Windows 10 May 2021 Update (21H1): news, bugs and more info

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Microsoft last week released the first major update to Windows 10 in 2021. The May update brings only a few new features. Let's see what they are, whether to worry about any errors, and how to speed up the update or prevent it from being downloaded.

In addition to the cumulative updates that are released each month, Microsoft also brings two major updates to Windows 10 each year. They are usually named after the month and year of release, so the Windows 10 May 2021 Update is coming out right now. After installing it, you will switch to Windows 10 version 21H1 - the version from the first half of 2021. The distribution of the new update started last week, for computers with Windows 10 version 2004 or later. For now, it's spreading gradually, so it's quite likely that it hasn't arrived on your computer yet. It can take days, weeks, or even months for the new version to come out for all compatible systems.

Windows 10 Update of May 2021: New and Removed Features

The May 10 update for Windows 10 is one of the smallest half-yearly updates released by Microsoft. The list of news is therefore very short and does not include anything special that most users might notice. So if you are switching from Windows 10 in version 20H2 or 2004, you should not be pleasantly (and perhaps not unpleasantly) surprised. The last three versions are even so similar that they will share the same cumulative updates. For Microsoft developers, this means an easier update process and less risk of errors.

• Multiple camera support in Windows Hello. If you're using multiple monitors or an external webcam that replaces the built-in camera, Windows Hello logon updates will make it easier for you to update.

• Windows Device Application Guard (WDAG) Acceleration. This virtualization tool contributes to greater security by running applications separately from the rest of the operating system. After the update, acceleration should occur, especially when opening documents or switching pages.

• Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) enhancements. Improving the performance of this service should make life easier for many home-based users.

Conversely, Windows 10 May 2021 Update removes some features and components.

• Microsoft Edge Legacy. The 21H1 version is the first to come without the original Edge (Legacy) browser, which was supported in March this year. It has been replaced by a new Edge browser with a Chromium core.

• Adobe Flash. It is also the first version that does not include pre-installed Adobe Flash. However, if you have previously installed Flash manually, it will not be removed by the update.

• Other removed system features and components. This version does not include Windows 2000 Display Driver Model (XDDM) display drivers, support for roaming settings (such as desktop background or theme colors), and Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC).

Windows 10 Update of May 2021: Known bugs

The May 10 update for Windows 10 includes a high-frequency audio bug when using a 5.1 configuration in combination with some applications and settings. However, this issue also affects versions 2004 and 20H2 after the cumulative update KB5003173. Fortunately, the second mistake will not endanger Czech users, because it only concerns automatic writing with the Furigana tool for Japanese characters.

How do I speed up or delay an update?

The update should appear in Windows Update, but it does not install automatically at this time. Therefore, unlike cumulative updates, you will need to confirm the update. If for some reason you can't stand it, you can download the Update Assistant from the Microsoft website or use the ISO for a clean installation of the system. If, on the other hand, you want to delay the update (for example, due to error concerns), the easiest way to do so is in Windows Update, where you select the option to Pause updates temporarily. In the Edit options setting, you can change the amount of time that updates will be paused (up to 35 days).