Windows 10 May 2021 Update now generally available

Razer Book 13 2020 Review
Razer Book 13 2020 Review (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The Windows 10 May 2021 Update is rolling out now.
  • The update doesn't include any major changes but does include some new business-critical additions.
  • The Windows 10 May 2021 Update also comes with the new Microsoft Edge preinstalled.

The biggest change in this Windows 10 update is that it comes preinstalled with the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge rather than the legacy version of Edge. The new Edge has been available for over a year, but this is the first time that it's been preinstalled in Windows 10.

The Windows 10 May 2021 Update also allows PCs with multiple Windows Hello peripherals to set a default device.

Here's everything that's new with the update. We'll update this list as Microsoft releases the official release notes:

  • Windows Hello multicamera support to set the default as the external camera when both external and internal Windows Hello cameras are present.
  • Windows Defender Application Guard performance improvements including optimizing document opening scenario times.
  • Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC) updating performance improvement to support remote work scenarios.
  • Removes the Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application that is out of support and installs the new Microsoft Edge.

Along with the short list of new features, the update includes several bug fixes and general improvements.

You can grab the Windows 10 May 2021 Update now through the Windows 10 Settings app, the Media Creation Tool, or the Upgrade Assistant. The update will roll out in waves, so you may not see it yet through Windows Update.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.