The insider program gives users an opportunity to sample prerelease versions of the Windows OS at various stages of development. Since its inception in 2014, it has enabled Microsoft to improve various builds of the OS based on feedback from technical and regular users. The platform itself keeps evolving, and today, Microsoft revealed that insider rings are changing to channels later this month.
Restructuring Windows Insider Channels
With the current Windows Insider program, you sign up for the Fast ring, Slow ring, or Release Preview ring based on how frequently you wish to access prerelease Windows 10 builds. But the new model focuses on the quality of the builds rather than the frequency at which they come out. The changes are as follows, briefly:
Dev Channel
The Fast ring changes to the Dev Channel. It will offer the latest OS builds with the newest code. Expect some instability and bugs here and there. The Dev Channel is ideal for technical testers.
Beta Channel
The Beta Channel is the new Slow ring. It offers more stable builds that are linked to a specific upcoming release.
Release Preview Channel
This channel contains OS builds at their final stage of development just before release to general availability. You can join it to download upcoming versions of Windows 10 that include advanced quality updates and a host of core features. Apart from that, Microsoft intends on harmonizing the new insider channels with channels for Microsoft Office apps. So, for each Windows Insider Channel, there’ll be an equivalent channel for prerelease Office apps. Also, the experience, in terms of stability of the product and bugs, should be similar across same-level channels. Are you excited about the new Windows Insider Channels? Let us know what you think (or ask any questions) via the comments section below.
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