Happy fourth anniversary, Windows Insider Program!

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Published onOctober 1, 2018

published onOctober 1, 2018

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Four years ago, Microsoft did something unprecedented in the history of Windows development. By opening the Windows Insider program to all Windows enthusiasts, Microsoft was done with developing the desktop OS in secret, and users were finally given a platform to share their feedback about Windows with the company.

The Windows Insider program is celebrating its 4th anniversary today, and it’s a good time to look back at how the program evolved over the years. Last year, Microsoft announced that the program reached the10 million members mark, while the new Windows Insider Program for Businesses hit 30K organizations milestone. We don’t hear much about the latter these days (same thing with the #Insiders4Good initiative), but the Windows Insider Program has always been mostly about new Windows 10 features that consumers should care about.

Today’s the 4th anniversary of the#WindowsInsidersProgram! Thank you everyone who’s been here since the beginning, and everyone who’s joined along the way. Your feedback has helped shape Windows into the OS it is today, and I can’t wait for you to see more of 19H1 ????pic.twitter.com/HrfYbZHthb

— Jen Gentleman ???? (@JenMsft)October 1, 2018

Last year, the opening of the Skip Ahead ring marked a new milestone in the history of the program. For the first time, Microsoft would give select Insiders access to the version of Windows 10 that is two releases away. This added a bit of complexity to the program, as did Microsoft’s decision to start shipping cumulative updates. As Microsoft explained at the time, most businesses areenrolled in the Slow ring, which is why Microsoft is now aiming for “beta quality software in the Slow ring, with alpha quality in the Fast ring.” However, that didn’t really change the low amount of new builds that Microsoft ships to Slow Ring Insiders.

One thing that didn’t change over the years is that you really need to join the Fast Ring (or the Skip Ahead ring) if you want to get access to the fun stuff. It’s pretty great to be able to play with experimental features before everyone else, though in some cases Microsoft eventually removes new features to continue working on them behind closed doors. This is what happened with Windows Sets earlier this year, though the functionality is expected to make a comeback at some point.

The Windows Insider program is certainly not perfect, and we know some of you don’t really dig the Ninja cat obsession and other private jokes, but Microsoft really deserves credit for trying to be more open with the Windows enthusiasts out there. The Windows Insider team is also very dedicated to interacting with Insiders onTwitter,Discord, orMicrosoft’s Community website, and you’ll certainly learn a lot by joining the program. Doing so is as simple as opening the Windows 10 Settings app, selecting Update & Security and then going to Windows Insider Program.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Happy fourth anniversary, Windows Insider Program!#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Happy fourth anniversary, Windows Insider Program!