Windows 10/11 21H1 brings new WSL features and map data update

Following a trail of leaks, Microsoft released what it’s supposed to be the first build of Windows 10 21H1, codename Iron, with just a few new features but rich on fixes.

And we are saying that Insider Preview Build 20150 is supposed to be the first build of Windows 10 21H1 because Microsoft doesn’t write anywhere on their announcement about this build being tied up to Windows 10 21H1.

It’s been a crowded period with Microsoft also releasing the Windows 10 20H2 for the Beta Channel, the former Slow ring, and issuing optional updates to fix printing issues caused by other June patch updates. 

The Insider Preview Build 20150 was released only for the Dev Channel (the former Fast ring).

First, we remind you that Microsoft decided to name the builds in this format: last two digits of the year followed by the first or second half of the year.

So Windows 10 21H1 is set to be released for the general public in the first half of 2021.

What’s new in Windows 10 21H1?

If you’re a programmer, you’re probably going to be excited about three new WSL features:

• GPU compute – A feature that allows your Linux binaries to leverage your GPU. That makes it possible to do more machine learning development and data science workflows directly in WSL.
• A new command: wsl –install – allows you to install WSL with just one command.
• The new command wsl –update – which gives you the ability to easily manage the Linux kernel version used by WSL 2 distros. 

Maps app will use data from TomTom

Microsoft also announced on the Windows Blogs that the Bing Maps Team started to update the Maps app for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel (Fast ring) to use the new map data from TomTom.

If you’re not aware, in February of 2019, Microsoft and TomTom announced that that they will incorporate all of TomTom’s map and traffic data across Microsoft Azure and Bing, and to power the Azure Maps.

Other improvements coming with Windows 10 21H1 include a new search box on the default app settings pages and a new Korean IME.

A long list of minor fixes

Microsoft also published a long list of minor fixes coming with the new Windows 10 21H1.

That includes issues like Visual Studio windows not accepting clicks, broken icons in several parts of the Windows 10 UI, or Search not accepting typed input.

What are your thoughts about the new update? What new other features you were expecting? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

[wl_navigator]