Windows 10 November 2021 Update is Now Ready for Broad Deployment

Windows 10

Microsoft has announced that the Windows 10 November 2021 Update (21H2), which began rolling out on November 16 last year, is finally ready for broad deployment. The news was quietly published on the Windows 10 Health Dashboard last week (via Bleeping Computer), and it indicates that all Windows 10 PCs running older versions of the OS are now eligible to install it via Windows Update.

“Windows 10, version 21H2 is designated for broad deployment. As always, we recommend that you update your devices to the latest version of Windows 10 as soon as possible to ensure that you can take advantage of the latest features and advanced protections from the latest security threats,” the company explained on the Windows Health Dashboard.

As a reminder, the Windows 10 November 2021 Update was a minor update, and it introduced WPA3 H2E standards support to boost Wi-Fi security. Secondly, Microsoft also added a simplified deployment method for Windows Hello for Business. Lastly, Windows 10 version 21H2 brings GPU compute support in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

In addition to these improvements, Microsoft has recently rolled out a new Search Highlights experience for Windows 10 versions 21H2, 21H1, and 20H2. For business users, the new feature surfaces important content relevant to their organization, including contacts, recent files, and more. The Windows 10 November 2021 Update is ideal for PCs that don’t meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11.

Windows 10 version 20H2 to reach end of support next month

It is important to note that Microsoft is getting ready to end support for Windows 10 version 20H2 next month. This change affects all customers running the Windows 10 20H2 Home and Pro editions. However, Microsoft will continue to support the Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions until May 9, 2023.

If you’re still running an older version of Windows 10, it is recommended that you should install the latest update to keep receiving new security patches. To do this, head to Updates & security, and then click Check for updates. Microsoft is committed to supporting Windows 10 until October 14, 2025, and the OS will only get one major feature update once a year.