Windows Insider Changes May Signal New Service Policy

• The Windows Insider Program (WIP) Fast Ring is now synced with the Windows 10 active development branch.
• Appearance of a feature in the Fast Ring is no longer an indicator of when the feature will be generally available in a Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) version.
• Fast Ring use can still make sense for customers who can influence the future direction on Windows with their feedback.

Changes to the Windows Insider Program (WIP) alter how customers should use the WIP. The WIP provides an opportunity to evaluate future versions of the Windows OS before they become generally available via the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC). In addition to previewing and testing an upcoming version prior to general availability, the WIP allows an organization to provide feedback about new features and suggest improvements to the Windows team.

A recent change syncs the WIP Fast Ring to the active development branch and breaking the link between when a feature appears in the Fast Ring and when it appears in a generally available version, which may signal changes to the Windows as a Service policy that makes Windows 10 generally available via the SAC twice a year. These changes will make testing internal devices and line-of-business applications against preview builds more challenging; therefore, some customers will still need a few computers on the Fast Ring despite the recent changes.