Want to try the latest major feature update for Windows 10? If you do not mind living in the wild with a beta – something you could I don’t want to risk if Windows applications are essential to be able to do your job and / or function in real life – getting access to Windows 10 21H1 early is easy.
Before you begin, create a backup of your system just in case. It’s your call if that means cloning your entire hard drive or copying over critical files to cloud or external storage. However, choose to keep your data, make sure you do something; yyou never know when it might cause a Windows 10 beta Unforeseen problems. (Idoes not happen with regular Windows updates, so …)
IYou’re afraid a beta might break one super important applications that you use regularly, considering beta avoidance or do a full disk clone so that you can quickly and easily restore it back to your stable operating system if disaster strikes. Or, heck, you could always run Windows 10 21H1 in one virtual machine if you want to check for new features without affecting your current operating system at all.
Once you’ve decided, sign up for Windows Insider if you haven’t already. You will find the option in Settings> Update and security> Windows Insider program. Once you’ve set it up, you only need a few minutes and ahmany clicks, make sure you have chosen Beta channel for updates.
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When you run Windows Update, you should see the special notice box for Windows 10 21H1. The updated operating system will not be installed automatically (for now); you will need to trigger the download and install it yourself.
You can click the “See what’s in this update” link if you want, but from now on, in fact, you won’t be taken to a site that shows you what’s new in Windows 10 21H1. To save your web search, here it is a small list of features you will receive in addition to a lot of bug fixes and security:
- Windows Hello Multi-Camera Support, to set the default setting as an external camera when both external and internal Windows Hello cameras are present.
- Windows Defender Application Guard performance enhancements, including optimizing the opening hours of documents.
- Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC), updating performance improvements to support remote work scenarios.
The Windows update that actually contains introduces you You probably care about (and will use) is Windows 10 21H2, scheduled to arrive at some point this fall. It’s a little silly if you were looking for, say, play with a new float Start menu, but chances are good now that you’re a Windows Insider will be able to get its hands on a beta version of the operating system before its official release. Wuntil Windows 10 21H1 might not excite you, at least you are now are familiar with the process and are in the beta channel for anyone and everyone future (more exciting) updates.
If if you want to cancel the beta track for any reason, simply go back to the Windows Insider program screen in the Windows Update settings and select the option to No more preview versions. Consider the change channel to Release Preview. This won’t help you get back to your current beta, but it will stick with a much more stable version of your operating system – if that’s your problem – once it’s ready.