Microsoft has revealed some changes it is bringing about in the Windows 10 Insider Preview program before it releases the next build. According to Microsoft all those who wish to continue receiving Windows 10 preview builds will be required to link their Microsoft Account (MSA) to their PC.
To ensure that everyone links their accounts, a notification will be shown reminding them to link their account if they haven’t. This changes are applicable to Windows Insider Program only and is specific to how Microsoft will be delivering the Insider Preview builds from now on until the public release.
“You’ll need to connect the MSA that you registered for the Windows Insider Program with (and accepted the “Microsoft Windows Insider Program Agreement”) in order to continue receiving new Windows 10 Insider Preview builds (both Fast and Slow rings) from Windows Update”, informed Microsoft’s Gabe Aul, who oversees the Insider program, in a blog post.
Aul reasons that the changes have been made to ensure that they can deliver the new builds more effectively to all those Windows Insiders who have registered and opted in to the program. Aul further notes that connecting the MSA will also ensure seamless access to Windows Insider-only functionality in the Windows Feedback app and Insider Hub too.
All those Windows Insiders who are running the Windows 10 Insider Preview (Home and Pro editions) and have their registered MSA connected to their PC will automatically receive the final release build of Windows 10 starting on July 29th.
“As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated. Once you have successfully installed this build and activated, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh”, Aul clarifies.
For those who are running the Enterprise edition of the Windows 10 Insider Preview, to upgrade to the final release of Windows 10 Enterprise you will need to download and activate it from Volume Licensing Service Center.
“As a reminder, the Enterprise edition of the Windows 10 Insider Preview is not eligible for the free upgrade offer and can be upgraded to the final release of Windows 10 through an active Software Assurance agreement”, Aul adds.
Microsoft isn’t going to stop its Windows Insider Program once the public release is made. Aul notes that the Windows Insider Program will continue even after we release Windows 10 on July 29th and registered and opted in users will continue to receive future flights as we begin to work on the next release immediately after Windows 10 ships.
“You’ll get to see the latest Windows fixes, features, and updates and give us feedback. So stay with us! Of course, we’ll provide you an option to leave the program and stay on the final build if you choose: but we hope that we’ll continue to provide you great reasons to remain a Windows Insider”, Aul adds.
Also, the next build which will be release to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring, will have the “Project Spartan” name officially changed to Microsoft Edge.
