Microsoft Gets Ready for Windows 10 Version 21H1

It’s finally here: Microsoft has announced that it will soon start delivering the May 2021 Update, which will upgrade Windows 10 to version 21H1.

“We are preparing the Windows 10 May 2021 Update (version 21H1) for release,” Microsoft announced. “We believe that Build 19043.928 is the final build for the May 2021 Update … We are continuing to improve the overall experience of the May 2021 Update on customers’ PCs through our usual servicing cadence. This means that Windows Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview Channels are already on ‘newer’ 21H1 bits as of earlier this week with the release of Build 19043.964.”

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Confused? Just ride it out, it’s not even worth explaining how the Insider Program works anymore. For now, here’s what you need to know:

You can download Windows 10 version 21H1 in ISO form here. Select the option “Windows 10 Insider Preview (Beta Channel) – Build 19043.928” (or “Release Preview”) from the “Select edition” drop-down to get it.

If you’re already in the Windows Insider Program’s Release Preview channel, you can grab the May 2021 Update via Windows Update by checking for updates (“seeking”).

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Conversation 11 comments

  • sherlockholmes

    Premium Member
    29 April, 2021 - 10:36 am

    <p>Oh joy. I have it. Why do I bother 😛 </p>

  • ebraiter

    29 April, 2021 - 2:27 pm

    <p>This will be using the "enabler" again. Unsure if it is finale but if you search for it [and making sure the link is from Microsoft] it should update your 2004 or 20H2 to 21H1.</p><p>If you are prior to 2004, you need to do a full upgrade.</p>

  • fbman

    29 April, 2021 - 3:20 pm

    <p>I only did the 20h2 update on the 27th of April. I am very nervous about feature updates these days, being effected by bugs in the past. There was a time in my younger days I would have wanted to be first to apply an update.. to say I have the latest version .. look at me.. in my old age I prefer stability over the lastest and greatest.. even my Linux box’s I only run LTS version of Ubuntu.</p><p><br></p><p>for me i now wait at least 3 months before applying any feature updates.. just apply security updates. So this one I will properly apply august/September.. maybe even October. </p><p><br></p><p>there is not any features in this update, that I can say .. I really need this feature like now.. it being like that for the last few feature updates.. the last useful update was the ability to add a calendar item directly from the task bar. I do enjoy wsl and winget </p>

  • peter_cook

    29 April, 2021 - 4:39 pm

    <p>Here we go again, more customers with failed e-mail, printers not working, lost WiFi, etc, etc…..</p>

  • Maverick010

    29 April, 2021 - 7:27 pm

    <p>I am preparing to fully upgrade all device to the 21H1 update, as it is more or less a minor update, and some of the fixes were already released even in the 20H2 update. It will be the 21H2 update I am more curious about as it seems to be building up to be a major update and with a possible huge app store update new/heavily updated UI, it could be just as big as when Windows 10 first launched. </p><p><br></p><p>On another note, I wish they could of done at least point release updates (for example 10.1, 10.2, etc.) as Windows 10 is just looking a little plane jane…</p>

  • Username

    29 April, 2021 - 9:01 pm

    <p>Finally… This: <em>Fixed an issue that causes blank tiles to appear on the Start menu with names such as “ms-resource:AppName” or “ms-resource:appDisplayName.”</em></p><p><br></p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    30 April, 2021 - 3:18 am

    <p>So a person could get either ISO and not be on the insider program but end up with the RTM build? </p><p>I have a machine I wouldn't mind trying with the newer build but don't want to commit to insiders once H1 has settled</p><p><br></p><p>(ie, are these ISO images the new form of the old "magic window"?) </p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      30 April, 2021 - 10:12 am

      Yeah, sort of. You could also sign-in to Insider, configure for Release Preview, install the build, reboot, disable Insider, and reboot and end up at the same place: You’ll get updates when they’re released publicly as normal.

  • oscar90

    01 May, 2021 - 4:10 am

    This was a big anticlimax. Installed 19043.928 on my private laptop and i cant find anything new with this build, and the much touted news and interests isnt there either.

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      01 May, 2021 - 8:29 am

      I believe that’s arriving with a Patch Tuesday update.

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