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Intel hints at Windows 11 RTM date as Microsoft rolls out another Insider Preview

The third Windows 11 Insider Preview has started rolling out. (Image source: Microsoft)
The third Windows 11 Insider Preview has started rolling out. (Image source: Microsoft)
Microsoft has issued a new Windows 11 Insider Preview for devices operating on the Dev channel of the Windows Insider Programme. An Intel support document has provided the first concrete evidence of when Windows 11 will RTM, too.

An Intel support document has hinted at Windows 11's release date. As the screenshot below shows, Intel lists Windows 11 as Microsoft's 'October 2021 Update (21H2)', which follows the May 2021 Update (21H1). Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows 10 devices will not receive Windows 11 until 2022, as we reported previously.

Hence, October is probably the month when Microsoft releases Windows 11 to manufacturing (RTM). While Windows 11 is still new, it is already remarkably stable, anecdotally.

Windows 11 may RTM in October 2021. (Image source: Intel)
Windows 11 may RTM in October 2021. (Image source: Intel)

Incidentally, Microsoft has rolled out another Windows 11 Insider Preview, the third in the new programme. The latest Insider Preview is Build 22000.71, and it should have already started reaching eligible devices. The Windows 11 Insider Preview remains on the Dev channel of the Windows Insider Programme, though.

Build 22000.71 makes numerous changes from build 22000.65, including updating context menus and right-click menus to use Microsoft's acrylic material standard. Taskbar previews now have rounded corners too, in keeping with Windows 11 design changes. Build 22000.71 addresses four-dozen bugs as well, such as a fix for ALT + TAB, which should not get stuck or need to be manually dismissed. You can find the full list of fixes in the latest Windows Insider Blog post.

However, the latest build does contain several known issues, including the following:

  • Explorer.exe will crash when the date and time button on the Taskbar is clicked to access new notifications with Focus Assist turned off.
  • The button to rename your PC doesn't work in this build. If needed, this can be done using sysdm.cpl.
  • Settings will crash when clicking 'Facial recognition (Windows Hello)' under Sign-in Settings if Windows Hello is already set up.
  • Reset this PC and Go back buttons in Settings do not function. Reset and rollback can be accessed from the Windows Recovery Environment.

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(Image source: Microsoft)
(Image source: Microsoft)
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 07 > Intel hints at Windows 11 RTM date as Microsoft rolls out another Insider Preview
Alex Alderson, 2021-07-20 (Update: 2021-07-20)