Windows Insider

{{See also|Windows 10 version history|Windows 11 version history}}

Microsoft originally launched Windows Insider for enterprise testers and the "technically able" to test out new developer features and to gather feedback to improve the features built into Windows 10.{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/09/microsoft-launches-windows-insider-program-to-get-windows-betas/|title=Microsoft launches Windows Insider Program to get Windows betas.|last=Bright|first=Peter|date=1 October 2014|work=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast}} By the time of the official launch of Windows 10 for PCs, a total of 5 million volunteers were registered on both Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. They were also among the first people to receive the official update to Windows 10.{{cite news|last=Callaham|first=John|title=Windows Insider Program's 5 million members will get Windows 10 first on July 29.|url=http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-insider-program-has-5-million-members-who-will-get-windows-10-first-july-29|newspaper=Windows Central|date=2 July 2015}}

With the release of Windows 10, the Windows Insider app was merged with the Settings app. This made the ability to install Windows Insider preview builds an optional feature which could be accessed directly from within Windows 10.{{cite web|url=https://www.petri.com/install-insider-hub-app-windows-10|title=How to Install the Insider Hub App in Windows 10.|work=Petri IT Knowledgebase|date=6 July 2015|first=Russell|last=Smith}}{{cite web|url=http://mspoweruser.com/windows-10-mobile-redstone-will-get-native-windows-insider-program-integration-soon/|title=Windows 10 Mobile Redstone will get native Windows Insider program integration soon.|work=MSPowerUser|date=14 April 2016|first=Mehedi|last=Hassan}}

In May 2017, Microsoft announced that the program would extend to Windows Server 2016. The first Insider build for this operating system was released on 13 July 2017.

On June 24, 2021, Microsoft announced that the program would extend to Windows 11, with the Dev and Beta channels transitioning to the new operating system.{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Preparing for Insider Preview Builds of Windows 11 |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/06/24/preparing-for-insider-preview-builds-of-windows-11/ |access-date=2021-07-13 |website=Windows Blogs}} The first Insider build for Windows 11 was released on June 28, 2021 for the Dev Channel.{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2021 |title=Announcing the first Insider Preview for Windows 11 |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/06/28/announcing-the-first-insider-preview-for-windows-11/ |access-date=2021-07-13 |website=Windows Blogs}}

Windows Insider Preview updates are delivered to testers in different channels (previously "rings") or logical categories:{{cite news|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2014/10/21/were-rolling-out-our-first-new-build-to-the-windows-insider-program/|title=We're rolling out our first new build to the Windows Insider Program|last=Aul|first=Gabe|date=21 October 2014|newspaper=Windows Blog}}{{Cite web|title=Introducing Windows Insider Channels|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2020/06/15/introducing-windows-insider-channels|website=Windows Experience Blog|first=Amanda|last=Langowski|date=June 15, 2020|access-date=June 16, 2020}} Windows Insiders in Dev Channel (previously Fast ring) receive updates prior to Windows Insiders in Beta Channel (previously Slow ring) but might experience more bugs and other issues.{{cite news|last=Hassan|first=Mehedi|title=[WP10] Microsoft releases Slow Ring for Windows 10 for Phones Technical Preview.|url=http://wmpoweruser.com/wp10-microsoft-releases-slow-ring-windows-10-phones-technical-preview/|newspaper=Windows Mobile PowerUser|date=19 February 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|access-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222133810/http://wmpoweruser.com/wp10-microsoft-releases-slow-ring-windows-10-phones-technical-preview/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Hassan|first=Mehedi|title=Video Recorder on Windows 10 for Phones Preview introduces couple of new features.|url=http://wmpoweruser.com/video-recorder-windows-10-phones-preview-slow-ring-introduces-couple-new-features/|newspaper=Windows Mobile PowerUser|date=19 February 2015|archive-date=3 January 2016|access-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103145418/http://wmpoweruser.com/video-recorder-windows-10-phones-preview-slow-ring-introduces-couple-new-features/|url-status=dead}} Release Preview Channel (previously Release Preview ring) was introduced in February 2016.{{cite news|last=Hay|first=Richard|title=Microsoft Adds a Release Preview Ring to Windows Insider Program.|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/microsoft-adds-release-preview-ring-windows-insider-program|newspaper=Paul Thurrot's SuperSite for Windows|date=10 February 2016|access-date=10 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809172656/http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/microsoft-adds-release-preview-ring-windows-insider-program|archive-date=9 August 2017|url-status=dead}}

On November 5, 2019, Microsoft abandoned the Skip Ahead ring from the Windows Insider Program, stating "Our goal is to provide everyone in the Fast ring the freshest builds at the same time".{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/11/05/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-19018/|title=Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 19018|date=5 November 2019}}

On June 15, 2020, Microsoft introduced "channels" model to its Windows Insider Program, succeeding its "rings" model.{{R|channel}}

On March 6, 2023, Microsoft announced that the Canary Channel is now available to the public, allowing users to try out "hot off the presses" builds that include experimental and cutting-edge features.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2023/03/06/whats-coming-for-the-windows-insider-program-in-2023|title=What's coming for the Windows Insider Program in 2023|date=March 6, 2023|work=Windows Insider Blog|access-date=March 7, 2023|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306182715/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2023/03/06/whats-coming-for-the-windows-insider-program-in-2023|archive-date=March 6, 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/6/23626936/microsoft-windows-canary-channel-insider-preview-builds|title=Microsoft will now preview the future of Windows with new Canary channel|first=Tom|last=Warren|date=March 6, 2023|website=The Verge|accessdate=March 10, 2023|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306183733/https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/6/23626936/microsoft-windows-canary-channel-insider-preview-builds|archive-date=March 6, 2023}}

On July 17, 2017, reports began to come that Windows 10 Creators Update refused to install on PCs and tablets sporting Intel Atom "Clover Trail" processors.{{Cite news|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-creators-update-might-leave-intels-atom-clover-trail-cpus-behind|title=Windows 10 Creators Update might leave Intel's Atom 'Clover Trail' CPUs behind|work=Windows Central|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://mspoweruser.com/microsoft-may-strand-some-windows-10-users-on-unsupported-anniversary-update/|title=Microsoft may strand some Windows 10 users on unsupported Anniversary Update - MSPoweruser|date=2017-07-17|work=MSPoweruser|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en-US}} At first, it appeared as though this might have been a temporary block as Microsoft and hardware partners work to fix the issues preventing the operating system to run well.{{Cite web|url=https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/46840/~/intel-clover-trail-processors-are-not-currently-supported-in-windows-10|title=Intel Clover Trail processors are not currently supported in Windows 10 Creators Update|website=us.answers.acer.com|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-date=2019-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718031615/https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/46840/~/intel-clover-trail-processors-are-not-currently-supported-in-windows-10|url-status=dead}} However, Microsoft later confirmed that devices running the "Clover Trail" Intel Atom processors would not be receiving the Creators Update, as the processors are no longer supported by Intel and does not have the appropriate firmware to properly run versions of Windows 10 newer than the Anniversary Update.{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-blocks-windows-10-creators-update-on-some-pcs/|title=Microsoft cuts off Windows 10 support early for some PCs|last=Bott|first=Ed|work=ZDNet|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.groovypost.com/news/intel-atom-clover-trail-pcs-cant-upgrade-windows-10-creators-update/|title=It's Official: Intel Atom Clover Trail PCs Can't Upgrade to Windows 10 Creators Update|website=www.groovypost.com|date=21 July 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-21}}

The following processors are no longer supported and will remain on Windows 10 Anniversary Update:{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3208076/windows/windows-10-is-no-longer-supported-on-this-pc-error-clover-trail-atom.html#toc-3|title=What to do about the 'Windows 10 is no longer supported on this PC' error|work=PCWorld|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}

• Atom Z2760
• Atom Z2520
• Atom Z2560
• Atom Z2580

Because PCs with unsupported processors could not receive new features updates, Microsoft agreed to extend support for these PCs with the bug fixes and security updates for the latest compatible version of Windows 10.{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-agrees-to-extend-support-deadline-for-clover-trail-pcs/|title=Microsoft agrees to extend support deadline for Clover Trail PCs|last=Bott|first=Ed|work=ZDNet|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}

Versions of Windows 10 that were released before a microprocessor was released is also not supported and installations for those operating systems may be actively blocked. For example, Windows 10 Version 1507 LTSB will not install on Kaby Lake processors.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dell.com/support/article/ca/en/cabsdt1/sln305830/windows-10-kaby-lake-imaging?lang=en|title=Windows 10 Kaby Lake Imaging {{!}} Dell Canada|last=US|first=Dell|website=www.dell.com|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-03-21}}

Due to security concerns such as the zero day exploit, Windows 11 now requires an 8th generation or later Intel CPU or a 2nd generation AMD Ryzen or later CPU, with a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 security chip and Secure Boot enabled. Testing had been conducted on 7th generation Intel and 1st generation Ryzen CPUs, but support was ended before the final version was released.{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/06/28/update-on-windows-11-minimum-system-requirements/|title=Update on Windows 11 minimum system requirements |website=blogs.windows.com|date=28 June 2021 |language=en-US|access-date=2021-06-30}} Older CPUs and systems without TPM or Secure Boot may be able to run Windows 11, but will require changes to be made to the system registry to be able to upgrade to the operating system.{{cite web |title=Ways to install Windows 11 |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ways-to-install-windows-11-e0edbbfb-cfc5-4011-868b-2ce77ac7c70e |website=support.microsoft.com |access-date=23 October 2021}} Microsoft has raised the possibility of not providing updates to unsupported devices on Windows 11.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/is-microsoft-really-going-to-cut-off-security-updates-for-my-unsupported-windows-11-pc/|title=Is Microsoft really going to cut off security updates for your 'unsupported' Windows 11 PC?|date=September 28, 2022|last=Bott|first=Ed|publisher=Zdnet|access-date=January 4, 2023}}

Microsoft initially launched Windows 10 Technical Preview for certain third-generation (x30 series) phones from their Lumia family and subsequently released it to second-generation (x20 series) devices throughout the testing phase. Some hacked their non-Lumia phones (which were not supported at the time) to download the preview builds. Microsoft responded by blocking all unsupported models.{{cite news|last=Hay|first=Richard|title=Microsoft updates Windows Insider App on Windows Phone to stop unauthorized installs of technical preview.|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/microsoft-updates-windows-insider-app-windows-phone-stop-unauthorized-installs-technical-|newspaper=Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows|date=20 February 2015|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930061454/http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/microsoft-updates-windows-insider-app-windows-phone-stop-unauthorized-installs-technical-|archive-date=30 September 2015|url-status=dead}} To roll back the installed technical preview back to Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft launched Windows Device Recovery Tool that removes Windows 10 and recovers the latest officially released software and firmware.{{cite news|last=Rivera|first=Jaime|title=Yes, Windows 10 Preview will include a phone recovery tool.|url=http://pocketnow.com/2015/02/10/windows-10-preview-recovery-tool|newspaper=PocketNow|date=10 February 2015|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905194141/http://pocketnow.com/2015/02/10/windows-10-preview-recovery-tool|url-status=dead}}

Preview build 10080, released on May 14, 2015, was the first to support a non-Lumia device, the HTC One M8 for Windows. This was followed up by Xiaomi who, in partnership with Microsoft, released a ROM port of Windows 10 to its flagship Mi 4 handset on June 1, 2015. At that time, it was limited to certain registered users in China.{{Cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/17/microsoft-android-rom/|title = Microsoft Is Developing Software That Converts Android Phones To Windows 10|date = March 17, 2015|access-date = August 23, 2015|website = TechCrunch|last = Russell|first = Jon}}{{Cite web|url = https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/03/xiaomi-and-microsoft-to-offer-windows-10-conversion-for-android-phones/|title = Xiaomi and Microsoft to offer Windows 10 conversion for Android phones|date = March 18, 2015|access-date = August 23, 2015|website = Ars Technica|last = Bright|first = Peter}} Build 10080 and its follow-up build 10166 also added support for fourth-generation Lumia (x40 series) devices. As a result, all compatible Windows Phone 8 or later Lumia phones now support the preview.

In August 2015, Microsoft stated that while all Windows Phone devices, including those from Microsoft's new hardware partners announced the previous year, would receive the final version of Windows 10 Mobile, not all would receive preview builds through the Insider program. However, the company did not provide any information at the time on whether new devices would be added to the preview program. Microsoft instead focused on promoting new devices that come with Windows 10 Mobile, including their Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL flagships, and the low-cost Lumia 550 and Lumia 650. Since their release, these new Windows 10 devices became eligible to receive future updates in advance via the Insider program, beginning with build 10586 on December 4, 2015.

On February 19, 2016, Microsoft released the first Windows 10 Mobile "Redstone" preview, build 14267. Starting with this build, future preview versions became exclusively available for devices that were already running a non-Insider preview of the OS, except for the Mi4 ROM version.{{Cite web|url = http://mspoweruser.com/psa-windows-10-mobile-build-14267-is-only-available-to-lumia-950-xl-950-550-and-xiaomi-mi4/|title = PSA: Windows 10 Mobile Build 14267 is only available to Lumia 950 XL, 950, 650, 550 and Xiaomi Mi4|date = February 19, 2016|access-date = February 20, 2015|website = MSPoweruser|last = Hassan|first = Mehedi}} This was followed by build 14291, released for existing Windows 10 devices on March 17, 2016 in conjunction with the official RTM release of Windows 10 Mobile to third and fourth-generation Lumias. The following week, it became available to the newly upgraded older Lumias in addition to several other devices already on Windows 10 Mobile at the time.{{cite news|last1=Popa|first1=Bogdan|title=Windows 10 Mobile Redstone Build 14291 Released to Older Windows Phones|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-10-mobile-redstone-build-14291-released-to-older-windows-phones-502144.shtml|access-date=March 24, 2016|work=Softpedia|agency=SoftNews NET SRL |date=March 24, 2016}}

All supported devices subsequently received Insider preview builds as far as build 15063, the "Creators Update", released on March 20, 2017. This included the official release of build 14393, the "Anniversary Update", on August 2, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Paul|first1=Ian|title=Windows 10's big Anniversary Update will hit phones the same time as PCs|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3090149/windows/windows-10s-big-anniversary-update-will-hit-phones-the-same-time-as-pcs.html|access-date=May 5, 2017|work=PCWorld|agency=IDG|date=June 30, 2016}} However, it was announced in April 2017 that many devices, including all third-generation Lumias, would not receive the RTM version of the Creators Update and further "Redstone" development builds, following feedback from users.{{cite news|last1=Sarkar|first1=Dona|title=Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16176 for PC + Build 15204 for Mobile|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/04/14/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-16176-pc-build-15204-mobile/#wq20j7ggthMdJjBh.97|access-date=May 5, 2017|work=Windows Experience Blog|agency=Microsoft|date=April 14, 2017}} Of the devices that remain supported, nearly all, except the Lumia 640 and its XL variant, had originally come with Windows 10 Mobile instead of Windows Phone 8.1.

In recent Windows Insider flights and builds, such as:

• Beta channel builds (26120.3653 and above){{Cite web |last=Blog |first=Windows Insider |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Amanda Langowski, Brandon |date=2025-03-28 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3653 (Beta Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/03/28/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26120-3653-beta-channel/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Windows Insider Blog |language=en-US}}
• Dev channel builds (26200.5516 and above){{Cite web |last=Blog |first=Windows Insider |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Amanda Langowski, Brandon |date=2025-03-28 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5516 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/03/28/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26200-5516-dev-channel/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Windows Insider Blog |language=en-US}}
• Canary channel builds (27842, or listed as 27842.1000 in Windows Update, and above){{Cite web |last=Blog |first=Windows Insider |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Amanda Langowski, Brandon |date=2025-04-23 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27842 (Canary Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/04/23/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-27842-canary-channel/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Windows Insider Blog |language=en-US}}

Microsoft changed the crash screen, commonly referred to as the Green Screen of Death (GSOD), intending to streamline the crash screen. However, this has experienced backlash from Windows Insiders, due to the removal of the sad emoticon, providing a more personalized experience, and the QR code for quicker troubleshooting, only providing "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart.", along with what failed and the stop code.

It has also been discussed that Microsoft is intending to return the Black Screen of Death alongside the new UI, after its short-lived presence in the original release of Windows 11, version 21H2.{{Cite news |last=published |first=Andy Edser |date=2025-03-31 |title=Microsoft announces changes to the Blue Screen of Death as rumours of an ominous Black Screen of Death stalk the land |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/software/operating-systems/microsoft-announces-changes-to-the-blue-screen-of-death-as-rumours-of-an-ominous-black-screen-of-death-stalk-the-land/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}

File:GSOD-in-Windows-11-build-26200.5516.png

• Microsoft Developer Network
• Microsoft Garage

{{Reflist|25em}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Windows Components}}

{{Microsoft Windows family}}

{{Microsoft}}

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