Windows Insider Program: what is it? Easily explained

With the Windows Insider program, you receive new versions and updates for the Windows operating system at an early stage. In this article we explain what is behind the program and when it makes sense to participate.

What is the Windows Insider Program?

Before launching Windows 10, Microsoft released some pre-release versions for testing. The operating system has been on the market for some time and is constantly being developed. The insider program has been maintained and can be used by any Windows 10 user.

• Microsoft distributes new development statuses to the program participants as so-called insider builds. This is done at intervals of several days to weeks using the Windows update function.
• If you want to become a Windows Insider, you have to register once. To do this, you need a Microsoft account. With this account you have to be logged into Microsoft in your Windows 10. The Insider program does not support offline accounts.
• Then activate the Insider functions in the system settings under "Update and security". You also select the insider group, also called the ring, to which you want to belong. There is a fast ring in which you can receive all new updates and patches immediately, no matter how buggy they are. The slow ring delivers more stable updates with fewer errors, but the distribution distances are larger. Finally, there is the "Release Preview" group, in which you can preview the next completed version of Windows. Most of the bugs have been fixed.
• Insider builds are provided as upgrade installations. Your old installation is practically packed together and moved to a "windows.old" folder. Then the new version is installed.
• As an insider, you are asked to send extensive feedback to Microsoft. In doing so, you express positive or negative criticism of new functions, controls or performance. There is an extra feedback app for this purpose.

What does the Windows Insider program bring me?

With the Insider program, Microsoft is making new versions of Windows accessible to a wide range of users at an early stage. In the past, this was only reserved for developers.

• You get regular pre-releases and can test new functions extensively. You can take a critical look at changes in operation, stability or speed before the next official version of Windows is rolled out.
• This gives you early insight into the direction in which the journey with Windows 10 is going.
• Your feedback can influence the development of the operating system to a certain extent. Critical feedback from many insiders has already led to the planned features being withdrawn or changed comprehensively. For example, today's design of folder icons is a result of the Windows Insider program.

Are there disadvantages if I am an insider?

The Windows Insider program has a few not insignificant sticking points. Before you decide to participate, you should be aware of this.

• Depending on the ring you choose, an update can sometimes be quite buggy. In the simplest case, you have to undo the installation of a failed build. In the worst case, it may result in you having to restart Windows. That takes time and nerves.
• Microsoft needs as much information from its beta testers as possible about the currently distributed program status. This doesn't just happen via the feedback app. In an insider build, countless telemetry functions are also active, which continuously send information and data to Microsoft. This can even go as far as recording keystrokes.
• Under no circumstances should you activate the Insider program in your productive environment that you work with every day and in which Microsoft could tap your data unnoticed. Instead, use a virtual machine such as Virtualbox or VMWare Workstation Player. This runs off your normal Windows and has no access to your files.