Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
       #1

    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions


    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions

    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions-windows-insider.png


    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.

     1: WHAT IS 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.


     2: HOW DO I BECOME AN INSIDER?

    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.

     3: CAN I OPT OUT OF BEING AN INSIDER?

    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.

    warning   Warning
    If 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.


     4: HOW ARE INSIDER BUILDS DELIVERED?

    Insider builds are delivered through Windows Updates. If a new build is available you will be notified before downloading and installing.

    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions-capture.jpg

    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.


     5: HOW DO I ACTIVATE MY INSIDER 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.)

     6: CAN I CLEAN INSTALL A PREVIEW BUILD?

    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.



    information   Information
    This 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.
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  2. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Well done Gav!
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  3. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #3

    Brilliant. Definitely a needed post. Thanks.
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  4. Posts : 1,983
    Windows 10 x86 14383 Insider Pro and Core 10240
       #4

    Activation:

    On a machine that has never had a Qualifying Windows OS on it (XP Home OEM only with the PC), I have installed and activated an upgrade to build 10240 twice today in 2 different Partitions.

    One as an insider, with my MSA logon, the other with a local account.

    I downloaded build 10074 Professional x86 from the windows update server:

    Code:
    http://b1.download.windowsupdate.com/d/updt/2015/04/10074.0.150424-1350.fbl_impressive_CLIENTPRO_RET_x86fre_en-gb_E10D9EFE1E5AEEE0B0E9D489480B0152BD8E653B.esd
    Addresses for other versions/editions/languages are available, but I believe to give them all here would be frowned upon. PM me.

    Then I created an iso using ESDtoISO ESD to ISO - Create Bootable ISO from Windows 10 ESD File - Windows 10 Forums

    Without burning to DVD or to a USB, I mounted the ISO as a Virtual Optical drive as Drive j: from File Explorer.
    (see Windows 10 - Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Windows 8 - Windows 10 Forums starting at 4.)

    As In 4D on that Tutorial, from the sources folder on j: I ran the setup.exe to start installing windows.

    I had a free partition available of greater than 35 GB, to install Windows on.

    I skipped the Microsoft Account selection to create a local account, and made all the usual responses, including express install.

    After setup finished, the installation was not activated. I ran all the available updates, including Windows Defender definitions. and made a few minor checks that all was working and the screen display was the proper resolution etc.

    In order to upgrade to 10240, I used the registry fix I describe here: Stuck at 10074 - did I wait too long? - Windows 10 Forums to enable Windows updates to start to download build 10240.

    After the usual upgrade process we insiders have become so used to, 10240 came to life and was activated both times I tried it today. Post install I checked for updates, and Device Manager for drivers etc.

    I had been unsuccessfully been trying to activate 10240 since 19/07/2015!
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  5. Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Can you check in Settings whether you have the option to Start or Stop Insider builds please. Also, out of curiosity, what colour is your Settings icon? Purple or blue?
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  6. Posts : 46
    64-bit 10240 10 Pro
       #6

    Very well done tutorial!
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  7. Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Kari said:
    Well done Gav!
    simrick said:
    Brilliant. Definitely a needed post. Thanks.
    Gary said:
    Very well done tutorial!
    Thanks all. :)
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  8. Posts : 1,983
    Windows 10 x86 14383 Insider Pro and Core 10240
       #8

    Boozad said:
    Can you check in Settings whether you have the option to Start or Stop Insider builds please. Also, out of curiosity, what colour is your Settings icon? Purple or blue?
    I guess this is aimed at me!
    On the Local account only, I get:
    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions-screenshot-2-.png
    With a purple Settings Icon, and in the Start Menu, also a purple tile for updates (since I pinned that to the start Menu back in 10074)
    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions-screenshot-3-.png
    If I unpin then Pin again, I lose the old cogwheel tile and get the new one:
    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions-capture.png
    Now I need to restart, will continue in the other, MSA installation:
    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions-screenshot-1-.png
    Here I am getting Insider builds, and Settings is purple, not blue.

    Now, what is the significance of blue or purple?

    I can open a 3rd installation where, I believe I have blue settings icons _ it was upgraded from 10166 before going to 10240, except I also have an Enterprise Eval Trial which was a clean install of course - and both are mustard yellow! - probably due to theme.
    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions-capture.png
    The other (3rd) install will not allow me to get insider builds, I think, due to me changing the computer name.
    Windows Insider Program: Frequently Asked Questions-screenshot-20-.png
    Last edited by Fafhrd; 20 Aug 2015 at 14:41.
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  9. Posts : 65
    Windows 10 64Bit Build 10240
       #9

    I have been running the insider program for months now on a separate standalone pc never having any system installed built for testing out of bits as you do :)
    but my system has slowed down due to poss. all he updates installs uninstalls etc. leading up too the release of w10 if I clean install W10 will I still be able to do the insider thing as i have been doing my system always showed activated sorry for stupid question but still a little confused
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  10. Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
    Thread Starter
       #10

    What build was the first build you installed?
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