Windows 10: Windows 10 and 11 Wipe Feature leaves data behind in 21H2

GHacks · Feb 21, 2022

Windows administrators have a number of options when it comes to resetting a system locally or remotely. The option to keep data or have it removed is provided, but a new report by Microsoft MVP Rudy Ooms suggests that wiping does not delete user data anymore in Windows 10 and Windows 11 version 21H2.

Resetting a Windows device and deleting the data that is on it can be useful in some circumstances. Devices may be passed around to other company employees, they may be handed over to family members or friends, or sold on marketplaces such as eBay.

The wiping option is designed to remove personal data from the device. Most users keep personal data on their laptops and PCs, and it is clear that this data should not be handed over to the new owner of the device.

Ooms discovered that Windows' wipe feature left user data behind in the latest versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Remote and local wiping as well as Fresh Start on devices running version 21H2 of the operating system would leave user data behind in the Windows.old folder. The same procedures on Windows 10 version 21H1 cleared all user data from Windows.old like expected.

Ooms describes how he received a phone call from a CFO his company worked for to delete data on the CFO's old device so that it could be passed on to another employee. Since the company was "a couple of 100 miles away", Ooms decided to remotely wipe the device.

He made sure to select none of the options to retain user data after the wiping and discovered that user data was retained on Windows 11 after the operation completed successfully. Tests confirmed that wiping was affected on version 21H2 devices (Windows 10 and 11), and that the issue affected all forms of wiping and resetting functionality on these devices.

While Ooms used Intune to wipe the device remotely, he conducted local tests as well and discovered that data was retained as well.

Ooms created a PowerShell script that fixes the issue by deleting the Windows.old folder from wiped devices. It can be downloaded from the linked blog post.

Closing Words

The issue affects version 21H2 of Windows 10 and 11 only. The number of users affected by this wiping issue is unknown, but it could cause data leaks. Windows users who need to wipe a device without retaining the user data need to make sure that the windows.old folder is removed after the operation completes to eliminate any chance of data leaking into the wrong hands.

Now You: have you used wipe functionality before? (via Günther Born)

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Windows 10 and 11 Wipe Feature leaves data behind in 21H2 appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

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wiganken · Feb 21, 2022

Windows 11 compatible but not even offered 21H2??

I have an HP desktop PC and a DELL laptop and both are suitable for Windows 11 although it has not been offered as yet. Both machines have received the latest Windows updates and are on Windows 10 version 21H1 build 1288.

I am not interested in upgrading to Windows 11 but, if the machines are suitable for Windows 11, why aren’t my machines being offered the upgrade to version 21H2?

Are there issues with 21H2 that caused Microsoft to put an upgrade block on it?

I am happy with version 21H1 and I assume I will not be offered the upgrade to Windows 11 until version 21H2 is installed. Am I right in this assumption?

Thanks.

Brink · Feb 21, 2022

Microsoft introduces the next feature update to Windows 10: 21H2

UPDATE 11/16: How to get Windows 10 21H2 November 2021 Update

UPDATE 10/21: Microsoft Preparing Windows 10 21H2 November 2021 Update for Release

While we are excited for the next generation of Windows with Windows 11, we are also focused on supporting the more than 1.3 billion monthly active devices on Windows 10. Today, we are introducing the next feature update to Windows 10: Windows 10, version 21H2. Windows continues to play an important role in people’s lives as they continue to work, learn and have fun in hybrid and remote environments. Our goal is to provide new features and functionality via a fast and reliable update experience to help keep people and organizations protected and productive. Version 21H2 will continue the recent feature update trend of being delivered in an optimized way using servicing technology. Today I will share details on scope, how we plan to service the release and next steps.

Updated features delivered in a fast, familiar way

Windows 10, version 21H2 will have a scoped set of features focused on productivity and security, prioritized to meet our customers’ needs based on feedback. New features focused on productivity, management and security include:

Adding WPA3 H2E standards support for enhanced Wi-Fi security

Windows Hello for Business introduces a new deployment method called cloud trust to support simplified passwordless deployments and achieve a deploy-to-run state within a few minutes

GPU compute support in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows (EFLOW) deployments for machine learning and other compute intensive workflows

Given the continuation of increased PC engagement for remote and hybrid play, learning and work, we will deliver Windows 10, version 21H2 using servicing technology (like that used for the monthly update process). For consumer or commercial users with devices running version 2004 or later, the Windows 10, version 21H2 update will have a fast installation experience. As this Windows 10 release is targeted for the second half of 2021, Home and Pro editions of version 21H2 will receive 18 months of servicing, and Enterprise and Education editions will have 30 months of servicing. In addition, we will also launch the next version of the Windows 10 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) based on version 21H2 at the same time, and it will have five years of servicing as announced in February. More information can be found in my recent Windows lifecycle and servicing update, and we’ll have more news on future updates at a later date.

Next steps

Our launch approach for version 21H2 continues to fully leverage the Windows Insider Program to obtain user feedback and data insights on quality. Today we will begin releasing 21H2 builds to Windows Insiders who were moved to the Release Preview channel from the Beta channel because their specific devices did not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. This enables them to instead experience the latest innovations and enhancements in Windows 10 (note Insiders will not see new features noted in this blog right away, but in future Insider builds as they are ready). Broad availability of Windows 10, version 21H2 will begin later in the second half of this calendar year. We will provide more information on this release and the next Windows 10 LTSC release (including the next IoT Enterprise LTSC release) in the near term. You can always find the latest Windows servicing and update information on the Windows release health hub, now available in 10 languages. We look forward to hearing your feedback.
Click to expand...

Source: Introducing the next feature update to Windows 10: 21H2 | Windows Experience Blog

Download Windows 10 21H2 build 19044.1288 ISO file from Microsoft:

32-bit Windows 10 21H2 ISO: https://software-download.microsoft....309765429a6414

64-bit Windows 10 21H2 ISO: https://software-download.microsoft....d4cd8b6188ad17

Insider: The KB5003791 Enablement Package allows you to go from 2004, 20H1, or 21H1 to 19044 (v21H2).

How to Install a CAB File in Windows 10

Download KB5003791 CAB for Windows 10 v21H2 32-bit (x86) - 28 MB

Download KB5003791 CAB for Windows 10 v21H2 64-bit (x64) - 24 MB

Download KB5003791 CAB for Windows 10 v21H2 ARM64 - 24 MB

Delta6326 · Feb 21, 2022

Is it time for Windows 10 already?

Here's a good step by step guide on doing a fresh install.

How to clean install Windows 10 from a USB drive - Software - Feature - HEXUS.net

Windows 10: Windows 10 and 11 Wipe Feature leaves data behind in 21H2

Windows 10 and 11 Wipe Feature leaves data behind in 21H2

Windows 10 and 11 Wipe Feature leaves data behind in 21H2

Windows 10 and 11 Wipe Feature leaves data behind in 21H2

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