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Windows 10 21H2 (November 2021 Update) has been available as a minor optional update since November 16, 2021. If you have a laptop or desktop computer with a hardware and software configuration that is known to have a smooth upgrade experience, the new update should already be available for download through the Windows Update settings page.
However, since you must upgrade manually and during the early days of new feature updates, bugs and compatibility issues are known to happen, the question remains whether you should install version 21H2.
In this guide, we will help you to decide whether you should install or stay away from the Windows 10 November 2021 Update.
Is it safe to install Windows 10 21H2?
The best answer is “yes,” when Microsoft released Windows 10 21H2 on November 16, the new version was signed off as stable and safe to install on devices running version 2004, 20H2, and 21H1. However, the company continues to use its deployment technology to throttle the rollout to ensure that only fully compatible hardware receives the update initially, which means that the November 2021 Update is still not fully available.
Microsoft also has the health dashboard website, where the company lists the known issues for all releases of Windows, and thus far, there were only two problems listed, which have already been fixed.
Considering that the new version is a very small update and not many users reported problems, it’s safe to assume that if you have a computer already running Windows 10 2004 or higher release, you can install version 21H2 with minimal to no risks. The reason is that all these versions share the same core file system, so only a small “enablement package” is needed to apply the new version with a quick reboot that does not require reinstallation.
Using the enablement package approach reduces the number of problems during and after an in-place upgrade or clean installation. However, it does not resolve the issues with the feature update (if any). Although the new operating system does not seem to have significant problems thus far, you may still come across issues.
On the other hand, if the device has an older release, such as the November 2019 Update (version 1909), you may also be able to upgrade, but you should proceed with more caution.
Usually, upgrading from an older release requires complete reinstallation, and the process can sometimes cause unexpected problems. In addition to possible unknown and known issues because of the new system changes, you may also come across software and compatibility problems if the computer has outdated drivers, poorly designed apps, programs designed for an older version of Windows, or third-party security software.
Should I wait to install Windows 10 21H2?
If you are debating whether or not to upgrade, consider this. It is never a good idea to rush the upgrade to a new version of Windows 10 since during the initial rollout, unknown bugs, errors, and compatibility problems are expected.
After a new version becomes available, you will receive a notification in the Windows Update settings page letting you know if the feature update is ready. If you do not receive the notification, you should not try to force it using the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant because you may come across unwanted issues. And you may come across errors, such as “This PC can’t be upgraded to Windows 10,” “This PC can’t be upgraded to this version of Windows 10 because of a service or driver that’s not ready yet,” or similar errors.
When a new feature update becomes available, it’s always recommended to wait for at least three to four quality updates before pushing the upgrade button.
If the laptop in question uses an older release and does not have any problems, you should wait. However, you should not skip new versions completely. Eventually, that specific version will be discontinued and will no longer receive maintenance updates, leading to other problems and making the device vulnerable.
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