Microsoft Windows 10 November 2021 Update Hits RTM, ISOs Now Available

By Brandon Hill
published

Window 10 will still be supported for years to come.

Windows 10 laptop
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Microsoft released Windows 11 to the public on October 5th – for new shipping systems and as an upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs -- but not everyone is so keen on upgrading. Windows 10 still works perfectly fine for many consumers (and businesses), so Microsoft is preparing to push the November 2021 Update (opens in new tab) out to these users.

In a blog post today, Microsoft said that Build 19044.1288 is earmarked for the Windows 10 November 2021 Update, which is now available to all Windows Insiders on the Release Preview Channel. For Windows 10 users that haven't joined the Windows Insider program, you can still grab the November 2021 Update early by "seeking" the software from Windows Update. To do this, you simply need to navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for updates." You should then see the option to download and install "Feature update to Windows 10, version 21H1."

Windows 10 November 2021 Update

(Image credit: Microsoft)

If you prefer the clean install experience, Microsoft said you can also download the Windows 10 November 2021 ISOs by visiting the following download page (opens in new tab).

As for what's included in the Windows 10 November 2021 Update, Microsoft explained that this release focuses on improving security and productivity based on continual user feedback. As a result, the following features are included:

  • Adding WPA3 H2E standards support for enhanced Wi-Fi security
  • Windows Hello for Business introduces a new deployment method called cloud trust to support simplified passwordless deployments and achieve a deploy-to-run state within a few minutes
  • GPU compute support in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows (EFLOW) deployments for machine learning and other compute intensive workflowsmpty list

However, one previously announced feature will not make its way into the currently shipping version of the Windows 10 November 2021 Update. "The new Windows Hello for Business deployment method known as 'cloud trust' is still under development and will be delivered in a future monthly update to the November 2021 Update," said Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc. "We will provide more information in the future as this feature becomes available."

Microsoft is still committed to supporting Windows 10 alongside its newly launched Windows 11 for the foreseeable future. Microsoft will pull the plug on Windows 10 support on October 14th, 2025, giving the operating system a 10+ year run in the marketplace.

Brandon Hill
Brandon Hill

Brandon Hill is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware. He has written about PC and Mac tech since the late 1990s with bylines at AnandTech, DailyTech, and Hot Hardware. When he is not consuming copious amounts of tech news, he can be found enjoying the NC mountains or the beach with his wife and two sons.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • tommo1982
    I honestly hoped there won't be new Windows versions in the foreseable future. Win10 with it's cloud and telemetry was something I could barely accept. Win11 goes beyond. I play old games, so Ubuntu will be my friend soon.
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    tommo1982 said:
    I honestly hoped there won't be new Windows versions in the foreseable future. Win10 with it's cloud and telemetry was something I could barely accept. Win11 goes beyond. I play old games, so Ubuntu will be my friend soon.
    Win 10 will get its regular semi-annual updates for another 4 years, at least.
    Reply
  • The Paladin
    tommo1982 said:
    I honestly hoped there won't be new Windows versions in the foreseeable future. Win10 with its cloud and telemetry was something I could barely accept. Win11 goes beyond. I play old games, so Ubuntu will be my friend soon.

    I would rather make a streamlined Linux version that I control ALL the components of the kernel like Slackware than use bloatwareUbuntu any day.
    I use windows because it's what my business industry produces software and hardware for, if it was Mac Based I would use that.
    At home, I use a variety of systems, Windows, Linux, even Dos, (all on original Hardware not including VMS which I also use)
    I use operating systems that pre-date "MS-DOS" existence; (on various OS and Z80 CP/M systems of the '80s) and they all have a claim to the stars.
    Is windows evil. no. it is just what the people that don't care about hardware want, to run their MS-styled "Ipad" and do it all for them.

    If you learn and enjoy Ubuntu and find it capable of performing all the needs and tasks you desire, then good for you, the rest of us will have to continue to utilize the operating system.
    Reply
  • tommo1982
    The Paladin said:
    I would rather make a streamlined Linux version that I control ALL the components of the kernel like Slackware than use bloatwareUbuntu any day.
    I use windows because it's what my business industry produces software and hardware for, if it was Mac Based I would use that.
    At home, I use a variety of systems, Windows, Linux, even Dos, (all on original Hardware not including VMS which I also use)
    I use operating systems that pre-date "MS-DOS" existence; (on various OS and Z80 CP/M systems of the '80s) and they all have a claim to the stars.
    Is windows evil. no. it is just what the people that don't care about hardware want, to run their MS-styled "Ipad" and do it all for them.

    If you learn and enjoy Ubuntu and find it capable of performing all the needs and tasks you desire, then good for you, the rest of us will have to continue to utilize the operating system.
    I'm past the time to tinker with linux distros. I want an OS that won't force cloud services on me, and other 'always connected' things. I'm that old fashioned. Don't get me wrong. I love new tech. I only can't accept the direction it is heading.
    Reply
  • tommo1982
    USAFRet said:
    Win 10 will get its regular semi-annual updates for another 4 years, at least.
    Fortunately Microsoft clarified it. I'm happy with Win10, more than with Win7. I was expecting Win10 to last a lot longer though, with the "OS as service" thing.
    Reply
  • Mandark
    Me too
    Reply