How to Check Out Early Versions of Windows 10
Want to peek at new versions of Windows 10? Here's how to join the Windows Insider Program.
By Lance Whitney
December 6, 2016 8:00AM EST
To shape Windows 10 with new features and functionality, Microsoft enlists the aid of people who are part of the Windows Insider Program. Through this free program, you can install early pre-release editions, or builds, of Windows 10 as Microsoft continues to update the OS. You'll be able to check out and test potentially cool new stuff. You can also help Microsoft improve Windows 10 by offering your feedback on what you think of each major change and minor tweak.
How do you get these pre-release builds of Windows 10? Read on.
First, you'll need to join the Windows Insider Program.
At this point, you'll need a Microsoft account to register. If you don't have an account, click on the link to "Create One" at the sign-in page and then follow the steps to generate one. If you already have an account or you create a new one at this phase, log in with your Microsoft username and password.
At this point, we'll assume you've already installed Windows 10 on a computer. If not, follow the next few paragraphs. Otherwise, skip to the next section.
At the "Welcome to the program, Insider" webpage, click on the button for "PC" to indicate that you want to test Windows 10 on a computer.
At the page entitled "Before you install Windows Insider Preview," scroll down to the bottom and click on the button for "Get Windows 10."
At the "Download Windows 10," page, click on the link to "Download tool now."
Save and run the file called MediaCreationTool.exe. You'll have a choice to either upgrade your current PC to Windows 10 or create installation media to install Windows 10 on a different PC. Follow the steps to install Windows 10.
Getting Started as a Windows Insider
Rev up Windows 10 on your computer. Click on the Start button > Settings > Update & security > Windows Insider Program. On the right pane in the section called Get Insider Preview builds, click on the button to "Get started."
A message pops up saying: "You will be installing pre-release software and services that might not be fully tested." Additional text offers specific advice. If you're cool with all of the conditions of being a Windows Insider, click on the Next button.
Read the "Before you confirm" notice, and click the Confirm button to proceed.
Windows prompts you to reboot your PC. Click on the Restart Now button.
After Windows reboots, log back in and return to the Windows Insider Program screen. At the section to "Choose your Insider Level," click on the drop-down menu and choose either Fast or Slow. "Fast" means you'll receive pre-release builds quicker but they may not be thoroughly tested. "Slow" means you won't get the builds as fast but they'll be more fully tested.
At this point, click on the link for Windows Updates and see if new updates await. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until the necessary pre-release builds are ready to be installed on your PC.
At the Windows Insider Program screen, click on the link to "Give us your feedback about this page."
Here you can read feedback offered by other Windows Insider Program testers as well as provide your own feedback. After you've tried out the latest pre-release build of Windows 10, you can click on the button to add new feedback if you have something to say.
Fill out the fields on the feedback form detailing your suggestion or problem and then click on the Submit button. Your suggestion may just pop up in a future version of Windows 10.
Finally, if you no longer want to be part of the Windows Insider Program, click on the button to "Stop insider preview builds" at the Get Insider Preview Build section. You can opt to stop the new builds temporarily or permanently.
For more, check out these other Windows 10 tips:
How to Control Your Battery Usage in Windows 10
How to Back Up, Restore Your Documents in Windows 10
How to Use and Tweak Your Windows 10 Lock Screen
How to Manage the Start Menu in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update
How to Try Out Windows 10 for Free for 90 Days
How to Clean Up Windows 10 With the Refresh Windows Tool
How to Juggle Multiple Windows 10 Apps With Virtual Desktops
How to Free Up Disk Space on Your Windows 10 PC
How to Launch Windows Without Entering a Password
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Lance Whitney Freelance Writer
Surviving a long and varied career in publishing, advertising, and IT, Lance Whitney now wears a few different technology hats. By day, he's a journalist, software trainer, and sometime Web developer. By night, he's asleep. These days, he writes news stories, columns, and reviews for CNET and other technology sites and publications. He's written tw... See Full Bio
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