On Tue, Aug 30, 2022 at 06:56 AM, Cearbhall O'Meadhra wrote:

Does that mean that Windows 21H2 is actually Windows 11 and not 10?

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No, or at least not exactly.

And just to be clear here, for all readers, it's now incumbent on you to pay heed to what version (as in 10 versus 11) any poster is asking a question about, as answers are often very directly dependent on that.

As Joseph has noted, the original release (and so far only release) of Windows 11 started at 21H2.  There is nothing to update, yet, in Windows 11.

Windows 10 started way, way back with 1507 and has gone through many feature updates since then, including those that starting in the 2nd half of 2020 changed the numbering scheme from YYMM to YY[H1|H2], depending on which half of the year the feature update was released in.  The latest for Windows 10 is also 21H2.

And at this point, with feature update cycles having become annual, we'll probably be seeing only versions that are YYH2 going forward.  But you know Microsoft, they could do one of them, at some point, earlier in the year, so nothing is set in stone.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

Hi,

There are two flavors of 21H2: Windows 10 (November 2021 Update/build 19044) and 11 (original release/build 22000). If your computer is not compatible with Windows 11, then you should look for update assistant for Windows 10 November 2021 Update (I think we might as well have a conversation about this on WinAccess forum as I've been meaning to talk about 21H2 and upcoming 22H2 releases for some time).

As a bonus, to keep things a bit on topic: at least this thread confirms that I made the right decision when I announced changes to add-on support policy recently - Windows App Essentials will support 21H2 releases until very close to end of consumer support for them (Windows 10 21H2 = June 2023, Windows 11 21H2 = October 2023, the add-on will require newer releases after that). Even then, the add-on follows Windows as a Service schedule closely - please keep your systems up to date or close to doing so

Cheers,

Joseph

Yes, I just did not think to put the year. It seems to be updating now from the link you sent me. Hopefully this works. Thanks for all of your and Michael's and Joseph's help.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 10:02 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

It says H1

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Betsy, it can't say "H1."   Windows Versions are always 4 characters in the Windows 10 and 11 era.  The first two characters are the year of release, the second two characters are the half of that year in which that release took place.

So, you have things like 20H2, 21H1, 21H2.

If yours is still saying 21H1, then please refer back to my post telling you "the easy way" to force an update from the Windows 10 Download Page.  The one applied from there is definitely the November 2021 update, which is 21H2  (year 2021, second half of the year).
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Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

When I used the link in this email it said I still had no updated so am trying it now. That is strange the other way did not update it but hopefully this will work.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 09:38 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

How do I turn on Windows Update again?

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Betsy,

If you did not intentionally turn it off, then it's most likely an accidental breakage that will be repaired with the next Feature Update (which you will have to apply manually).

It's at least worth a try doing this, "The easy way," first.  This means going to the Windows 10 Download Page, activating the Update Now button on that page, then letting things take their course.  I believe you will be asked several questions before the meat of the "taking their course" actually begins, but after it does, you can just walk away for a while.

I'd suggest kicking this off just before retiring for the evening.  If that method of updating (and fixing Windows Update as part of it) fails, then we can go back to the ISO method.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

Okay, tab across and see if you can find a button that says, "download and install", and press that. This is done from windows update settings.

Thanks.

From Michael.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 10:02 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

It says H1

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Betsy, it can't say "H1."   Windows Versions are always 4 characters in the Windows 10 and 11 era.  The first two characters are the year of release, the second two characters are the half of that year in which that release took place.

So, you have things like 20H2, 21H1, 21H2.

If yours is still saying 21H1, then please refer back to my post telling you "the easy way" to force an update from the Windows 10 Download Page.  The one applied from there is definitely the November 2021 update, which is 21H2  (year 2021, second half of the year).
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

I just went to check on updates the way Brian gave me and it says everything is up to date yet it is still H1.

It says H1 and yet when I check for updates without trying your way yet it says things are updated. This is really strange.

On 8/29/2022 9:58 PM, Brian Vogel wrote:

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 09:52 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

Thanks, because even though it says it is updated it is still not the latest version.

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If you hit your Windows key then immediately type winver and hit enter
OR 
hit Windows Key + R, then enter winver in the run edit box and hit enter, what Windows 10 Version and Build does Windows tell you that you have?  If you wish to copy and paste you can either use Screen Review or NVDA Speech Viewer to snag that data.

The latest version of Windows 10 should be reported as Version 21H2 (OS Build 19044.1899).  If that's not what's being reported, it would be really helpful to know what is.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

--
Betsy Grenevitch 678-862-3876

Also, what you might want to check is that there isn't a button that says, "download and install", in the windows update settings as well.

Thanks.
FROM Michael.

It says H1 and yet when I check for updates without trying your way yet it says things are updated. This is really strange.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 09:52 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

Thanks, because even though it says it is updated it is still not the latest version.

-
If you hit your Windows key then immediately type winver and hit enter
OR 
hit Windows Key + R, then enter winver in the run edit box and hit enter, what Windows 10 Version and Build does Windows tell you that you have?  If you wish to copy and paste you can either use Screen Review or NVDA Speech Viewer to snag that data.

The latest version of Windows 10 should be reported as Version 21H2 (OS Build 19044.1899).  If that's not what's being reported, it would be really helpful to know what is.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

 Yes, when you go to shutdown, there should be an option to update and restart, do that and you'll be fine. Remember, always keep your pc plugged in when doing updates.

Thanks.

From Michael.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 09:52 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

Thanks, because even though it says it is updated it is still not the latest version.

-
If you hit your Windows key then immediately type winver and hit enter
OR 
hit Windows Key + R, then enter winver in the run edit box and hit enter, what Windows 10 Version and Build does Windows tell you that you have?  If you wish to copy and paste you can either use Screen Review or NVDA Speech Viewer to snag that data.

The latest version of Windows 10 should be reported as Version 21H2 (OS Build 19044.1899).  If that's not what's being reported, it would be really helpful to know what is.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

Thank you. I have written down these directions because something is not working right with what I tried.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 09:45 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

OK I tried to be brave and have updated windows.

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Great and congratulations!

If you want to check if Windows Update is active.  Go to Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update Pane and activate the Check for Updates button at some point over the next several days.  There will probably be no updates, but if that's the case a message comes back telling you that no updates are available.  This confirms that Windows Update went out to the Microsoft Servers and did check, and that it's also doing so on its own behind the scenes without you intervening.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

Thanks, because even though it says it is updated it is still not the latest version. Do I have to turn off the computer after and update to make it become effective/ Sorry for so many questions.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 09:38 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

How do I turn on Windows Update again?

-
Betsy,

If you did not intentionally turn it off, then it's most likely an accidental breakage that will be repaired with the next Feature Update (which you will have to apply manually).

It's at least worth a try doing this, "The easy way," first.  This means going to the Windows 10 Download Page, activating the Update Now button on that page, then letting things take their course.  I believe you will be asked several questions before the meat of the "taking their course" actually begins, but after it does, you can just walk away for a while.

I'd suggest kicking this off just before retiring for the evening.  If that method of updating (and fixing Windows Update as part of it) fails, then we can go back to the ISO method.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 09:45 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

OK I tried to be brave and have updated windows.

-
Great and congratulations!

If you want to check if Windows Update is active.  Go to Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update Pane and activate the Check for Updates button at some point over the next several days.  There will probably be no updates, but if that's the case a message comes back telling you that no updates are available.  This confirms that Windows Update went out to the Microsoft Servers and did check, and that it's also doing so on its own behind the scenes without you intervening.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 09:38 PM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

How do I turn on Windows Update again?

-
Betsy,

If you did not intentionally turn it off, then it's most likely an accidental breakage that will be repaired with the next Feature Update (which you will have to apply manually).

It's at least worth a try doing this, "The easy way," first.  This means going to the Windows 10 Download Page, activating the Update Now button on that page, then letting things take their course.  I believe you will be asked several questions before the meat of the "taking their course" actually begins, but after it does, you can just walk away for a while.

I'd suggest kicking this off just before retiring for the evening.  If that method of updating (and fixing Windows Update as part of it) fails, then we can go back to the ISO method.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard

Thank you so much Joseph. I just did it. I have no idea how it got turned off.

Hi,

I know exactly what Betsy is talking about: this is because you are using a Windows 10 release earlier than 21H2. As versions earlier than 21H1 are no longer supported for consumers, you MUST upgrade, more so if using 21H1 as its support ends in December.

Cheers,

Joseph

OK I tried to be brave and have updated windows. I will try the ad-on now. Thanks so much. I will still keep the directions you sent in this email in case they are needed in the future.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 08:39 PM, Joseph Lee wrote:

I know exactly what Betsy is talking about: this is because you are using a Windows 10 release earlier than 21H2.

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And the only way that should be the case is if Windows Update is broken or if someone manipulated the machine such that Windows Update is disabled.

I just had a huge pissing match about this on one of the JAWS groups, and if it's not a case of accidental breakage, then once the next Feature Update is completed, do NOT turn off Windows Update.  This situation is about the least disruptive scenario.  There is absolutely no good reason to disable Windows Update, period, end of sentence.  The "bad update" is really incredibly rare and the myth that they've ever been common needs to die a very rapid death.

Personally, in a case like this I would follow the tutorial I wrote:  Performing a Windows 10 or 11 Repair Install or Feature Update Using the Windows ISO file

It tends to have a cleaner end result and is less prone to failure when a system has "stopped updating," whatever the reason for that might be.
--

Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard