After the Windows 10 version 20H2, Microsoft is expected to release Windows 10 21H1 update in the first half of 2021. The next feature update for Windows 10 will ship with WSL, DNS over HTTPs (DoH), and a bunch of other improvements.
In this article, we've highlighted the new features that Microsoft is currently testing for Windows 10.
The article is based on the changelog of preview builds released to the testers in the Dev Channel, so these features may or may not appear in the Windows 10 21H1 update.
DNS over HTTPS (DoH)
21H1 update introduces initial support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH), which allows DNS resolution over encrypted HTTPS connections and it aims to protect your browsing privacy from outsiders.
With support for DoH support, Windows 10's version 21H1 is expected to boost your privacy and reduce online tracking by encrypting DNS queries.
"If you haven’t been waiting for it, and are wondering what DoH is all about, then be aware this feature will change how your device connects to the Internet and is in an early testing stage so only proceed if you’re sure you’re ready," Microsoft said in a blog spot.
In Build 20185 or newer, you can configure DoH directly in the Settings app.
To configure DoH for ethernet connections, follow these steps:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
- Click Properties.
- Select Edit IP assignment or Edit DNS server assignment.
- Enable DoH in the popup.
To configure DoH for Wi-Fi connections, follow these steps:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
- Click the adapter properties link.
- Select Edit IP assignment or Edit DNS server assignment.
- Enable DoH in the popup.
For more detailed information, see our article on how DoH works on Windows 10.
WSL
Windows Subsystem for Linux, which is a compatibility layer for running Linux binary executables natively on Windows 10, is getting another big upgrade in the 21H1 update.
Microsoft noted that a future release of Windows will add support for GPU and new command-line options for the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Microsoft would be adding CUDA and DirectML GPU computing support, which will allow you to use artificial intelligence and machine learning apps in WSL.
"This update will include support for NVIDIA CUDA, which will help enable professionals to use their local Windows machines for inner-loop development and experimentation. Additionally, this will also support DirectML, which will empower students and beginners to use hardware accelerated training on the breadth of Windows hardware, across AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA GPUs," Microsoft said.
In addition, there are plans to enable support for Linux GUI apps in Windows Subsystem for Linux. Microsoft also confirmed that users will be able to access the Linux files directly in the File Explorer.
For more detailed information, see our article on WSL improvements in the preview build.
Disk Management in Settings
As part of the Control Panel modernization plan, Microsoft is slowly migrating legacy Windows apps or tools into modern versions found in the Settings application. Starting with Windows 10 21H1 update, Settings app is also getting the new Disk Management tool, which will allow you to manage your disks and volumes without using the legacy tool.
Microsoft has introduced a modern 'Manage Disks and Volumes' utility that has better integration with the Storage Spaces and Storage Settings. Microsoft says its new disk management tool has been rewritten and it allows you to view disk information, create and format volumes, and assign drive letters.
To access this new tool, you need to go to the Settings > System > Storage and click on Manage Disks and Volumes.
For more detailed information, see our article on the new Disk Management tool.
GPU
Windows 10 21H1 update will also give users greater control over multiple GPUs when running apps in Windows 10.
If your device has two GPUs, Windows 10 will use integrated one as a power-saving GPU and the discrete graphics card as the high-performance GPU.
You can go to the Graphics settings under Settings > Display > Graphics Settings and specify whether an app should use the high-performance or power-saving GPU.
In 21H1 update, users with multiple discrete GPUs will be allowed to decide which graphics card should be set as the default high-performance card. In addition, Windows 10 will let you specify the GPU for each app.
For more information, read out article on GPU controls in Windows 10.
Improved Sound Device Settings
Microsoft will also allow you to set default devices for your speakers from Settings > System > Sound.
In addition, there's now a link to the per-app sound screen in the classic Volume Mixer.
These improvements will again reduce your dependency on legacy components.
Windows will tell you the new features and improvements in updates
Starting with 21H1, Windows 10 will tell you exactly what a new feature update has delivered in terms of features and major improvements. Microsoft is testing this new post-update experience in the latest preview builds of Windows 10.
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This new feature aims to address the concerns of unknown changes in Windows 10 after feature updates.
"We know that it doesn’t always feel clear what changed with a major update, or even how you can learn about and try out new features and improvements. This means that updates can feel time consuming without real benefit to you, and we want to change that," Microsoft said.
Microsoft says it will run the post-update experience via the Tips app that will highlight the most exciting changes on your PC after a major Windows 10 feature update is installed.
For more detailed information, check out our article on Windows 10's new post-update experience.
Task Manager
Task Manager has been updated with a new column called 'Architecture'.
This column will show you the architecture of each running process.
Comments
doriel - 4 years ago
Thank you for your article.
Wow, this new ms:settings app really does not look like 21st century peice of software! Such poor interface.
And finally, Tips is what really was needed. Really, I think that users should know what has been changed. This should be there since this cadence of udates was introduced.
TsVk! - 4 years ago
Yeah the settings app is terrible. Only a single settings window can be open at a time and you can only navigate through it one page at a time. So if you need to change multiple system settings at a time to perform a task you are left navigating back and forth like a terminal settings tree. Even Win 3.1 didn't place these unnecessary restrictions on machine administration.
MS has really dropped the ball on this one.
JohnC_21 - 4 years ago
"Microsoft has introduced a modern 'Manage Disks and Volumes' utility that has better integration with the Storage Spaces and Storage Settings. Microsoft says its new disk management tool has been rewritten and it allows you to view disk information, create and format volumes, and assign drive letters."
The "Modern" UI looks like crap. I would rather use a third party partition manager.
TanyaC - 4 years ago
I don't get the GPU feature. Each PC has a discrete GPU. There is one cable going from the GPU to the monitor. To use the Internal GPU I would have to run a cable from the motherboard to the Monitor and for every app or game that uses a specific GPU I would have to change the input source on the monitor?
I don't install IGP drivers on the PCs. Most PCs are HEDT anyway so they don't have IGP. But I certainly don't want to buy extra cables and run two to each monitor and then have to continually change input sources.
Or am I understanding this wrong?
Doesn't sound like anything worthwhile. and would be something I would want to completely disable so that everything just works as it does now.
The other features also seem "meh" too. A lot of hype over nothing substantial.
SeZell - 4 years ago
Exactly what I was thinking. Maybe in a laptop, but I just don't get how it would work in a desktop.
cat1092 - 4 years ago
I don't get the GPU feature changer as well, because have this set in UEFI to disable dual graphics (the included Intel HD 4600). I doubt it's going to override the UEFI choice on PC's, however on notebooks this may be possible because very few allows to set a discrete GPU as default.
Most of the notebooks which allows to run a discrete GPU may not have onboard GPU's, as in the case with high powered 1st gen quad core i7's. There are fewer today than then which allowed this. most Intel CPU's, other than Xeon & select 6/8/12 core models, has some type of onboard GPU.
I don't get it, why Microsoft wants all of this control over our equipment. We pay for it, so we should be able to decide on a default GPU upon boot. That said, if they'd instead offer us a choice as to which GPU was used at boot (NVIDIA GT 425M over 1st gen Intel HD Graphics), I'd be more open to the idea. Thing being, there's a NVIDIA Control Panel which covers most of these functions, although far from perfect. We'll just have to see what's offered, can always turn the feature down, sometimes can uninstall these in by Opening Start and type 'Turn Windows Features on and off'
Select the unwanted feature & uninstall. Just be sure to create a full disk image (backup to external drive) first, plus a Restore Point. The latter may help short term. Many forgets System Restore existed, it was buggy at first with Windows 10, now is far more reliable (yet not as much so as a physical backup!).
Hopefully Windows Features will improve, with less bloat. And many wonders why we 'need' 32GB RAM, well it's because Windows uses so much of it at boot. If running a notebook, I highly suggest opening cmd as Administrator and type 'powercfg -h off' (w/out the quotes) so that the computer will fully shut down. Kills the battery & not good for other components. Feel across the top of the bezel above the keyboard hours after thinking you've shut down & will see why, the heat will be felt. Batteries for modern notebooks are at least $125, plus labor if have to pay for install.
These are the 'favors' Microsoft has done for us & I expect no less here, more bloat to slow down our computers by invoking which GPU to use (unless there's an option not to ask again) Just my two cents on the matter.
Cat
herbman - 4 years ago
More changes that most don't want , Microsoft needs to leave people be, let them decide what they want but that's an unpopular opinion these days people like to be controlled.
Many have no clue that they're being controlled , feel sorry for those types.
doriel - 4 years ago
We should all go to Linux or iOS, cause MSFT has no intention in leaving users let their work, stop bullying with updates and collecting data. I mean look at the money they make! It makes me wanna barf, when something this hidious and marketing oriented is so successfull. They should be disciplined.
Just pick your Linux distro and go ahead. Its free and not so hard to understand. Just SW installatiom may be difficult and some other small things, but the output is amazing. You are free.
DyingCrow - 4 years ago
M$ has been on a complete roll to bloat their stuff as much as possible till it explodes. Looking back to XP and 7, there were many features we wanted and needed, but we knew they would never happen. In a way it was good things didn't change a lot, because predictability. That is thrown out the window. For the good, and for the awful.
"Feature updates" are not exciting.
Honest, what i really wish is that M$ offered the option to toggle run W10 with the "bare essentials" only, just being able to use a basic set of features, much like W98, for example.
But i still give them credits by listening to suggestions and implementing them.
cat1092 - 4 years ago
Thanks for the warning over some of this!
Hopefully the promise of sound drivers will be for real, as Realtek drivers are far behind the times w/out some additions by Microsoft & any 3rd parties who are helping. Am an audio/video enthusiast, so every little bit helps.