Windows 10X is dead – long live the May 2021 update
Microsoft has released version 21H1 for Windows 10. The latest update is relatively small, mainly offering quality and security improvements. Interestingly, the blog post also just casually announces the end of Windows 10X.
Historically, Microsoft has provided a major update for Windows 10 twice a year. An extensive one in the spring and a more manageable one in autumn. This year, uncharacteristically, we’re starting off with a «smaller» patch. As a result, any innovations in the Windows 10 May 2021 update (21H1) are manageable, apart from quality and security improvements:
- Multi-camera support for Windows Hello: devices can now have more than one Windows Hello camera. If you use one internal and one external device, a default camera can be set.
- The Application Guard feature in Windows Defender has received a performance improvement. Microsoft Defender Application Guard is only present in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise.
- Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI): Microsoft has improved its Group Policy Service (GPSVC). It should now update faster, which will benefit remote work scenarios.
For the time being, the update will not be installed automatically on most devices, but distributed in waves. If you want to force the installation, you can do this in the Windows Update settings. Provided that at least version 2004 is present in the current installation. If this doesn’t work, the Update Assistant or the Media Creation Tool can be used.
R.I.P. Windows 10X
The first indications were apparent from the absent Surface Neo; Windows 10X intended for dual-screen devices will not see the light of day. Or at least not in the form of a standalone operating system, as Microsoft announces in passing in its update blog:
Following a year-long exploration and engaging in conversations with customers, we realised that the technology of Windows 10X could be useful in more ways and serve more customers than we originally imagined. We concluded that the 10X technology shouldn’t just be confined to a subset of customers. Instead of bringing a product called Windows 10X to market in 2021 like we originally intended, we are leveraging learnings from our journey thus far and accelerating the integration of key foundational 10X technology into other parts of Windows and products at the company.
In short, features that were previously envisioned and developed for Windows 10X will flow into regular Windows 10 and other products from the company. Microsoft realised that it prefers not to have a subset operating system.
In its blog, Microsoft also mentions examples of features originally planned for Windows 10X that have already been implemented in Windows Insider Preview builds. For example, a new app container technology that is used in products such as Microsoft Defender Application Guard. Furthermore, voice input has been improved, and a modernised as well as optimised new touch keyboard has been introduced.
I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.