The OS version will not receive any security or quality updates in the future. Windows 10 22H2 or Windows 11 22H2 are available to users as alternatives.
Microsoft has as announced as part of the December patch day last security updates for Windows 10 version 21H1 released. in one blog entry the company points out that this version of Windows 10 will not receive monthly security updates or quality updates in the future to eliminate new bugs and vulnerabilities.
Windows 10 version 21H1 was a “small” feature update that could be installed on Windows 10 version 20H2 like a monthly cumulative update. It brought support for numerous Windows Hello enabled cameras and improved Windows Defender Application Guard.
Devices with Windows 10 version 21H1 should now be switched to version 22H2 very promptly if they have not yet received the update automatically via Windows Update. Windows 10 version 22H2 has been distributed since October. The update also heralded the switch from semi-annual to annual updates for Windows 10, which should now always appear in the second half of the year.
Users who do not install the update to Windows 10 22H2 run the risk of becoming an easy victim for hackers by the January patch day at the latest. Some of the patches released then will also affect Windows 10 21H1 – and will likely provide cybercriminals with information for the development of exploits. Vulnerabilities eliminated under Windows 10 22H2 and newer will be considered zero-day vulnerabilities under Windows 10 21H1 from January.
In its blog, Microsoft also advises switching to Windows 11 version 22H2 as an alternative. The new OS version should be offered for an upgrade-entitled system at the latest during a manual search for updates. Users can also use the PC Health Check app to check whether their system can be switched to Windows 11. New system requirements are barring many PCs from upgrading to Windows 11.
How many PCs are still equipped with Windows 10 21H1 is not known. Microsoft has not yet commented on the market share of Windows 11 either. According to figures from AdDuplex, the share of Windows 10 21H1 in all systems with Windows 10 or Windows 11 was almost 24 percent at the end of June.