Microsoft has been releasing two Windows 10 updates every year since 2017, and this year will be no exception. This morning, the software giant discussed the next Windows 10 update for the first time on the Windows Hardware Certification blog, explaining that “The Windows 10, version 21H1 release will not bring updates to the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program and will follow the same guidelines as 20H2.”
So far, the Windows Insider team has yet to discuss Windows 10 version 21H1, but the update is expected to be another minor one like the version 20H2 was last fall. According to Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, Microsoft is almost done with the update internally, and it could start testing it with Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview channels soon ahead of a public release in May. The update may include some new features that have been testing in the Dev channel, though Bowden didn’t elaborate:
“It’s likely that 21H1 for desktop will see a handful of minor additions backported from the Dev Channel, similar to what Microsoft did with 20H2 last year. (…) According to an internal schedule seen by Windows Central, 21H1 for desktop is expected to be done in April, and I’m told the company is hoping to begin rolling out the 21H1 release sometime in May.”
If Windows 10 version 21H1 should be another service pack-like update for the OS, Microsoft is reportedly planning bigger changes for the 21H2 update later this year. The software giant could be working on a big design update codenamed “Sun Valley,” which may introduce a floating Start Menu and other UI changes. We hope to get more details soon, though the Windows Insider team is certainly taking its time to discuss future Windows 10 updates this year.
