SquaredUp Dashboard Server allows connecting and aggregating data from just about any data source and presenting the information in modern, fluid dashboards. Supported are PowerShell, SCOM, Azure, SQL Server, WebAPI, Spunk, Elasticsearch, and more. The Dashboard Server solution is free to use, with very few limitations.
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Synology has really spent the first half of 2021 concentrating on their enterprise and SMB solutions, haven’t they? In just over 5 months we have seen 5 or 6 new Rackmount solutions arrive in their portfolio and although each of them is similar in software and arguably comparable in hardware, none of them provides the level of storage that the RS2821RP+ Rackstation that we are reviewing today can. The Synology RS2821RP+ is the latest in their small-medium business 16 bay solution series and much like other Rackstations that the brand has released into the market this year, the RS2821RP+ uses the popular embedded Ryzen processor, features ECC memory, PCIe upgradability and does this while supporting the full range of DSM applications. Arriving with twice the storage potential of the RS1221+, this solution with its £3000+ Price tag can be a touch intimidating for some. So today we will take a closer look at what this rather monstrous sized rackmount NAS includes, what it is capable of and ultimately whether the Synology RS2821RP+ NAS deserves your enormous data?
It is reasonable to say that when it comes to having a huge storage array, competent hardware and business class software, that the Synology RS2821RP+ does deliver on a number of its promises. Indeed, despite the huge similarity in internal hardware between the RS2821RP+ and other recent rackmount releases in 2021, the RS2821RP+ manages to still stand out with its unparalleled level of storage against the majority of solutions in the Synology portfolio. The price tag, edging closer to a number of Xeon powered solutions, may seem a touch high for some and given the difference between this 16-bay and the £1200+ 12-bay being relatively small – that price tag does seem a tad overly ambitious. That said, much like other rackstation NAS solutions of late, the jump from Intel Atom C3538 to embedded Ryzen V1500B was long overdue and although may seem fairly predictable and pedestrian now in, still remains a firm favourite. If the software and services of Synology Diskstation Manager appeal to you, you need storage in the hundreds of terabytes and you need a solution that is both scalable and centralised, you would be hard pushed to find a better solution from Synology right now without spending £5,000-10,000 without drives.
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| Synology RS2821RP+ PROS | Synology RS2821RP+ CONS |
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I’m not going to spend too much time talking about the packaging that this rackmount NAS arrives with. The Synology RS2821RP+ is a solution for business and hardly something you’re going to see sitting on the shelf of your local PC shop. However, I will take a small moment to highlight that Synology did not scrimp on the protection in transit and the RS2821RP+ arrives in multiple layers of the cardboard, as well as being surrounded in the usual rigid hard foam to protect it from motion and shock damage. That said, let’s be realistic though – the box itself is underwhelming in the extreme.
Opening the shipping carton however shows us an impressive level of protection surrounding the entire RS2821RP+ chassis and ensures that short of a forklift truck arm penetrating the box, that this system can withstand even the harshest typical logistics.
Inside we find and the Synology RS2821RP+ chassis itself and a small box of accessories. In recent years we have seen Synology scale back on the number of included accessories with their systems, with them sighting that most business users will have the default cabling already in place. For the most part, I agree, however, I don’t quite agree that rackmount devices should arrive with optional rail kits. Rackmount servers like these, especially 3U chassis’ like the RS2821RP+, will almost certainly live in a rack cabinet and regardless of sliding or fixed rails, will need them. Why Synology continues to make rail kits and optional extra still confounds me.
The unit itself is pretty massive and aside from its 3U height is also an impressively deep chassis in order to facilitate active cooling and ambient airflow throughout the full length of the chassis. Inside the accessory box, we find a light pamphlet on first-time setups that is significantly less useful than the online portal, as well as information on the 3-year manufacturers included warranty, screws for individual hard drives or SSD to be installed, power cables and that’s about it.
As mentioned, there isn’t a great deal to talk about in terms of external packaging on this but nevertheless, there are still the small branded touches for this box that are part of how Synology market themselves. Most brands would just wrap a label on a default one size fits all carton, and at first glance, it looks like Synology did that. However, a closer look at the box shows that it is printed with information dedicated to the RS2821RP+ NAS unit precisely and its little things like this that make Synology stand out in the presentation stakes. Let’s take a look at the unit itself.
The chassis of the Synology RS2821RP+ is one that many are already familiar with, largely because it has featured on each iteration of this product series and serves as the template for most of the Synology SMB rackmount solutions. lacking any kind of real-time LCD panel or connected interfaces like USB or HDMI, this system communicates either by using sound alerts, multiple LEDs or almost exclusively via the Synology DSM user interface and applications.
The front of the RS2821RP+ rackmount NAS is 95% made up of 16x 3.5″ SATA storage bays. These allow ventilation to be passed around the storage media inside, as well as further ventilation panels featured in the middle of each tray and at the top of the front panel.
These areas of passive ventilation work together with multiple active cooling fans throughout the whole system and this is how the RS2821RP+ maintains efficient working temperatures, gets away with passive heat sinks on components (instead of inefficient CPU fans) and ultimately allows the system to achieve the reported 2,220MB/s performance benchmark stated on official pages. The right storage media and external connectivity always play their part of course, but NAS servers at this scale and with this sheer volume of storage will generate a comical amount of heat, which is the kryptonite of high-performance in storage. It does mean that the system will also be insanely loud, but no one buys a rackmount NAS solution and expects it to be whisper-quiet. Each corner of the RS2821RP+ front panel features handles for moving the device in an appropriate rack cabinet, as well as a power and mute button.
Although the power button is pretty obvious, many users don’t actually realise that the mute button is simply to disable alerts that may come from the system as warnings occur. It always seems odd to me that rackmount solutions should feature a mute button and desktop solutions do not, despite the fact that most users will rarely be in close proximity to a rack-mount but will be to a desktop NAS solution. Nevertheless, this button is designed to silence warning alarms on the NAS without having to log in via the system software user interface.
The 16 bays at the front of the system each have their own dedicated LED notification light which allows users at a glance to see when drives are active, having status abnormalities or are completely unable to respond to the system. The Synology RS2821RP+ does not technically need the full 16x storage bays to be occupied in order to use the system and indeed you can run it with a single drive if you chose. This would be rather foolish however and somewhat underutilising the storage potential of this system, but nevertheless, some users may choose to partially populate the RS2821RP+ in an expandable storage configuration that allows them to add more drives as time goes on and their data requirements grow. This flexibility is especially useful when using Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), which I am pleased to confirm is available on the RS2821RP+.
Each tray also features a locking mechanism that allows you to ensure a drive is not removed by accident. This is not a key lock arrangement and will not stand up to any kind of physical abuse, but nevertheless is still useful when making sure that non-hotswap and hot-spare discs are not removed in error. Unlike a number of desktop SMB solutions, the Synology RS2821RP+ does not arrive with screwless click and load plastic trays. Instead, this rack mount system arrives with metal trays that support screwdriver installation of SATA hard drives and SSD. Once again, arguably metal trays generate noticeably more noise when in operation but in the case of this rather hefty rackmount, that would rather be a case of locking the door after the horse has bolted. Installation is quick and easy, with SATA SSD being available for use in caching or raw storage pools and volumes.
Generally, I would always recommend that a NAS system uses network-attached storage class hard drives (Seagate Ironwolf/WD Red/ Toshiba N300) and although the RS2821RP+ is not really an exception, at this kind of volume I would strongly recommend the use of PRO class NAS hard drives such as WD Red Pro and Seagate Ironwolf at the very least. Otherwise, go for Western Digital Ultrastar, Seagate EXOS and WD Gold SATA hard drives to really get the best possible performance that this system is reported to be capable of, even in a RAID 6 or SHR-2.
However – according to the Synology Compatibility pages for the RS2821RP+ NAS, only Synology HAT5300 3.5″ Hard drives and SAT5200 2.5″ SSDs are primarily supported by the NAS. There are a few exceptions in a Toshiba, Seagate and Ultrastar drive being added at the time of writing this review (see image below) and Synology have been observed in bending this rule in some places if a user is migrating from an existing NAS with alternative drives (or a chosen capacity is unavailable in the Synology portfolio). However, if you are in any doubt, I would recommend contacting Synology directly to check, as this is the kind of potentially prohibited support that would be a real pain, years down the line!
Removing all of the trays inside the RS2821RP+ and taking a look inside will show us each of the 12 dedicated SATA ports. As is the expected standard these days, separate power and data connection wire cables are long gone and replaced here with dedicated combination SATA ports and little to no exposed wiring visible. Equally, there is plenty of ventilation visible in order to facilitate that horizontal active airflow mentioned earlier.
The sides of the RS2821RP+ chassis are suitably nondescript for a rackmount, although a couple of areas can be highlighted. One side of the rack mount chassis features too small patches of ventilation, likely for side-mounted sensors and the wiring towards the front of the chassis. The other side is much more sparse but features an ejector button at the top.
This ejection button allows the end-user to access the removable internal fans for maintenance when the system is in operation. These fans can be removed even when the system is in operation, cleaned and then reintroduced into the system with immediate reactivation. The RS2821RP+ is not really designed to have its external chassis opened regularly, as a big part of the consistent successful performance is by using a controlled airflow environment for low temperatures. Nevertheless, I’ve always kind of liked this small token gesture by Synology in allowing maintenance without too much intrusion of their rackmount solutions.
The external connectivity of the Synology RS2821RP+, much like recent Synology rackmount solutions in 2021, will please some and annoy others due to Synology seemingly continuing to play-it-safe with the level of hardware on offer to bridge with your network environment. Once again, there is a huge amount of passive and active cooling visible, but it would be overstating it to say that the external connections available here are in any way groundbreaking.
The ventilation covers more than 80% of the rear of the Synology RS2821RP+ and this leads to a fantastically noisy environment with the reported ambient noise when the system is in operation at 53.5 dB(A). You know that bit when you’re on a plane and it is taxiing onto the runway? Well, that bit just before the plane begins to move and the pilot ramps up the engines is not unlike this rackmount when it is in full operation. Not exactly deafening but certainly impossible to work around in any kind of close proximity.
One area that Synology has received notable criticism for in 2020/2021 is their continued use of 1Gbe / Gigabit connectivity on all of their SMB solutions. Greater connectivity at 10Gbe is available on their SA and XS series devices, as well as the ability to upgrade this system to 10Gbe with numerous first-party supported cards (the most recommended being the E10M20-T1 combo card), but the continued use of gigabit LAN on Synology solutions has become a tad underwhelming. In their defence, they do provide four 1Gbe LAN connections on the RS2821RP+ which opens the door to link aggregation and failover support, but still, 100-109 Megabytes per second connectivity by default seems wildly unsuitable to this 16-bay solution, especially at over £3000+.
Equally, the Synology also arrives with USB connectivity as found on all of their NAS solutions. However, the USB ports on the RS2821RP+ are still just USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gb/s) connections, something that is looking a tad dinosaur in 2021. Additionally, Synology is quite strict about the supported range of compatible USB devices that their Synology NAS systems will work with and along with the lack of support of any kind of KVM setup, you cannot even officially use increased network interface adaptors over USB on this device to enable 2.5Gbe or 5Gbe connectivity. Support of large USB storage, office peripherals and UPS’ are still more than possible, but it’s still a tad underwhelming.
Lastly, there is the expandability of the Synology RS2821RP+ with the device arriving with an external mini-sas (12Gb/s) connection to connect the RX1217 or RX1217RP 12-bay expansion device. This ability to create a potential 40-bays of storage between the RS2821RP+ and a connected expansion is always going to be welcome for business and the fact they aren’t using more limited eSATA connectivity (as seen in the RS1221+ or RS820+) remove the potential for a bottleneck. This level of expandability was absent in smaller embedded Ryzen solutions from the brand and is therefore particularly welcome here.
Another popular feature of the RS2821RP+ that you would have expected is the inclusion of redundant power supply units (RP). The system arrives with two removable 550W oblong PSU modules that are connected in unison when the RS2821RP+ is in operation. This means that in the event that the power supplier fails (not uncommon in 24×7 utilisation and the PSU is arguably one of the most fragile parts of a storage server), the second unit will continue to maintain the device’s operation and audio alerts and push notifications will be sent to appropriate admins in order to replace the PSU as quickly as possible. These PSU can be exchanged individually without having to power down the device and many system admins will tend to keep a spare PSU on a shelf in order to facilitate this transition when needed.
These twin PSUs are included by default and are covered by the manufacturers 3-year warranty, as well as included with any additional warranty extensions you purchase. They are specific to each NAS model and you are unable to utilise the PSU from another Synology Rackstation model or another storage server due to this unique design. Each PSU is surprisingly petite for such a large watt rating and even then, is quite high for just needing to support 16 SATA storage devices and a single PCIe slot. Nevertheless, a big chunk of this power likely goes into operational cooling which the RS2821RP+ has in spades.
As mentioned, the Synology RS2821RP+ external connectivity and general ports are not exactly groundbreaking for this series of rack-mount devices. Nevertheless, this is a functional, if rather safe, arrangement on the rear of the device. Next up, we will take a look at the inside of this device to examine the internal hardware on offer.
Most rackmount NAS servers are quite similar to likewise scaled desktop solutions. There are differences in how chips are placed and certainly the controller board used in rack-mount devices will be wider, so active airflow can cross all the heatsinks, but generally, they can be compared to traditional computer mobos. The Synology RS2821RP+ controller board is surprisingly small for such a large system and although you likely (and rightly!) assumed that the majority of the internal chassis was occupied by the storage media and cooling, it is still a relatively compact controller board inside.
Accessing the internal hardware are of the RS2821RP+ is done via the removal of several screws dotted around the rear of the chassis. Whether you are doing this for maintenance, for PCIe upgrades or simply for reviewing the thing like me, this is a pretty straightforward way to get to the nuts and bolts of the Synology RS2821RP+ system. Efficient operation and low impact cooling are observed in great quantities inside the RS2821RP+ chassis and all components are sufficiently spaced out to ensure that airflow is consistently passed over the key processors.
The contents are remarkably similar to that of the half-sized RS1221RP+, however, the RS2821RP+ takes advantage of improved memory modules and the systems greater height facilitates taller network cards too. The CPU does not need active cooling/fan coverage and is kept at a good operational temperature with a comparatively large heatsink on top. There are numerous smaller heatsinks for individual controllers handling lesser processes, but the main CPU of the RS2821RP+ is where it all happens!
The CPU, as mentioned, is the AMD Ryzen V1500B processor. This is an SMB server-grade SoC version of the Ryzen series that is quad-core in architecture, with 2.2Ghz available per core. Although this CPU is not graphically embedded (as you might find on a Celeron or Pentium) it is exceptionally proficient at file handling and in previous tests with single and dual-port 10Gbe cards on the DS1821+, we were able to comfortably exceed 1,000MB/s and can easily see it reaching the RS2821RP+ reported 2,220MB/s top-end speed (note – that was with 16 SSDs in a RAID 0, so could be larger with an increased number of bays at our disposal in an expansion).
The above speed was achieved using the RS2821RP+ fully loaded with Synology SAT5200-960G SATA SSDs (2x 10GbE network environment), but the write speed was a little less impressive at just under 1,200MB/s. The V1500B processor has an excellent floating-point, AES-NI encryption (a more efficient and higher speed upgrade on traditional AES 256bit) and also allows higher quality memory to be used in the RS2821RP+ than in the RS2818+ NAS that came before it.
The RS2821+ NAS arrives with some excellent memory options (both in comparison to the RS2818rp+ and just generally) at 4GB of DDR4 ECC that can be upgraded over two slots up to an impressive 32GB of memory. Let’s break that down a bit. First off, the default memory available is the same as the 4GB that its predecessor arrived with – so not massively impressive, but worth noting. Next, there is the fact it is a maximum 32GB DDR4 memory in the RS2821+ (whereas the RS2818RP+ had DDR4 upto 32GB too but it was non-ECC). DDR4 consumes less power and faster in comparison with DDR3 with the clock speed of DDR3, in this case, being 1600MHz, while the clock speed of DDR4 is 2400MHz on this device. As positive as all this sounds, 4GB of memory on the RS2821RP+ does seem a little low for a 16-Bay system that could comfortably accommodate a 2x 10Gbe NIC or 1x 25Gbe SFP+ NIC upgrade. In those setups, 4GB will potentially be an early bottleneck. Additionally, the RS2821RP+ uses UDIMM memory (not the SODIMM found in the RS820+ or RS1221+) which is a fraction more expensive but allows higher performance.
Finally, there is the use of ECC (error-code correction) memory in the RS2821RP+. For most businesses, it’s mission-critical to eliminate data corruption, which is the purpose of ECC memory. ECC is a type of computer memory that detects and corrects the most common kinds of memory data corruption. Memory errors occur as a result of electrical or magnetic interference inside the computer. This interference can cause a single bit of DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) to spontaneously change to the opposite state. Electrical and magnetic interference is present as background radiation and is largely unavoidable the longer your system is operational. Generally, ECC memory is more expensive and there can be a slight slowdown when compared to non-ECC memory. The other components in the system, such as the CPU and motherboard, must also support ECC memory. Though most modern ECC memory is considerably better and the reported difference in performance is as low as 2-3%. In industries such as the financial sector and the scientific community, ECC memory is essential to maintain data integrity. Most server memory is ECC memory, as well. ECC memory further reduces the number of crashes, which is very important in multi-user server applications. So, kudo to Synology including this is a mid-range solution for SMB. This combined with the performance increase between the Ryzen SoC in the new RS2821+ over the Intel Atom C2538 in the previous RS1219+ (see comparison below) make the newer device a noticeable jump up in terms of internal hardware and performance.
Overall, the available hardware in this compact rackmount is ticking alot of positive boxes for me and, although the lack of the now VERY brand associated NVMe bays is annoying (forcing you to invest another £250+ on the E10M20-T1 combo card or £200+ M2D20 m.2 NVMe SSD card), it has to be stated that the RS2821RP+ still brings a good degree of performance to a genre of storage (affordable SMB large scale storage) that has largely only arrived with weak hardware in the past to maintain a half-decent price vs return. How does that translate to software though? What does Synology provide in DSM for the RS2821RP+ NAS?
Although the hardware featured in the Synology RS2821RP+ is arguably less impressive than the Xeons and SAS based storage connectivity found in the Synology FS, UC, SA and XS ranges, this system arrives with support of the entire Synology diskstation manager range of applications and services. Although this system software supports numerous third-party platforms and popular business integrated platforms, Synology is at its best when you purchase their solutions to utilise both the hardware and the software. SMB solutions like the RS2821RP+ aren’t designed to simply be brainless areas of storage and the heavier price tag is because they promise a range of software to replace paid subscription or outdated service programmes that exist in your business environment for handling files, communicating with clients and colleagues, managing multi-site backups and forming the basis of a surveillance system too. Alongside this, recent releases in the Synology portfolio have championed their support in the field of virtual machine deployment, both utilising and hosting virtual environments in existing third-party tools such as VMware and Hyper-V, as well as primarily using Synology own Virtual Machine Manager application. Below is a breakdown of recommended apps for small and large business users considering the RS2821RP+ as their next big business purchase:
Synology Chat – Aimed at businesses, Synology Chat is an IM service that transforms the way users collaborate and communicate.
Synology Drive – Host your own private cloud behind the safety of your NAS with 100% data ownership and no subscription fees.
Synology Moments – Manage your photos and videos with deep-learning algorithms that automatically group photos with similar faces, subjects, and places.
Synology Calendar – Stay on track, share calendars, and schedule meetings, while ensuring sensitive information remains safely stored on company premises.
Synology Active Backup for Business (ABB) – Consolidate backup tasks for virtualized environments, physical servers, and personal computers, and rapidly restore files, entire machines, or VMs – completely license free.
Synology Hyper Backup – backup you NAS safely and efficiently to multiple destinations with deduplication, integrity checks, compression, and versioning.
Synology Surveillance Station – Safeguard your business, home, and other valuable assets with reliable video surveillance tools.
Synology Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) – An intuitive hypervisor that supports Windows, Linux, and Virtual DSM virtual machines. Its powerful disaster recovery tools help users achieve maximum service uptime.
Synology High Availability – Synology High Availability (SHA) combines two Synology NAS servers into one active-passive high-availability cluster, alleviating service disruptions while mirroring data.
Synology Central Management System (CMS) – Synology CMS allows you to manage multiple Synology NAS servers quickly and conveniently from a single location.
Synology Video Station – Manage all your movies, TV shows, and home videos. Stream them to multiple devices or share them with friends and family.
Synology Photo Station – Built to help photographers manage their photos and share them with clients for feedback or business development.
Synology Audio Station – Manage your music collection, create personal playlists, stream them to your own devices, or share with family or friends.
Synology File Station – Manage your Synology NAS files remotely through web browsers or mobile devices.
Alternatively, you can test Synology DSM 7.0 Beta in an online demo by visiting below (Officially Releasing in Summer 2021):
As always, a full software review of the DSM 6.2 platform on the RS2821+ NAS is currently in process and I hope to have this to you here on the blog very soon or on the YouTube channel in due course. Stay tuned.
If you came to this review hoping that you would read that the Synology RS2821RP+ NAS is the best thing since sliced bread, then you may be disappointed. It is not that it is a bad NAS, it really is a good NAS and a solid release from the brand in 2021. Indeed, this system sits at a fine place in their portfolio, allowing buyers to spend their budget towards storage and away from unnecessary power. What’s the issue then? It is simply that it is not a particularly groundbreaking system off the back of their previous rackmount releases in the last 6-months and although it still stands as a notable upgrade over its predecessor, the RS2818RP+, the continued use of 1Gbe, the default inclusion of just 4GB memory and a slight whiff of Synology playing safe all add to this solution being good but not great.
If you want a server to wrap the popular Synology diskstation manager software around to improve your business and create the perfect in-house data eco structure, I have no hesitation in recommending the Synology RS2821RP+ NAS. But for this system to fulfil its potential, expect a few upgrades early on in the memory, network interface ports and connectivity in general within the first 2 years of ownership. Another solid, if overly safe solution from Synology NAS.
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| Synology RS2821RP+ PROS | Synology RS2821RP+ CONS |
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So, those were the key considerations for those looking to buy a new NAS or looking to upgrade/migrate from an older NAS Drive. However, there is still so much that you may need to know to range from operating system compatibility, how to connect the NAS in the best way, ideal software and the best backup methods. If you still need help choosing the NAS solution for your needs, use the NASCompares free advice section below. It is completely free, is not a subscription service and is manned by real humans (two humans actually, me and Eddie). We promise impartial advice, recommendations based on your hardware and budget, and although it might take an extra day or two to answer your question, we will get back to you.
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Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you.
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Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.
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Adding one of the best external monitors for the Surface Pro lineup — including the Pro 7 and Pro X — can turn it into a true workspace at home or the office. Sure, Pro devices have beautiful touch displays, but having all that extra screen real estate can really boost productivity. That's why we've put together a list of the best external monitors for your Surface Pro. Note that you may need an adapter to connect some of these monitors to your Pro, which uses a Mini DisplayPort or USB-C for video out.
Editor's Pick
Dell's U2721DE 27-inch monitor has a 2560x1440 resolution and IPS panel with 99% sRGB and 85% DCI-P3 color coverage for an excellent picture. If you're looking to create a multi-monitor daisy chain from your Pro 7 or Pro X, this will do the trick, thanks to DP MST Out support. It also has a ton of other ports (including USB-C) and USB-A for charging accessories.
Staff Pick
The Razer Raptor 27 might be the only display you need for your desk. It has a QHD resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and excellent color reproduction. It works with G-Sync and FreeSync, helping it strike a balance between gaming, editing, and media consumption.
4K monitors are an excellent investment in the future, and HP's Z27 is one of the best around. It has a minimal bezel around the 27-inch display, color reproduction is nearly perfect, and the adjustable stand lets you get the proper angle. Connect with HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C.
An ultrawide display lets you truly get down to work without needing multiple separate panels. The Philips Brilliance 499P9H brings a massive 49-inch screen with 5120x1440 resolution, 70Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, and DisplayHDR 400. It's curved for easier viewing, and it has a ton of ports to easily connect your accessories.
If you love Dell's monitors but don't need a huge screen, there is the 24-inch UltraSharp U2421E. It has a taller 16:10 aspect ratio, a thin design suited for minimalists, and many ports (including multiple USB-C) for easy connectivity. The 1920x1200 resolution could be higher, but color and contrast are both excellent for a satisfying picture.
The Surface Pro is portable by design, so you might be looking for a new display that can tag along. Lenovo's ThinkVision M14 is ultralight, yet it has a 14-inch 1080p display with 99% sRGB color and 300 nits brightness. Connect with one of two USB-C ports, prop it up with the swivel stand, and enjoy an extra display for bonus productivity.
Any of the monitors in this roundup can make an ideal addition to your Surface Pro. They're some of the best Windows laptops out there, including the refreshed Surface Pro 7 and Pro X, but there are a couple that we suggest looking at first.
Dell's 24-inch UltraSharp U2721DE brings a colorful picture, high-end build quality, and a ton of ports to the table, making it the best all-around pick for most people. If you're interested in connecting multiple monitors from your Pro 7 or Pro X with a single USB-C port, this monitor will do the trick to start a multi-monitor daisy chain.
If you'd like native USB-C connectivity to work easily with the Surface Pro 7 or Pro X, HP's Z27 is also an outstanding 27-inch choice. It has almost no bezel, a stunning picture with near-perfect color reproduction, and an adjustable stand so you can get a couple set up next to each other for a true workstation. And if you want to go with the ultimate pick for gaming and work, it's tough to compete with Razer's Raptor 27.
Despite being good on their own, Surface Pros get better when you attach the best Surface Pro accessories like these external monitors to it. You can also get docks, cases, and more. And if you're in search of a different screen, be sure to have a look at our collection of the overall best computer monitors.
Together Mode for Microsoft Teams is about to get a lot more customizable.
Microsoft Teams Together Mode allows you to place a group of people into a virtual scene, such as a classroom or coffee house. It's a fun way to customize a meeting experience, and it can also be used to make a call feel a little bit more natural. Soon, Teams will allow people to create custom scenes for Together Mode.
The feature, which was spotted by OnMSFT, will let people make scenes through the Developer Portal for Microsoft Teams.
Here's the description of the feature from the Microsoft 365 roadmap:
Microsoft Teams: Together Mode Extensibility
Build your own scenes that elevate your meeting experience. We believe that by making Together Mode extensible, creators can create immersive scenes and users can go beyond simple video conferencing. [Start] building your scenes by going to the Developer Portal for Microsoft Teams.
The roadmap indicates that the feature could arrive as soon as June 2021, but dates on the roadmap are always subject to change.
Currently, Together Mode only lets you select pre-set backgrounds from Microsoft. Creating custom Teams backgrounds for individuals within calls is an incredibly popular feature in Teams, so it's likely that custom backgrounds for Together Mode will be popular as well.
Free at Microsoft Free at App Store Free at Google Play Store
Together Mode in Microsoft Teams allows you to immerse yourself into virtual scenes for group calls. Soon, you'll be able to create your own scenes for Together Mode.
After upgrading to the Windows 10 May 2021 Update, use these steps to reclaim additional space if your computer is running low on storage.
When upgrading to a new version of Windows 10 (for example, the May 2021 Update), the installation process makes a backup of the previous setup to undo the changes in the event of a compatibility problem or critical error moving to the new version.
The only caveat with this safety mechanism is that even after the upgrade is completed successfully, the files will be kept, and they can take a large amount of storage in the "Windows.old" folder. Removing the previous installation files can help reclaim around 20GB of space, which can be significant for laptops with limited capacity.
Of course, this applies only to devices coming from a complete reinstallation. For example, if you performed an in-place upgrade with the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant, or upgraded an older version, such as version 1909 or an older release using Windows Update. The reason is that, since the May 2021 Update is still based on version 2004, devices running one of the two most recent versions only need to install a quick enablement package that does not require reinstallation, which means that no backup of the previous version will be made.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to remove the previous installation files after upgrading to version 21H1 using the Settings app and Disk Cleanup.
To free up space after installing the May 2021 Update from an older release (such as version 1909) or in-place upgrade, use these steps:
Under the "Storage" section, click the Configure Storage Sense or run it now option.
Under the "Free up space now" section, check the Delete previous version of Windows option.
Once you complete the steps, the previous installation files will be deleted, restoring several gigabytes of space on the main hard drive.
To reclaim up space using the Temporary files settings, use these steps:
Under the "(C:)" section, click the Temporary files option.
Check the Previous Windows installation(s) option.
Quick tip: You can also select other temporary files to reclaim additional storage. If you have important files in the "Downloads" folder, do not select this item or make sure it's not already checked (if applicable).
Click the Remove files button.
After you complete the steps, the files from the previous setup of Windows 10 will be removed from the computer.
Alternatively, you can still use the Disk Cleanup tool to delete the previous setup files after the May 2021 Update installation.
To use Disk Cleanup to remove the Windows.old folder with the previous setup, use these steps:
Click the Clean up system files button.
Check the Previous Windows installation(s) option.
Quick tip: You can also select other temporary files (such as Delivery Optimization Files and Windows update log files) to recover even more storage. If you have important files in the "Downloads" folder, make sure to clear the option.
Once you complete the steps, the "Windows.old" folder with a copy of the old setup will be deleted, freeing up storage on the computer.
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
The May 2021 Update is now officially available, but not every PC is getting it (on day one).
Starting on May 18, 2021, Microsoft is finally making available the Windows 10 May 2021 Update (version 21H1). This rollout represents refresh number eleven for laptops and desktops, and it is yet another update that brings improvements for security, remote access, and overall quality.
However, things will be different this time around. Instead of making the first feature update of the year the most significant and the second one a minor release, Microsoft is making the second refresh the bigger update with new significant features and improvements, and the first update will be considered the minor release.
As a result, the May 2021 Update will be rolling out as a quick quality update for devices already using versions 20H2 and 2004. On computers running the November 2019 Update (version 1909) or older, the process won't change, and the upgrade will require complete reinstallation. The only caveat is that the new update will roll out slowly, which means that initially, not every device will be able to install the first semi-annual update.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will share the details on how Microsoft plans to roll out the May 2021 Update to devices.
Beginning May 18, using the lessons learned from previous rollouts and technologies like Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Microsoft started deploying the May 2021 Update to devices that are known to have a smooth upgrade experience. However, the update won't install automatically. Instead, compatible devices will receive a notification in the Windows Update settings, allowing you to decide when to upgrade.
Usually, the release will begin with devices with newer hardware. However, it will depend on the latest version's stability since, in previous rollouts, the update had a few issues that prevented Surface devices from receiving the new version.
The installation experience will also depend on the version already on your computer. If the device is using the October 2020 Update (version 20H2) or May 2020 Update (version 2004), then it will only need an enablement package to switch versions. This means that the upgrade will install quickly, like a monthly update on devices using one of the most recent releases.
If the computer has an older version, such as the November 2019 Update, you can still upgrade, but the upgrade experience won't change, and full installation will be required.
As per usual, during the early days, Microsoft is expected to limit availability to minimize problems from reaching a large number of users. If an issue becomes relevant, a temporary hold will be enabled on affected devices until the problem gets a permanent fix. As the May 2021 Update gets more updates and proves to be more stable, Microsoft will expand it to more devices.
Other factors can also determine the availability of the update on your device. For instance, it could be a problem with hardware or peripherals connected to the computer, incompatible drivers, apps, security software (such as third-party antivirus), and the device's geographical location.
While you will have the option to upgrade manually, computers nearing the end of service will eventually receive version 21H1 automatically through Windows Update. However, this does not happen right away. Usually, it takes weeks or months before Microsoft begins pushing a feature update automatically.
The short answer is yes. You can upgrade manually as soon as the update becomes available. However, it is recommended to wait until the option appears automatically on Windows Update to ensure the feature update is considered compatible with your computer. If you cannot wait, there are multiple supported ways to upgrade using the Media Creation Tool and Update Assistant.
But before you jump to the upgrade process, you should consider that if the device already has the October 2020 Update (version 20H2) or May 2020 Update (version 2004), using Windows Update is the best option. The reason is that computers with one of the two more recent versions only need a small enablement package to switch versions. If you use the Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool, then a full reinstallation will be performed to upgrade regardless of the version installed on the device.
You should only use the tools when you have a device using the November 2019 Update (version 1909) or an older release or when the device has issues and will benefit from a new setup.
Along with the different upgrade methods, Microsoft also makes available the Update Assistant, a tool designed to upgrade a device when Windows Update is not working. However, you can use it to install version 21H1.
Once the May 2021 Update becomes available, you can click the Update now button in this Microsoft support website to download the tool. Then launch the Update Assistant and click the Update now button to upgrade manually.
Alternatively, you can also use the Media Creation Tool that allows you to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of Windows 10 with the May 2021 Update.
You can always download the Media Creation Tool from this Microsoft website and clicking the Download tool button. Then double-click the file, continue with the on-screen directions, select the Upgrade this PC option, and click the Install button.
In the event that the upgrade fails, you can try performing a clean installation to delete the current setup to start from scratch with a fresh copy of Windows 10.
Regardless of the option you choose, it is always recommended to temporarily backup the current installation in case you need to rollback or recover files.
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Smartphones and devices with foldable screens are gaining popularity, but there is still a long way to go before more people buy one.
I began writing about dual-screen PCs right around when Senior Editor Zac Bowden broke the news about Microsoft's 'foldable mobile device with a focus on pen and digital ink' back in 2017. That foldable device reality is slowly but surely coming to life with — ironically — Samsung leading the charge and Microsoft way in the backseat.
Today, the South Korean firm wrote a blog post doubling down on foldables. Citing its own internal consumer study, Samsung noted, "Galaxy Z Fold2 has 96% user satisfaction, and nearly 9 in 10 say they would purchase a foldable phone again." The company remarked that it had lowered prices, offered its Z Premier support service, customer referrals, and more to drive user adoption of the nascent technology.
In another recent survey referred to by Samsung, YouGov asked 2,000 people about foldables, and precisely 50% were either 'very interested' or 'interested' in the tech.
Dual and foldable screen devices still have a long way to go to win over audiences, but interest is growing.
Samsung owners were even more excited (52%) and Apple iPhone users less so (47%), which is unsurprising. It turns out, if your brand does not make a foldable phone, you are less thrilled about owning one (once Apple "invents" folding screens for the world, we're sure that will change).
Indeed, a lot has been happening in this burgeoning market. Huawei now has its Mate X2 Pro and Xiaomi has Mi Mix Fold – both of which iterate off Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 design. Microsoft has its Surface Duo, which doesn't have a folding display, but it is dual-screen, and we're expecting an overhauled v2 design with modern smartphone features (better cameras, 5G, NFC, etc.) later this year.
Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Fold (2020) is fascinating, but the software needs work.
However, the market also still has a long way to go. I haven't yet reviewed Lenovo's exciting ThinkPad X1 Fold mostly because Windows 10 is just a bad fit for the concept-defying device. I also think "defined real estate" with two screens is better than one that folds (the exception being the Galaxy Z Flip). Durability is still a concern, with 50% of people worried about things breaking, according to YouGov. So far, we have not seen many app optimizations for Android for either folding screens or dual. Pricing is also a significant factor, with 37% of Americans thinking the $1,000+ cost is too high, and companies need to do a better job convincing people the technology is not just a fad as 43% now believe.
But it is also evident that pushing the foldable form factor forward is still the goal for 2021 and beyond. Smartphone sales rebounded this quarter, but the industry is still looking for its next big thing, and all eyes are on foldables to reignite interest — and that is what is happening. Samsung Galaxy Fold3 and Z Flip 2 should drop sometime in July, Surface Duo v2 later this fall, and more are on the way.
For more deep-dives into the tech, make sure to watch MrMobile's Into The Fold video series, which explores state of the art in foldables including what works, and what doesn't.
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Is the Windows 10 May 2021 Update giving you problems? If so, then use this guide to troubleshoot and fix any issue.
The May 2021 Update for Windows 10 (version 21H1) is now slowly rolling out as a minor update for compatible devices. This is the eleventh major refresh based on the same core file system available with versions 20H2 and 2004, and it is the first semi-annual update expected for 2021.
Since this is a minor update, it will arrive as a quality update for devices already running the two most recent versions without the need for reinstallation. However, on computers still using an older release (for example, the November 2019 Update), the upgrade won't change, and complete reinstallation will be required.
Although the upgrade process to a new version is usually smooth, there are always chances of issues, especially if you have to upgrade from a version that is no longer supported. Usually, the problems happen due to the new system changes, but many other times, issues occur because of hardware and software incompatibility, outdated device drivers, or custom configurations.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the most common problems you're likely to see during the upgrade of the May 2021 Update and the instructions to resolve them.
On Windows 10, there are at least three types of problems when trying to upgrade. For example, you can come across issues with Windows Update, reactivation, and storage, which are usually not a problem with the new version. Instead, they are common issues during upgrades.
Then there are those problems that happen because of known or unknown bugs with the new release. You will see these issues during the installation process, and they are usually caused by compatibility problems with specific apps and drivers.
Also, there is a third kind of issue, which typically arrives after the upgrade, when you install quality updates that are supposed to resolve the problems with the original release, but they end up causing other issues.
This guide includes the instructions to deal with all these types of problems when upgrading to the Windows 10 May 2019 Update from versions 20H2, 2004, or an older release using the Media Creation Tool, Update Assistant, or Windows Update.
Although the recommended method to switch versions is to use the Windows Update settings, you may still come across problems that may not be easy to figure out, but there are a few things you can do to fix the problem.
To fix Windows Update issues installing the May 2021 Update, use these steps:
Click the Advanced troubleshooters option.
Click the Run the troubleshooter button.
Click the Apply this fix option (if applicable).
Quick note: If the "Apply this fix" option is not available, it does not indicate that the problem was not fixed. The tool will run a series of fixes, and if there's something else you need to repair, you will see the option to apply the fix.
Continue with the on-screen directions.
Click the Close button.
Once you complete the steps, the Windows Update settings should now work to install the new version of Windows 10.
If the error code is 0xc1900223, the problem is with the setup files, which Windows Update will fix automatically later.
In the event that you receive the error code 0x800F0922, it could be that the device cannot contact the server to download the installation files. It could also mean that there is not enough space in the System Reserved partition.
When Windows Update cannot download the files, it is usually because the device is using a VPN connection.
To disconnect from a VPN server, use these steps:
Select the VPN connection.
The above steps are meant to disconnect using the built-in VPN client. If you have a third-party client, check the software support website for more specific details.
The error 0x80073712 indicates that some installation files are either damaged or missing.
To fix the problem, delete the temporary files and redownload the new version using these steps:
Click the Temporary files option for the main drive.
Check the Temporary Windows Installation files or Windows Setup temporary files item.
After you complete the steps, use the Windows Update settings again to download version 21H1.
If the error persists, use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade the computer.
On Windows 10, it is not uncommon for security software to write data inside the System Reserved partition that could prevent a new feature update.
If this is the issue, you can use third-party tools to change the partition size to 500MB or more. If you cannot seem to fix the problem, then upgrade using a clean installation to fix this problem and other existing issues since you will be starting with a fresh setup.
When using the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant to install the May 2021 Update, the setup may stop unexpectedly with error code 0x8007042B 0x4000D or 0x800700B7 0x2000A if there another process conflicting with the upgrade.
You can quickly resolve this problem by terminating the process and restarting the setup. Using a clean boot to restart the Windows 10 setup or temporarily uninstalling the application causing the problem can fix the issue.
To use the Task Manager to terminate a process or application on Windows 10, use these steps:
Click the End task button.
After you complete the steps, start the setup again and continue with the upgrade.
To remove an app on Windows 10, use these steps:
Click the Uninstall button.
Once you complete the steps, the upgrade process to version 21H1 should finish without problems.
The Microsoft Media Creation Tool allows you to complete a clean installation or an in-place upgrade. However, even when this is the recommended tool when Windows Update does not work, you can also come across problems, including issues downloading the files and opening the application.
During the preparation process, the Media Creation Tool pulls the setup files and any available updates from the Microsoft server to install the most recent build of Windows 10. However, sometimes, the tool may get stuck during updates that will block the setup from continuing the installation.
To solve the stuck downloading files problem, use these steps:
Confirm the setup files finish downloading, and unplug the network cable or disconnect from the wireless network immediately.
Once you complete the steps, the connection will timeout and continue with the setup process without updates.
If you are using the Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade, it could happen that the setup won't start automatically after downloading the required files. If this happens, you may need to start the upgrade process manually.
To launch the Windows 10 setup manually, use these steps:
Browse to the following path:
C:\ESD\Windows\sources
Double-click the Setupprep.exe file to launch the setup wizard.
After you complete the steps, continue with the version 21H1 upgrade process. Alternatively, you can try the Update Assistant to update the system to the newest version.
If you are using a USB flash drive to install the Windows 10 May 2021 Update and the setup fails, some of the files may be damaged or missing. You can quickly get around this problem by recreating the bootable media with the Media Creation Tool.
To create a USB bootable media to install Windows 10, use these steps:
Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.
Click the Next button again.
Select the USB flash drive option.
Select the USB flash drive from the list.
After you complete the steps, the Media Creation Tool will create a new setup drive with the files to install the May 2021 Update.
If the media fails again, then use another computer to recreate bootable media.
Microsoft also offers the Update Assistant, a utility to install new versions of Windows 10 when the Windows Updates option is having problems. However, even with this tool, you may not be able to upgrade your computer.
Since the Update Assistant is meant to offer an easy mechanism to upgrade a device, the problems are usually related to networking, which you may be able to resolve doing the following:
If the problem persists, then switch to the Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade to the May 2021 Update.
The error code starting with 0xC1900101 or 0x80090011 indicates a device problem during the Windows 10 May 2021 Update upgrade process.
These are the related "0xC1900101" error codes you may find on Windows 10:
The installation of version 21H1 requires at least 20GB of space. If you do not meet this requirement, you will see one of the 0xC1900101 error codes. If this is the case, you can use the Storage and Apps & features settings to free up space.
You can use this guide to find valuable tips to clear up unnecessary files to free up storage space on your device.
If you have peripherals (such as external drives, printers, Bluetooth devices, USB devices, cameras) connected to the computer, disconnect them before proceeding to reduce the chances of problems upgrading to the May 2021 Update.
You can always reconnect them (one at a time) after the upgrade.
The error codes 0xC1900101 0x20017 and 0xC1900101 0x30017 may appear if there an issue with third-party security software.
Usually, you can mitigate this problem by temporarily uninstalling the third-party antivirus, anti-spyware, and any other security solution installed on the device.
To temporarily remove security software, use these steps:
Click the Uninstall button.
After you complete the steps, proceed with the upgrade process and reinstall the software one more time.
The error code that starts with 0xC1900101 or 0x80090011 indicates a drive problem with one of the components, which you can usually fix by installing the latest update available.
Important: When using an update you downloaded from the manufacturer support website, always use their instructions, and skip the steps below.
To update drivers on Windows 10, use these steps:
Click the View optional updates option.
Quick note: This option is only available when there is a driver update through Windows Update.
Click the Download and install option.
Once you complete the steps, the update will resolve the error codes previously preventing the device from installing the May 2021 Update.
On Windows 10, an error starting with 0xC1900101 could indicate an issue with the current setup. If this is the case, you can use the Deployment Servicing and Management (DISM) and the System File Checker (SFC) command-line tools to repair the installation and continue with the version 21H1 upgrade.
You can use this guide to use these tools to repair the Windows 10 installation.
Alongside DISM and SFC, it is possible to use the CHKDSK tool to repair logical and specific physical errors on the hard drive that includes the Windows installation.
To use the CHKDSK tool, close all the applications, and then use these steps:
Type the following command and press Enter:
chkdsk/f c:
After the computer reboots, the CHKDSK tool will run and repair any hard drive problems that it may find.
Alternatively, if the device continues to show an error code 0xC1900101, the best option to continue with the upgrade would be using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to perform a clean install of the Windows 10 May 2021 Update.
In the upgrade process to version 21H1, you may also see the error code 0x80070002 0x20009 that describes a problem with the setup unable to find the installation files.
You can quickly resolve this problem by removing any external drives connected to the device, including USB flash drives (except the setup media) and hard drives.
The error code 0x80070070 – 0x50011, 0x80070070 – 0x50012, or 0x80070070 – 0x60000 means the device does not have enough space to perform the upgrade. You can fix this problem by clearing up temporary files from the computer to free up space.
To free up storage space to continue with the May 2021 Update, use these steps:
Under the "Storage" section, click the Temporary files option for the system drive.
Check the items to remove.
Quick tip: When selecting the items, do not choose the "Windows Setup temporary files" or "Windows ESD installation files" options since these are the upgrade files.
Once you complete the steps, continue with the upgrade to the first semi-annual update for Windows 10.
If you could not make enough room, you can connect an external storage (such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive) with at least 16GB of space that the setup can use as temporary storage for the upgrade.
You can also use this guide with more recommendations to clear up more storage space on your computer.
As you try to upgrade a computer to version 21H1, you may see the error code 0xC1900107, which indicates that the system has not completed the cleanup of the previous installation files. You can quickly get around this issue by rebooting the computer, or you can delete the previous setup files using Storage Sense.
To remove a previous installation of Windows 10, use these steps:
Under the "Storage" section, click the Configure Storage Sense or run in now option.
Check the Delete previous versions of Windows option.
After you complete the steps, the tool will clean up the previous installation files, and you should now be able to proceed with the update.
The error code 0x800F0923 describes a compatibility problem with a drive or program installed on the device.
Although many applications (outdated programs, old drivers, or third-party antivirus) can be the reason for this issue, it is usually a problem with the graphics driver.
When it is a known issue, the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant should provide details of the app causing the problem.
Image source: Microsoft
If this is a driver issue, then installing the latest updates from the manufacturer support website may help fix the problem. In the case that there's not a newer update, you should consider using a beta release of the device driver. If there is a bug, perhaps it is a known issue that the company is working to fix in an upcoming update, which may already be available as a pre-release.
If you cannot find any updates, you can get around this problem by uninstalling the driver to proceed with the May 2021 Update and then reinstall it after the upgrade.
When dealing with an incompatible application, either update or remove the app before proceeding with the upgrade.
To uninstall a Windows 10 app, use these steps:
Click the Uninstall button.
Once you complete the steps, continue with the installation of the May 2021 Update. After the upgrade, you can reinstall the apps again.
To uninstall a Windows 10 driver, use these steps:
Right-click the component and select the Uninstall device option.
After you complete the steps, the Windows 10 version 21H1 should now install without issues.
The error code 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C indicates a conflict with an application, which you can fix by removing the app in question.
To uninstall a app on Windows 10, use these steps:
Select the incompatible application.
Quick tip: If the application causing problems is not obvious, you can start removing the third-party antivirus or older programs that were not designed for Windows 10.
Click the Uninstall button.
Once you complete the steps, you can continue with the version 21H1 installation.
While applying the Windows 10 version 21H1 using the upgrade process or enablement package, you may see one of these two errors when completing the installation:
These general error messages do not provide any specific details. However, you can find out the error code using the Settings app, which you can then use to research online and find the appropriate instructions to fix it.
To check the error code preventing the version 21H1 installation, use these steps:
Click the View your update history option.
Check the error code next to the failed update.
Once you complete the steps, note the error code and search online to find a fix or workaround.
On Windows 10, a black screen is a common issue that can occur during or after installing a new version. Usually, the problem is the graphics driver or an issue during the upgrade process.
If the error happened during the upgrade to the May 2021 Update, use this guide to resolve the issue.
If you cannot determine the problem, it could mean that the new version is not yet compatible with your computer. In this case, the option is to remove the update and roll it back to the previous installation.
If you previously had the November 2019 Update or an older version, use these steps to uninstall the May 2021 Update:
Under the "Go back to a previous version of Windows 10" section, click the Get started button.
Select any of the reasons available.
Click the No, thanks button.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click the Go back to earlier build button.
After you complete the steps, the best action is to wait until a new update release to try the upgrade one more time.
If you updated installing the enablement package, then to uninstall version 21H2, use these steps:
Click the View update history option.
Click the Uninstall updates option at the top of the page.
Select the Feature Update to Windows 10 21H1 item from the list.
In the case this is a known issue, Microsoft usually details the problem and workaround (if applicable) in the Windows 10 health dashboard page.
When installing a new version of Windows 10 can also cause problems with Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters. For instance, it is not uncommon to read user reports of connectivity problems or adapter breaking entirely.
Although there could be many reasons for a particular problem (such as drivers, settings, wireless signal, cable, switch, router, and Internet Service Provider (ISP), it could be a bug with the May 2021 Update.
If the issue happens after applying Windows 10 version 21H1, this is likely a driver or configuration-related problem, which you can usually fix using the network troubleshooter or resetting the networking stack.
To fix network adapter problems after upgrading to version 21H1, use these steps:
Under the "Advanced network settings" section, click the Network Troubleshoot button.
Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).
Once you complete the steps, the computer should reconnect to the network.
If you still cannot connect to the network, resetting all the network adapters may fix the problem.
To reset network adapters on Windows 10 to their default settings, use these steps:
Under the "Change your network settings" section, click the Network reset button.
Click the Reset now button.
After you complete the steps, Windows 10 uninstall and reinstall all the adapters, and it will reapply all the default settings.
In the case that you are still dealing with the same problem, there is a good chance the problem is a bug with the new feature update. For additional assistance, you can use this guide to resolve most networking problems.
While the May 2021 Update is a minor update based on version 20H2 and 2004, you can still stumble upon problems during and after the upgrade, especially if you are updating a device with an older version. However, if you spend the time to prepare, you will have a better experience.
A full backup should always be the first step to prepare for a new update. The setup process includes safety features to roll back automatically if the upgrade does not complete successfully for any reason. However, it is not guaranteed that it'll work.
Also, even though the upgrade process usually works, there is always a minimal chance of data loss and other problems, which is the reason you always want to create a full backup before making changes.
You can use any backup software, but you can always create a temporary backup using the imaging tool available on Windows 10. In addition, it is also recommended to create a backup of your files to an external drive or cloud using OneDrive.
If you are using the October 2020 Update or May 2020 Update, you can also configure System Restore to create a restore point to undo the update if something goes wrong with the installation.
To enable System Restore on Windows 10, use these steps:
Click the Configure button.
Select the Turn on system protection option.
Click the Create button.
Click the Create button.
Once you complete the steps, the feature will take a snapshot of the current setup then if the feature update is causing issues, you can use the restore point to undo the changes without affecting your files.
Programs that were not designed for Windows 10 can cause compatibility problems. You can always prevent issues by uninstalling apps that may conflict with the installation process. Usually, you want to remove legacy applications and third-party antivirus.
To uninstall apps on Windows 10, use these steps:
Select the app you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button.
After you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to uninstall other apps as necessary.
If you have a third-party antivirus or firewall, you should check your software vendor support page for specific details on how to disable or remove the solutions during the upgrade progress.
In the case that you decide to uninstall the security software, consider that the device won't be unprotected since the Microsoft Defender Antivirus will automatically enable to keep the device secure.
After the installation, you can reinstall the apps again.
A metered connection will block the Windows 10 May 2021 Update from downloading automatically. If you are trying to update using Windows Update, confirm that the network connection is not configured as metered. In the case that you have a capped internet connection, connect to another network or disable the metered connection (assuming that you have enough data left) to download the update.
To disable a metered connection on Windows 10, use these steps:
Select the active network connection.
Under the "Metered connection" section, turn off the Set as metered connection toggle switch.
After you complete the steps, Windows Update should be able to download the May 2021 Update on the device.
When you plan to upgrade to a new version of Windows 10, non-essential peripherals (USB flash drive, SD cards, external hard drives, printers, scanners, dongles, and Bluetooth devices) can cause the installation to fail.
As a result, it's always recommended to disconnect all peripherals attached to the computer. You only need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet connection.
After the installation, you can reconnect the peripherals again.
If nothing seems to work to fix the problem, it is best to stay in the older version for a bit longer, or you should consider doing a clean installation with the May 2021 Update.
A clean installation is always better than an upgrade because the device will start with a fresh copy of Windows 10, and it will even help resolve other issues.
The process to perform a clean install is not difficult. It only takes a little more time since you need to create a USB flash drive, and you need to reconfigure the system after the setup. You can use this guide to find specific steps to perform a fresh install of Windows 10.
While we are outlining a slew of solutions, most of them resolve common upgrade problems when trying to upgrade using the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant. Since the May 2021 Update is a minor update for devices already using version 20H2 or 2004, it will download and apply like a cumulative update, which means that the risk of problems will be minimal.
Usually, it is never recommended to install a new version of Windows 10 as soon as it releases since it hasn't been fully tested on every hardware and software combination. As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to wait until Microsoft releases several quality updates before proceeding with the upgrade process to minimize problems.
Did you encounter problems installing the May 2021 Update on your computer? Let us know in the comments and the steps you used to fix the issue.
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Windows 10 May 2021 Update is out, and in this guide, we'll show you the different ways to get it.
Microsoft has just unleashed the Windows 10 May 2021 Update (version 21H1), and it is slowly making its way to compatible devices. This is the refresh number eleven after the original release, and it only includes a small set of improvements and several fixes to complement the work done with the May 2020 Update (version 2004) and October 2020 Update (version 20H2).
If you have a device running the October 2020 Update or May 2020 Update, then version 21H1 is available as an optional update through the Windows Update settings. This means quick installation like a cumulative update without a complete upgrade since the device only needs an enablement package to switch versions.
On computers still on an older release of Windows 10 will also receive this new version as an optional upgrade. However, a full upgrade to version 2004 will be required before installing version 21H1. The only exception is if the device has a version nearing the end of service. If this is the case, the computer will eventually automatically upgrade to prevent interruption of security and maintenance updates.
The company plans to roll out the new version in stages, starting with computers that will have a smooth transition experience, and then once the update has been through more live testing, it will be available more broadly. Typically, compatible devices are expected to receive the option to upgrade within the first weeks of the original release. However, it will take time to reach every device since there are always issues that can occur along the way.
If you do not want to wait, it is possible to force the upgrade manually in at least three ways using the Media Creation Tool, Update Assistant, and Windows Update.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to download and install the Windows 10 May 2021 Update on your computer.
Although there are many ways to upgrade to the May 2021 Update, the recommended method is to manually trigger the installation when you see the notifications in the Windows Update settings.
To install version 21H1 using Windows Update, use these steps:
Under the Feature Update to Windows 10, version 21H1 section, click the Download and install now button.
Once you complete the steps, the enablement package will download and update the Windows 10 May 2020 Update or the October 2020 Update to version 21H1 as a regular cumulative update without reinstallation.
In the case the device has the November 2019 Update or an older release, the May 2020 Update will install as a regular upgrade, and then you will be able to apply the May 2021 Update.
If the computer is not seeing the option to update, there is a chance of compatibility with the current setup or hardware blocking the new version. If this is the case, you should not try to force the feature update to affect the experience negatively.
To upgrade to Windows 10 May 2021 Update using the Update Assistant tool, use these steps:
Click the Update now button to save the tool on the computer.
Click the Update Now button.
After you complete the steps, the tool will download the files and install version 21H1 on the device, keeping your files, settings, and apps. If you choose this method, it could take some time, depending on the speed of the internet and hardware configuration.
Since version 21H1 is based on version 2004, the Update Assistant is only recommended for computers running an older version (such as version 1909). If you try to use the tool on devices running versions 20H2 or 2004, it will perform a full installation that will take time, and you may come across upgrade problems.
You can also use the Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of the Windows 10 May 2021 Update.
Warning: The upgrade setup uses a non-destructive process, but it is still recommended to create a temporary full backup of your PC before proceeding, in case you need to rollback.
To upgrade Windows 10 to the May 2021 Update with the Media Creation Tool, use these steps:
Click the Download tool now button to save the installer on the computer.
Select the Upgrade this PC now option.
Confirm the Keep personal files and apps option is selected.
Quick tip: By default, the option is selected, but if it is not, click the Change what to keep option to choose to preserve your apps, settings, and files after the upgrade.
Click the Install button.
Once you complete the steps, the Media Creation Tool will upgrade the device to Windows 10 version 21H1 from any previous releases, preserving your apps, settings, and files.
If the new version does not apply successfully, use the Media Creation Tool to create a USB bootable media and continue with a clean installation of Windows 10.
You should only use the Media Creation Tool if the computer is running the November 2019 Update or an older release. If you have the October 2020 Update or May 2020 Update, you should use the Windows Update option, as the tool will perform a full installation, which in most cases is not necessary unless you are already having issues with the current setup.
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
The company says some 10X features are coming to desktop instead.
Microsoft has today confirmed that Windows 10X will not be launching this year, citing a decision to instead deliver certain parts of Windows 10X on other Windows products instead. Microsoft will be bringing a number of Windows 10X innovations to the full version of Windows this fall.
The blog post doesn't specifically state that Windows 10X is never coming, but it's likely that it never will. If Microsoft is bringing the best of Windows 10X over to the full version of Windows, the need for Windows 10X becomes significantly less obvious.
Microsoft's blog post details the following:
Following a year-long exploration and engaging in conversations with customers, we realized that the technology of Windows 10X could be useful in more ways and serve more customers than we originally imagined. We concluded that the 10X technology shouldn't just be confined to a subset of customers.
Instead of bringing a product called Windows 10X to market in 2021 like we originally intended, we are leveraging learnings from our journey thus far and accelerating the integration of key foundational 10X technology into other parts of Windows and products at the company. In fact, some of this is already reflected in the core of Windows in Windows Insider preview builds, for example the new app container technology we're integrating into products like Microsoft Defender Application Guard, an enhanced Voice Typing experience, and a modernized touch keyboard with optimized key sizing, sounds, colors and animations.
Our teams continue to invest in areas where the 10X technology will help meet our customer needs as well as evaluate technology experiences both in software and hardware that will be useful to our customers in the future.
Microsoft says Windows 10X features like app container technology in Microsoft Defender Application Guard, a new Voice Typing experience, and a modernized touch keyboard will be coming to Windows users this fall, and are already in testing with Insiders.
We also know that Microsoft is currently working on a major user experience (UX) rejuvenation effort for Windows internally, which is codenamed Sun Valley and is expected to include UI changes such as a centered taskbar and new Start menu UI, among many other UX changes.
Much of this new UX will be inspired by some of the UI changes that Microsoft was exploring on Windows 10X. So, although Windows 10X itself isn't launching, the best parts of the Windows 10X UX still will.
In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Windows 10X? Let us know in the comments.
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