10.4 Join the Windows Insider Program

The Windows Insider Program is a Microsoft consumer based initiative which allows members of the program to access pre-release software and services, i.e., beta builds of the Windows operating system.

Now, before you even consider becoming a Windows Insider you should be aware that, as the builds of Windows are only in development and have not been fully tested, the build downloaded to your machine may contain numerous bugs. For this reason you should never install any development build on to a machine that you use for your normal daily work.

You should also be fairly competent in being able to re-install the operating system should any problems occur, or should your PC become unable to boot due to an update to a this pre-release software.

It is preferable, should you decide to become a Windows Insider, that you have a spare machine that can be used solely for installing and testing what effectively are beta builds of the software.

If you have a spare machine and are confident with installing and uninstalling test software then by all means apply for the Windows Insider program.

To apply for the Windows Insider Program, proceed as follows:

Click the Start button.
Click the Settings option from the Start Menu.

Fig: 10.4.1

Fig: 10.4.1 Click the Settings option

In the Settings window, click on the Update & Security option.

Fig: 10.4.2

Fig: 10.4.2 Next, click the Update& security icon

The Windows & security window will now open.
On the Windows Update screen (which should be displayed by default), click on the Advanced option link just below the Check for Updates button.

Fig: 10.4.3

Fig: 10.4.3 Look for the Advanced Options link

In the Advanced Option window look towards the bottom left of the screen and you should see a section marked Get Insider Builds. You should also see a Get Started button.

Fig: 10.4.4

Fig: 10.4.4 To get insider builds start by clicking the get started button

Click on the Get Started button.
An Insider Build notification window will now appear informing you that you will be installing pre-release software and services that might not be fully tested.

Fig: 10.4.5

Fig: 10.4.5 Read the information before pressing the Next button

To Continue, click the Next button.

Fig: 10.4.6

Fig: 10.4.6 You need to Confirm that you wish to continue

You next need to Confirm that you want to become an Insider. Do this by pressing the Confirm button.

Fig: 10.4.7

Fig: 10.4.7 Press the Restart Now button

Once you have pressed the Confirm button another window will appear asking you to Restart your PC. Press the Restart Now button to continue.
Your PC will now Restart.

Fig: 10.4.8

Fig: 10.4.8 Windows will now Restart

After the computer has restarted you should visit the Update & security Advanced options setting again. If all has gone well the you should see that the Get Inside Build legend has changed to Stop Insider Builds.

Fig: 10.4.9

Fig: 10.4.6 You should now see the Stop Insider Builds button

You have now enrolled in the Windows Insider program.
You can now either manually check for updates by going back to the Windows Updates screen and pressing the Check for Updates button or else leave Windows to automatically check for updates at its scheduled time. Any new builds will be downloaded and updated as they become available.
If at a later date you want to unroll from the insider program, simply press the Stop Insider Builds button on the Advanced options screen.