Windows 10: Microsoft set to reverse Feature Update releases in 2021

In the past two years, Microsoft did release a major feature update in the first half of the year and a minor update in the second half. It appears that the company plans to reverse the process: the next feature update for Windows 10, which is the first update of 2021, appears to be a smaller update, the second feature update, released in the second half, will be a larger update.

Smaller feature updates install just like other cumulative updates for the platform. The download and installation process is quick, and a single restart is required for the update to complete. Full feature update releases have a larger size, and they often require multiple restarts to be installed completely on the system.

Microsoft released KB4598291 recently to the Release Preview channel. Our Deskmodder colleagues found evidence in the update package that confirm Microsoft's plans.



In other words: the Windows 10 version 21H1 feature update will be a smaller update that will be unlocked with an Enablement Package just like Windows 10 version 20H2. The Enablement Package unlocks features of 21H1 on the upgraded device.

It is already possible to install these, but that is suggested only for testing purposes. All that is required is to install the KB4598291 update and run a series of DISM commands as described on this page on the Deskmodder site.

Note: unless for testing purposes, it is recommended to wait for the final release of Windows 10 version 21H1. Make sure you create backups of the system and all important data before you proceed.

Microsoft has yet to confirm this officially but it seems that the company plans to reverse the feature update releases in 2021. The official release date of Windows 10 21H1 is not known either, as Microsoft has not revealed it yet, but it could come a bit earlier than usually considering that it is a smaller update and not a larger feature update.

Windows 10 version 21H1 will make just a few changes and introduce just a few new features to the operating system, including:

• TLS 1.3 support is no longer experimental.
• Manual DNS over HTTPS configuration.
• Search when configuring applications in the Settings app.
• Disk Management in Settings.

Closing Words


Updates to Windows 10 21H1 should run a lot smoother and with less reported issues than previous first-half of the year update releases. The second update of 2021 will be a larger update, along with more features but also more issues that users may experience when upgrading.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft set to reverse Feature Update releases in 2021 appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

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Microsoft January 2021 Security Updates

January 2021 Security Updates




The January 2021 security release consists of security updates for the following software:

• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based)
• Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps
• Microsoft Windows Codecs Library
• Visual Studio
• SQL Server
• Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
• .NET Core
• .NET Repository
• ASP .NET
• Azure

Please note the following information regarding the security updates:

• CVE-2020-0689 has been re-released. For further information see Security update for Secure Boot DBX: January 12, 2021.
• For information regarding enabling Windows 10, version 1909 features, please see Windows 10, version 1909 delivery options. Note that Windows 10, versions 1903 and 1909 share a common core operating system with an identical set of system files. They will also share the same security update KBs.
• Windows 10 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.
• For information on lifecycle and support dates for Windows 10 operating systems, please see Windows Lifecycle Facts Sheet.
• A list of the latest servicing stack updates for each operating system can be found in ADV990001. This list will be updated whenever a new servicing stack update is released. It is important to install the latest servicing stack update.
• Updates for Windows RT 8.1 and Microsoft Office RT software are only available via Windows Update.
• In addition to security changes for the vulnerabilities, updates include defense-in-depth updates to help improve security-related features.
• Customers running Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2008 need to purchase the Extended Security Update to continue receiving security updates. See 4522133 for more information.

The following CVEs have FAQs with additional information. Please note that this is not a complete list of CVEs for this release.

• CVE-2020-26870
• CVE-2021-1636
• CVE-2021-1637
• CVE-2021-1643
• CVE-2021-1644
• CVE-2021-1645
• CVE-2021-1647
• CVE-2021-1648
• CVE-2021-1656
• CVE-2021-1663
• CVE-2021-1669
• CVE-2021-1670
• CVE-2021-1672
• CVE-2021-1676
• CVE-2021-1677
• CVE-2021-1694
• CVE-2021-1696
• CVE-2021-1699
• CVE-2021-1707
• CVE-2021-1708
• CVE-2021-1711
• CVE-2021-1713
• CVE-2021-1714
• CVE-2021-1715
• CVE-2021-1716
• CVE-2021-1725

Known Issues


The following KBs contain information about known issues with the security updates. For a complete list of security update KBs, please see 20210112. For more information about Windows Known Issues, please see Windows message center (links to currently-supported versions of Windows are in the left pane).


KB Article Applies To
4598229 Windows 10, Version 1903, Windows Server, Version 1903, Windows 10, Version 1909, Windows Server, Version 1909
4598230 Windows 10, Version 1809, Windows Server 2019
4598242 Windows 10, Version 2004, Windows Server, Version 2004, Windows 10, Version 20H2, Windows Server, Version 20H2
4598275 Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Security-only update)
4598278 Windows Server 2012 (Monthly Rollup)
4598279 Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Monthly Rollup)
4598285 Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Monthly Rollup)
4598287 Windows Server 2008 (Security-only update)
4598288 Windows Server 2008 (Monthly Rollup)
4598289 Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Security-only update)
4598297 Windows Server 2012 (Security-only update)


January 2021 Security Updates - Release Notes - Security Update Guide - Microsoft

 

Windows 10X Not Released in 2021

Hello! Not Released for Windows 10X in 2021 but Going to Version 22H1 in Coming 2 Years ?

 

Futuremark Releases 3DMark Update with API Overhead Feature-set

Try on that build windows update? Or mighty google and decrypt an ESD?