Windows 10 November 2021 Update (21H2) has been available since November 16, 2021, and you can upgrade to the latest version manually whether you have version 21H1, 20H2, 2004, 1909, or an older release.

While you shouldn’t rush the new feature update to avoid potential bugs and other problems during the early days, the update has been out for some time, and it’s now fully available, and you can upgrade manually in at least two ways using Windows Update and the Media Creation Tool.

If you have a device with versions 21H1, 20H2, or 2004, the best way to install the 21H2 release is using Windows Update because the new release of Windows 10 is a minor update based on version 2004, and you only need an enablement package to upgrade.

However, Windows Update will take longer if the device has version 1909 or an older release. If you want to force the upgrade, you can use the Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade, preserving your files, apps, and settings. This process is similar to using Windows Update or the Update Assistant tool.

This guide will teach you the steps to upgrade version 21H1, 20H2, 2004, 1909, or an older version to Windows 10 21H2.

  • Upgrade to Windows 10 21H2 from version 21H1
  • Upgrade to Windows 10 21H2 from version 1909

Upgrade to Windows 10 21H2 from version 21H1

To upgrade to Windows 10 21H2 (November 2021 Update) manually from version 21H1, 20H2, or 2004, use these steps:

  • Open Settings on Windows 10.
  • Click on Update & Security.
  • Click on Windows Update.
  • Click the Check for updates button (if applicable).
  • If your device is compatible with Windows 11 and has the upgrade notification, click the “Stay on Windows 10 for now” option to get the version 21H2 upgrade option.
  • Under the “Feature update to Windows 10, version 21H2” section, click the Download and Install now button.
  • Quick tip: If the option is not available, it is likely, that the update is not ready for your computer.
  • Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 21H2 will install similarly to a regular monthly update on your device without a complete reinstallation. 

Open Settings on Windows 10.

Click on Update & Security.

Click on Windows Update.

Click the Check for updates button (if applicable).

If your device is compatible with Windows 11 and has the upgrade notification, click the “Stay on Windows 10 for now” option to get the version 21H2 upgrade option.

Under the “Feature update to Windows 10, version 21H2” section, click the Download and Install now button.

Click the Restart now button.

See also this video tutorial on the Pureinfotech YouTube channel walking you through all the steps to update successfully to the new version.

Windows 10 21H2 preview 

If you want to test version 21H2 before it becomes officially available, you will need to enroll the device in the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

To install the latest preview of Windows 10 21H2, use these steps:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on Update & Security.
  • Click on Windows Insider Program.
  • Click the Get started button.
  • Click the Link an account button.
  • Sign in with your Microsoft account.
  • Click the Continue button.
  • Under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, select the Release Preview option.
  • Click the Confirm button.
  • Click the Confirm button to agree to the terms and conditions.
  • Click the Restart button.
  • Open Settings after the reboot.
  • Click on Update & Security.
  • Click on Windows Update.
  • Click the Check for updates button.
  • Under the “Feature update to Windows 10, version 21H2” section, click the Download and Install now button.
  • Click the Restart button.

After you complete the steps, the device will install the November 2021 Update, and it will continue to receive updates for the time this release is supported. You can then gracefully opt out of the program to stop getting builds from the next feature update by turning on the “Stop getting preview builds” toggle switch in the Windows Insider Program settings.

Open Settings.

Click on Windows Insider Program.

Click the Get started button.

Click the Link an account button.

Sign in with your Microsoft account.

Click the Continue button.

Under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, select the Release Preview option.

Click the Confirm button.

Click the Confirm button to agree to the terms and conditions.

Click the Restart button.

Open Settings after the reboot.

Click the Check for updates button.

Upgrade to Windows 10 21H2 from version 1909

To upgrade to Windows 10 21H2 from version 1909, use these steps:

  • Open Microsoft support website.
  • Under the “Create Windows 10 installation media” section, click the Download tool now button.
  • Save the installer to the device.
  • Double-click the MediaCreationTool21H2.exe file to launch the tool.
  • Click the Accept button.
  • Select the Upgrade this PC now option.
  • Click the Accept button again.
  • Select the option to keep your files and apps.
  • Click the Install button.

After you complete the steps, the setup will continue upgrading your device to the new release of the operating system.

Open Microsoft support website.

Under the “Create Windows 10 installation media” section, click the Download tool now button.

Save the installer to the device.

Double-click the MediaCreationTool21H2.exe file to launch the tool.

Click the Accept button.

Select the Upgrade this PC now option.

Click the Accept button again.

Select the option to keep your files and apps.

Click the Install button.