Microsoft Confirms Windows 10 21H1 Will Run On Existing Hardware

Microsoft has officially confirmed that Windows 10, version 21H1 will be the next Windows 10 update to be released later during the spring of 2021.

Windows 10 21H1 will come with no hardware requirement changes when compared to Windows 10 20H2, the previous release, according to a blog post on the company’s official Windows Hardware Certification blog.

“The Windows 10, version 21H1 release will not bring updates to the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program and will follow the same guidelines as 20H2,” Microsoft said.

“Windows 10, version 2004 requirements remain applicable for Windows 10, version 21H1 release.”

The company also added that drivers compatible with systems running Windows 10, version 2004 will be digitally signed for 21H1 using the same signature properties.

“Drivers that meet all the applicable Windows 10, version 2004 requirements will be digitally signed with the same signature attributes,” Microsoft added.

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Roll out expected during the next two months

While no exact date has been revealed for the launch of Windows 10 21H1, Microsoft is expected to launch the new version later this spring.

Microsoft first leaked that the next update will be 21H1 as part of a Windows 10 20H2 cumulative update released to Insiders on the ‘Release’ channel.

The new features and improvements added to 21H1 will be available to 20H2 users immediately after the update will be released via an enablement package that will turn on the Windows 10 21H1 disabled features as BleepingComputer found last month.

Since the Windows 10 21H1 will be installed via a small enablement package, this feature update will install very quickly on devices running Windows 10 2004 and 20H2.

Users running older Windows 10 versions will need to install the full update, which will take a lot longer given that it will most likely be 2 or 4 GB in size.

Since the enablement package already started rolling out, it is expected that it will slowly roll out to Windows 10 20H2 users as optional preview updates.

While the Windows 10 20 release date is still unknown, it is expected that it will most likely get launched either in March or April 2021.

Some expected but not yet confirmed new features in Windows 10 21H1 include DNS over HTTPS, a Task Manager ‘Architecture’ column, a ‘What’s new?’ section in Tips, and better GPU settings.

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The first 21H1 preview, Windows 10 build 20150, was released by Microsoft to Insiders on the Dev (Fast) channel in June 2020.