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Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions
The Windows Insider Program has been in full swing for almost a year now with countless Insiders helping shape Windows 10 as you see it today. Windows 10 is an ever-evolving operating system that relies heavily on Insiders' feedback to help shape the way it will evolve for the better. Below are some frequently asked questions about the Insider Program.
The Windows 10 Insider Program offers Windows users access to Insider Preview builds of Windows 10. Preview builds are effectively beta releases with the sole aim being for Insiders to test the build for stability, bugs, compatibility and general performance prior to the build being released to the general public.
As should be expected with beta software, Insider Preview builds can cause compatibility issues with programs (including anti virus software), drivers or hardware, damage or loss of data and network connectivity issues. With this in mind it would be advisable to not use your daily PC with an Insider build as your main operating system, but consider setting up a dual boot with your existing installation of Windows 7/8/8.1, creating a virtual machine or install on a completely separate system for testing purposes. It is also recommended to back up all of your data prior to setting up a dual boot.
The Insider Program is recommended if you:
- Want to test Windows 10 while in the development stage.
- Want to give your feedback about Windows 10 and help shape the way the OS will evolve.
- Are PC literate and are comfortable with troubleshooting, backing up data, formatting hard drives and repairing or completely reinstalling your OS.
- Aren't installing Insider builds on your day-to-day PC.
To become an Insider you will need to have an activated copy of Windows 10 installed on your PC. Register as an Insider here, click on the Get started button and sign in with your Microsoft account. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration.
Once you're registered as an Insider, you can then Start receiving Insider builds.
You can opt out of the Insider Program by stopping Insider builds. Provided you upgraded your previous operating system to Windows 10 you will remain activated and will continue to run Windows 10 RTM.
WarningIf you did not upgrade to an Insider Preview build from a previously activated install of Windows 7/8/8.1 (i.e. you clean installed a Preview build with no previous OS installed) then your current Insider build will expire and you will no longer be able to use that copy of Windows 10.
To see when your copy will expire Press WIN+R, type in winver and hit enter. Once the build has expired you will need to install a previous copy of Windows and upgrade before 29th July 2016 to take advantage of the free Windows 10 upgrade offer, or alternatively install a new OEM or retail copy of Windows 10.
Insider builds are delivered through Windows Updates. If a new build is available you will be notified before downloading and installing.
Once downloaded the build will begin to install after a reboot, the installation can take some time to complete as it is effectively performing an in-place upgrade. Once the installation is complete you can remove your Windows.old folder if you do not want to roll back to your previous build.
There is no need to activate Insider builds, they are delivered pre-activated whether you upgraded from a qualifying OS or joined the Insider Program early with a previous Insider build.
- A clean installed Windows 10 Insider Preview installed before 29th July 2015
- User remains as an Insider opting in for the upgrades, Windows 10 will remain activated until the user opts out
- User opts out from the upgrade builds, Windows 10 will no longer be activated. User needs to install a qualifying valid OS and in-place upgrade or get a Windows 10 license for a clean install
- An in-place upgraded Windows 10 Insider Preview, upgraded from a qualifying valid 7 or 8.1
- User remains as an Insider opting in for the upgrades, Windows 10 will remain activated
- User opts out from the upgrade builds, Windows 10 will remain activated because the qualifying OS was valid
- An in-place upgraded Windows 10 Insider Preview, upgraded from a non-valid 7 or 8.1 upgraded before 29th July 2015
- *User remains as an Insider opting in for the upgrades, Windows 10 will remain activated until the user opts out, being in the sense of activation and license the same as a clean installed Windows 10 Insider Preview
- User opts out from the upgrade builds, Windows 10 will no longer be activated. User needs to install a qualifying valid OS and in-place upgrade or get a Windows 10 license for a clean install
(* The only option for those upgraded from a non-valid 7 or 8.1 to keep the free Windows 10.)
It is possible to clean install Preview builds provided you have an activated build already running. Follow ESD to ISO - Create Bootable ISO from Windows 10 ESD File to perform a clean install of your latest Insider Preview build.
InformationThis post will be updated with new information as and when needed. If you have any more questions regarding the Insider program do not hesitate to ask. If you have any info you think should be added feel free to post in this thread.
Huge thanks to @Kari and @Brink for their input into the FAQ.
Last edited by Boozad; 20 Aug 2015 at 06:56.