What you need to know
- The Windows 10 November 2021 update is rolling out.
- As part of the news surrounding the rollout, Microsoft has also announced changes to the way it handles Windows releases and updates.
- One big item from the company's release news is that Windows 11 and 10 will be synced to the same once-per-year major update strategy.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 won't be jogging at different paces any longer. Effective immediately, Microsoft is syncing them up so that they're both set to receive one feature update release per annum. That's the target, at least; there's no guarantee as to whether that will happen. In any event, whether you're on Windows 11 or 10, you can now expect to see a big shakeup to your OS at the same pace as the other camp.
The next big Windows 10 update is slated to hit sometime in 2022's second half, and the "Semi-Annual Channel" servicing option term is being replaced. As of the November 2021 update, you'll see the General Availability Channel take over.
Here's what Microsoft had to say about the release news in terms of what these changes mean for long-term support: "We will continue to support at least one version of Windows 10 through October 14, 2025. As a second half (H2) of the calendar year release, Home and Pro editions of the November 2021 Update will receive 18 months of servicing and support, and Enterprise and Education editions will receive 30 months of servicing and support beginning today."
This news comes alongside other big scoops, such as the announcement that Microsoft is upping the speed of its Windows 11 rollout. For now, if you're still on Windows 10, you can enjoy the November update and expect another toward the end of next year.
