Testing a new IP build on those commonly available VM systems, especially Microsoft's own Hyper-V, is something that must happen in the MS Windows development labs hundreds if not thousands of times before the next new build is released to the general mass of those on the Insider Program, and that is probably why Kari can guarantee that an upgrade performed in a VM will work.
However, IMO, that is not what the Insider Program is really about - repeating the work already carried out.
I feel that it should be a test on a sample of the general population of machines, old, new, perfect and faulty, overclocked and underspecified, warts and all, and definitely never likely to be seen anywhere near the Microsoft Windows development labs, and not on a batch of behave-alike virtual machines with a small range of virtual components and devices that only exist in the VMs themselves.
Good points and insights you share with us in this post! [emoji1303]
Although I use VM to test IP's (and get the ISO) I agree with you that for real testing of an IP OS, a bare-metal system is of course the best way to test for the feedback-hub!
Yes I agree, in a VM only the virtual drivers for the hardware are tested - over and over again - but yet again I choose to do so. As I don't have a spare machine yet for bare-metal testing - will be reviving an old Mac Pro 3.1 (2008) for that purpose - I find it very convenient to test drive Windows IP's in a VM while working on my projects in macOS on the same flight!
Computer Type: PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Apple Mac Pro 5.1 (2012) OS: Win 10 Pro x64 1607 (Build 14393.953) CPU: DEDOCA @2,66Ghz Motherboard: Apple Inc. Mac-F221BEC8 ( CPU-A (00)) Memory: 24GB @1333Mhz FDIMM Graphics Card: GTX-680-FTW-4GB Mac EFI Sound Card: Apple / Boom2 Monitor(s) Displays: HP LP2480z / HP LP2475w / ProLite T2234MC Touchscreen Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1200 / 1920 x 1200 / 1920 x 1080 Keyboard: Wired USB Apple Mouse: Wired USB Apple PSU: 980W Case: The most cool Apple case ever! ;) Cooling: 5 Adaptive Cooling Fans (MacFansControl app) Hard Drives: 1 Samsung 840 EVO 500GB | Windows 10 (EFI) - Velocity DUOx2 PCIe
1 Samsung 840 EVO 1TB | macOS 10.10.5 - Velocity DUOx2 PCIe
2 Samsung 840 EVO 500GB RAID0 | Scratch disks - Velocity DUOx2 PCIe
2 WD RED 2TB - 4TB RAID0 | Data disks
2 Samsung HDD 5 Internet Speed: Fiber 500Mbit Sync Browser: Chrome / Microsoft Edge (Windows 10) Antivirus: ESET SS v10 (Win) ESET CSP v6.3 (macOS) Other Info: I like running Windows 10 on an Apple Mac Pro 5.1!
Have never made an ISO using ESD or UUP, in the W10 Insider programme.
Nor have I felt the need to use a VM.
Each Update has been installed without any of the problems faced by many members, only problem encountered was a wait of three days on one Update.
Once installed of course bugs revealed themselves, as can be seen on my attachment, but that was expected, isn't this what Insider is all about.
Computer Type: PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Self Built OS: W10 Pro + W10 Preview CPU: i7 Hard Drives: Dual swop 2.5" SSD Hard Drive Rack. Internet Speed: 385mbs Other Info: Surface Pro 4 i7. +
MSI GE 70 i7 super raid 0 (3 drives)
Computer Type: Laptop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Surface Pro 4 i7 OS: W10 Pro
I note others are having problems with Windows Mail.....mine works flawlessly.
Such a blessing to see all Mail together (4 accounts) without having to ponce about looking up each one individually.
Computer Type: PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Self Built OS: W10 Pro + W10 Preview CPU: i7 Hard Drives: Dual swop 2.5" SSD Hard Drive Rack. Internet Speed: 385mbs Other Info: Surface Pro 4 i7. +
MSI GE 70 i7 super raid 0 (3 drives)
Computer Type: Laptop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Surface Pro 4 i7 OS: W10 Pro
I note others are having problems with Windows Mail.....mine works flawlessly.
Such a blessing to see all Mail together (4 accounts) without having to ponce about looking up each one individually.
As a precaution I have only 2 E-mail accounts connected thru Mail APP but it always worked.
Computer Type: PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Self Built OS: W10 Pro + W10 Preview CPU: i7 Hard Drives: Dual swop 2.5" SSD Hard Drive Rack. Internet Speed: 385mbs Other Info: Surface Pro 4 i7. +
MSI GE 70 i7 super raid 0 (3 drives)
Computer Type: Laptop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Surface Pro 4 i7 OS: W10 Pro
By connected I mean hotmail and gmail accounts can send each others messages like security codes and account retrieval messages. All other e-mail accounts are exclusively browser based and don't store anything on the computer. Same two are same way connected on the Lumia W10 phone. Other E-mail agent is Outlook 2013 and is set same way as Mail APP.
Good points and insights you share with us in this post! [emoji1303]
Although I use VM to test IP's (and get the ISO) I agree with you that for real testing of an IP OS, a bare-metal system is of course the best way to test for the feedback-hub!
Yes I agree, in a VM only the virtual drivers for the hardware are tested - over and over again - but yet again I choose to do so. As I don't have a spare machine yet for bare-metal testing - will be reviving an old Mac Pro 3.1 (2008) for that purpose - I find it very convenient to test drive Windows IP's in a VM while working on my projects in macOS on the same flight!
Cheers
A very good way to run Insider versions with low risk to main PC is to install it on a bootable usb3 external hard drive or flash drive (32GB min) using tool like wintousb. You can set the internal drives to be offline if you wish as well.
A very good way to run Insider versions with low risk to main PC is to install it on a bootable usb3 external hard drive or flash drive (32GB min) using tool like wintousb. You can set the internal drives to be offline if you wish as well.
But can you upgrade to the next IP build in a portable Windows OS installation, and will it be able to receive updates?
Computer Type: PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Fujitsu Siemens Scaleo P AMI BIOS 1005.1001 03/02/2005 OS: Windows 10 x86 14383 Insider Pro and Core 10240 CPU: Intel socket 775 Pentium 4 540 HT 3200 Prescott Motherboard: Fujitsu Siemens ASUS P5GD1-FM/S AMI BIOS 1005.1001 Memory: 2GB DDR Graphics Card: GeForce 9500GT 512MB driver version 341.92 Sound Card: on-board Realtek High Definition Audio Monitor(s) Displays: Hewlett Packard HP vs17 Screen Resolution: 1280 x 1024 Keyboard: Logitech K120 Mouse: Logitech PSU: Antec 380W Case: Antec NSK 4000B Cooling: Big case fans Hard Drives: 2 Seagate 500 GBs, Maxtor 300GB, WD160 all rescued from old Sky and NTL STB throwouts. Internet Speed: BT 70 down 20 up Browser: Edge Antivirus: MS Defender Other Info: This is seriously old kit - dating back to early 2005. Almost all of it was thrown out as trash at some time! The keyboard and mouse, and the Graphics Card cost about £20 altogether.
It lives in a case with 8 drive bays, and runs several multibooting systems - from Windows XP to 10, and some Linux distributions without problems, and generally with good speed.
Computer Type: Laptop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Acer Travelmate 2423 OS: Windows 10 14393.2007 1607 x86 CPU: Celeron M 1.50GHz 1 core 32-bit Motherboard: Acer Phoenix BIOS 23 May 2006 Memory: 2 GB, 1.45 GB available Graphics Card: Mobile Intel® 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express Chipset Family Sound Card: Realtek AC'97 Monitor(s) Displays: Advent (Mirage driver) dfmirage.sys 2.0.105.0 Screen Resolution: 1400x900 Keyboard: Logitech K120 Mouse: Logitech M-U0026 PSU: Acer, External Case: Clamshell Cooling: Ext. laptop fan assist Hard Drives: Kingspec PATA IDE SSD 128GB Internet Speed: 80 down 18 up (BT) Browser: Chrome Canary Antivirus: Defender Other Info: Originally XP home x86 U/G to Pro, U/G Windows7 Pro, U/G Windows 10 Pro
screen hinges show fatigue cracks on the clamshell screen damaged when dropped hence ext monitor; battery dead, touchpad barely usable, and keyboard pretty knackered, hence ext kb and mouse. internal WiFi adapter failed, so use wired ethernet. int DVD also now unusable, modem disabled
By connected I mean hotmail and gmail accounts can send each others messages like security codes and account retrieval messages. All other e-mail accounts are exclusively browser based and don't store anything on the computer. Same two are same way connected on the Lumia W10 phone. Other E-mail agent is Outlook 2013 and is set same way as Mail APP.
Computer Type: PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Self Built OS: W10 Pro + W10 Preview CPU: i7 Hard Drives: Dual swop 2.5" SSD Hard Drive Rack. Internet Speed: 385mbs Other Info: Surface Pro 4 i7. +
MSI GE 70 i7 super raid 0 (3 drives)
Computer Type: Laptop System Manufacturer/Model Number: Surface Pro 4 i7 OS: W10 Pro
UPDATE:
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Source: Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14905 for PC Mobile | Windows Experience Blog
UPDATE: July 15th 2016
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Source: Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14388 for PC and Mobile | Windows Experience Blog
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Source: Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14328 for PC and Mobile | Windows Experience Blog
How to Update to Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Builds for Phones