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| Microsoft has broken the tradition of Windows updates |
The next major update for Windows 10, 21H1, is expected to be released in the first half of 2021 and will focus on improving remote work solutions.
Traditionally, Microsoft has performed two major updates to Windows each year, with the largest feature launching in the spring, while smaller updates available in the fall.
While IT managers are accustomed to this approach, it appears Microsoft is working hard to change direction by 2021.
Microsoft's John Cable stated, Windows 10 21H1 Edition includes a number of specific features that can improve security, remote access, and quality.
He added: The feature we introduced in this update focuses on the core experience that customers currently trust us.
These improvements include:
- If you have both indoor and outdoor Windows Hello cameras, support for many Windows Hello cameras is set as the outdoor camera by default.
- Windows Defender Application Guard performance improvements include improved document opening times.
- GPSVC Windows Management Group Policy Service has been updated to improve performance and support remote work scenarios.
With the changes to the Windows Camera, you'll soon be able to log into an external Windows Hello camera and enjoy facial recognition using a laptop with a built-in Windows Hello camera.
Currently the OS does not support this scheme well, which means cameras like Logitech Brio cannot be used with Microsoft Surface series devices that also have Windows Hello cameras.
Other Microsoft enhancements to the 21H1 are explicitly designed for IT administrators to improve remote work support.
This includes reducing document open time for Microsoft's built in antivirus and improving Windows performance in terms of administration and configuration.
The 21H1 update installs as quickly as monthly OS updates. Microsoft has begun testing the update with beta testers starting today and plans to make this update available to all users in the first half of this year.
Microsoft is expected to carry out a major OS update during 2021. The company plans to make a complete visual transformation of the system called Sun Valley.
Microsoft also plans to break down the major changes to Windows for special events in the coming months.