintenance release.

Additional updates

• x64 emulator for Windows on Arm.

Microsoft says it has received inquiries about the status of x64 emulators in Windows 10. Currently, updates to x64 emulators for Windows are usually only available in Windows 11. For those interested in using it. x64 emulator, PC running Windows 11 on Arm required.

The new one Microsoft Store begins rolling out Windows 10 PCs on November 10, Microsoft says it’s rebuilt the store to offer a more modern design and “intuitive search experience to create an open and accessible environment.” more beneficial for developers”.

The November 2021 Update is initially available to users with devices running Windows 10, version 2004 or later. All versions of Windows 10 2004 will end maintenance on December 14, 2021, while the Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 10 1909 will end maintenance on May 10, 2022. On that date, devices running versions 1909 and 2004 will no longer be available. also receive monthly security and quality updates containing protections from the latest security threats.