Microsoft is preparing Windows 10 Mai 2021 Update (21H1)

[German]Microsoft is preparing the next feature update for the spring release of Windows 10. This new Windows 10 build will be released as version 21H1 and is – big surprise – supposed to come as Windows 10 May 2021 update. At least, that's what Microsoft just announced and plans to commit the build in question today. Here's some information on what's known so far.

I was long aware, that we will have a feature update for Windows 10 in Spring 2021. EP has left this night this comment about the new Microsoft announcement – and I became also aware about the topics via this tweet.

In a blog post Preparing the Windows 10 May 2021 Update for Release LeBlanc reveals that Microsoft developers are preparing the Windows 10 May 2021 Update (version 21H1) for release. The team expects build 19043.928 to be the final build for the May 2021 Update. For Windows Insiders, this build should be downloadable as an installation media in the form of an ISO file from this Microsoft page.

Insider are already testing build 964

However, until the general release, Microsoft will continue the maintenance interval and release more updates for this Windows 10 build. This means that Windows Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview channels are already on "newer" 21H1 build since the beginning of this week with the release of build 19043.964.

Update to Windows 10 Mai 2021 Update (Version 21H1)

Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel should already be offered the Windows 10 May 2021 Update in Windows Update when they let it check for updates (go to the Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update page and let it check for updates, then select download and install 21H1). Once the feature update has been installed on the Windows Insider's system, they will automatically receive new service updates via Windows Update (as with the monthly update process). People should then also receive the newer build 19043.964.

Users in the Windows Insider Program for Business have been able to test pre-release versions of Windows 10 21H1 on systems in a business environment since March 2021 and also receive support from Microsoft. But that's limited to Windows 10 Enterprise and Pro editions at business customers (see also this blog post and my blog post Windows 10 21H1: For business users available via WU and WSUS).

Release date open; minor update for 2004/20H2.

However, Microsoft has not commented on the final release date, from which Windows 10 21H1 will be available for all users via the update search. What is known, however, is that Windows 10 21H1, similar to Windows 10 version 1903/1909 and Windows 10 version 2004/20H2, will only be rolled out as a small feature update. For this purpose, the changes are already prepared via monthly updates to the existing Windows 10 versions 2004 and 20H2. Upon release, there is then an enablement update of a few KBytes, which then unlocks the new features in the Windows 10 21H1 (see also my explanations in the article Windows 10 21H1 officially announced, testing started with Insider in Beta channel).

However, since Microsoft is rolling out the same cumulative updates for Windows 10 version 2004, version 20H2 and version 21H1, the two older builds will also get all the changes for 20H1 installed. In the blog post Windows 10 2004/20H2: Preview Update KB4601382 (Feb. 24, 2021), I had mentioned that cumulative update KB4601382 was released for Windows 10 version 2004 and 20H2. But this is exactly the update mentioned above, which has been tested with insiders for some time. All that's missing is the general release of the Enablement Update, so machines running Windows 10 version 2004/20H2 will be upgraded to Windows 10 21H1. I think May 2021 probably should be the time for the public release.

Similar articles:
Windows 10 21H1 officially announced, testing started with Insider in Beta channel
The New Windows is coming; Windows 10 21H1 already rolled out?
Windows 10 2004/20H2: Preview Update KB4601382 (Feb. 24, 2021)
Windows 10 21H1: For business users available via WU and WSUS
Windows 10 21H1 is in Release Preview Channel