Windows 10 version 21H2 now available to all

By Robert Carnevale
published

Time to update.

Best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming
Best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • Windows 10 version 21H2 has been rolling out to Windows 10 PCs.
  • Now, it's in its "broad deployment" phase, meaning any and all can upgrade to it.
  • In Microsoft's mention of version 21H2's broad deployment, the company also reminds you to consider an upgrade to Windows 11.

For anyone who hasn't yet been able to upgrade to Windows 10 version 21H2, your time is now: That version of W10 has officially entered the broad deployment phase of its release. It's available to all who want it.

Microsoft posted a note (opens in new tab) about the development on April 15, 2022. It reads: "Windows 10, version 21H2 is designated for broad deployment. As always, we recommend that you update your devices to the latest version of Windows 10 as soon as possible to ensure that you can take advantage of the latest features and advanced protections from the latest security threats."

Given that earlier versions of Windows 10 have earlier end-of-support dates, Microsoft's above advisement is no joke. Should you want security updates for as long as possible on Windows 10, it behooves you to upgrade. Don't forget that Windows 10 version 20H2 service ends on May 10, 2022.

In Microsoft's broad deployment note, the company also mentions the steps to upgrade to Windows 11, in case you want to make the jump and don't know how to go about it. As Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, one can estimate its servicing timeline will long outlast Windows 10's, meaning those who want the absolute maximum in futureproofing should consider an upgrade.

For those tired of Microsoft advertising Windows 11, don't expect it to end anytime soon. So long as companies and firms can make questionable claims about Windows 11's supposedly slow adoption rate, Redmond isn't likely to cool its jets.

Robert Carnevale
Robert Carnevale

Robert Carnevale is the News Editor for Windows Central. He's a big fan of Kinect (it lives on in his heart), Sonic the Hedgehog, and the legendary intersection of those two titans, Sonic Free Riders. He is the author of Cold War 2395. Have a useful tip? Send it to robert.carnevale@futurenet.com.

10 Comments
  • Tried 11 on two different PCs and gaming was heavily affected, with constant crashes. No 11 anytime soon.
  • I recommend doing a full system reset. I did this, and holy cow my PC performance is AMAZING. I was having HORRIBLE performance issues playing battlefield 2042. Did a reset and started from scratch and how cow. I know it might be a pain in the ass, but worth trying if you are able to.
  • One build was a fresh install. But it seems certain games are not windows 11 compatible yet. Valorant for example.
  • I had a lot of problems with an upgrade to 11 and fat less with a new computer that came with it. Granted the new PC was a few generations newer, so that probably helped. I still think that 11 is less stable over all, but it will get there.
  • Windows don't change at all over the years, performance deteriorates as time goes on, done that from Windows 95 to the modern Windows. We should not have to do fresh installations to keep windows working well. A friend got Macs, some of them are five years old or more, and they still work as well now as they did when they were new, and have never had a fresh install, apart from one, the same with Linux, i know people who have had Linux on their machines for years and again no downgrade in performance, it just shows how bad Windows really is.
  • Not the windows itself is the problem, but the apps. Some of them live .reg files even after uninstall, cauzing serious problems to the OS in the long run. Thats one of the many reasons i choose modern apps from store over an exe, but that solution was crushed with the new windows 11 policy as well.
  • My laptop says that Ver. 21H2 was installed 7-9-2021..........how's that possible. It's a shame I can't attach a screenshot. I got W10 Pro.
  • It appears it took close to a year of changes for the various hardware platforms to all be recognized/supported by W10 2021. That is not a glowing endorsement of Microsoft's abilities to produce a viable product the day of release.
  • This is great! Nothing I like better than the supreme joy and bliss of yet another Windows "upgrade". I'll be sure to block out a week or so for unproductive frustration, and stock up on bourbon for the effort.
  • Weird thing, my old main desktop (Sandy Bridge) has 21H1 and has not received the update option to 21H2. Just force-checked.
    All my other mobile PCs got the 21H2 update option in the last months. Tbh, it was the same with 20--->21H1, as I remember, only when 21H2 came out, then 21H1 showed up as an update option for my destop running a 2020 update.
    Oh well, besides an earlier EOL for 21H1, I saw no real reason for private desktop users to update to 21H2.