Windows Insider Program

As I sat down to write this month’s installment of What’s New in Windows, I thought that there hadn’t been much news in July. That is until I started checking the updates to builds in the Insider Program. It really is a lot. So, let’s get started with the most important news for Windows users…

This month, there was a lot of activity for Windows Insiders, Internet Explorer was finally retired, and could Microsoft be preparing to release another version of Windows 10 this fall? Internet Explorer retired It shouldn’t have come as a shock to anyone but after more than 25 years, Internet Explorer (IE) was officially retired on…

This month, Lenovo releases new Windows devices on ARM, Windows 11 gets a ‘major’ update, and resetting your PC might not delete all your files. Lenovo announces new Windows devices built on ARM and the Pluton security architecture Lenovo announced at the Mobile World Conference (MWC) in Barcelona this month new devices running Qualcomm Snapdragon…

As part of Windows 11 Insider Preview build 22478 in the Dev Channel, Microsoft is starting to test a new way to update the servicing stack in Windows. What are Update Stack Packages? Update Stack Packages deliver changes to the Windows 11 update experience before a monthly cumulative update (CU), or yearly feature update, is…

Welcome to my third post discussing all things Windows Insider Program (WIP). My first post went over the business angle. My second described more of the history and various Channels available to ‘Insiders.’ This post will walk you through joining the Windows Insider Program on a device, and the distinct options you have in joining…

So, you want to know all there is to know about what the Windows Insider Program is, how to join it, and what all these ‘channels’ mean, right? For example, I’m sure one of your provocative questions is this: If I start on Windows 10 21H1, and join the Beta channel, will that upgrade me…

Microsoft announced September 2nd that it is releasing Windows 11 and Windows 10 (version 21H2) commercial previews. Organizations in the Windows Insider Program for Business can access the builds and get free support. The builds are available through the usual channels, like Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Azure Marketplace, and the Windows Insider…

If you’ve been waiting to test out Window 11, now might be the time! After initially making the first preview version of Windows 11 available in July for users in the Windows Insider Program, Insiders now have access to Windows 11 ISOs. Prior to the release of yesterday’s new Windows 11 build, Insider Preview build…

This month I have some details of changes coming to Windows and a new feature aimed at improving performance in Edge.