How to Join Windows Insider and Receive Latest Windows 10 Preview Builds

If you want to have early access to future Windows releases, Windows Insider program is a channel which allows you to receive preview release of Windows 10 builds and future Windows versions. Windows Insider was launched by Microsoft in 2014 to provide an ongoing process to get feedback from Insiders to improve the features and functionality of Windows. In return, Insiders get early access to preview builds.

Windows Insiders are also the first to get the final RTM build of Windows operating system which is going to release publicly to end users, package as ISO images, burn into DVD and put on retail shelves, load onto new PC and etc.

To sign up and join Windows Insider program is easy. Here’s the tutorial to sign up for Windows Insider and set up or configure your computer to opt in to receive Windows Insider preview release builds.

1. If you haven’t sign up for Windows Insider, head to https://insider.windows.com/ to register.
   
   
   Microsoft Account (MSA) is required for Windows Insider Program. In addition, you will be required to login to Windows 10 with MSA too.
   
   
2. On Windows 10 PC, open Settings app.
3. In Windows 10 and Windows 10 November Update v.1501, go to Update & security -> Windows Update, and then hit on Advanced options link.

   

   In Windows 10 Anniversary Update v.1607 or later, go to Update & security -> Windows Insider Program.

   

4. Hit on the Get started button under “Get Insider Preview builds” or “Windows Insider Program”.
5. If you are not signing into Windows 10 with a Microsoft Account, you’re required to do so now. Hit the Sign In button, and follow the on-screen instruction to login.

   

   You can opt to sign in to Windows Insider Program only instead of using Microsoft Account to sign in to the Windows 10 device.
   

   

   In newer versions of Windows 10, you’re asked to pick an account to get started. If you haven’t added any Microsoft Account to the device or apps, you can click or tap Link an account.
   

   

   Then, choose to sign in with Work or school account (i.e. Office 365) or Microsoft Account, and hit Continue to sign in.
   

   

   You can apply the Microsoft Account used to Microsoft apps only or use it for all apps and Windows 10 devices.
6. In newer versions of Windows 10, once you sign in with a Microsoft Account already registered as Windows Insider, you can now choose a Windows Insider ring that you want to receive preview builds from when asked to pick your Insider settings, namely Slow (Recommended), Fast or Release Preview.
   

   

7. In newer versions of Windows, confirm that you understand the risks of joining Windows Insider program, and then restart the PC for the PC to officially join the Windows Insider program and able to receive Windows 10 preview builds.
   

   

   In older versions of Windows 10, you will face several warnings about joining Windows Insiders. Click or tap Next button when warned about installing pre-release software and services that might not be fully tested.

   

   Click or tap the Confirm button when warned about you may need to remove everything from your PC and reinstall Windows if you ever want to stop receiving Insider Preview builds.

   

   Hit Restart now or Restart later (if you have something else to work on) to get started with Windows Insider.

   

8. After rebooting, the PC is officially a part of Windows Insider Program. You can go back to the Settings app to select the Insider level which control how fast and how frequent you’re receiving the new preview builds. The levels that are available are:
   • Fast – The first to receive any and every new preview builds. Note that Fast ring no longer tied to any releases of Windows 10, and acts very much like Skip Ahead ring, which has been closed since late 2019.
   • Slow – Only receive preview builds with minimal risk to the devices, lesser builds and less frequent. The Slow ring now generally receive builds that are meant for upcoming release of Windows 10.
   • Release Preview – Retail builds of Windows 10 with sneak peak at ongoing development of apps, drivers and quality updates. The slowest of all rings and generally only receive builds that are stable enough to go live.
9. To change your Windows Insider’s ring, tap on current ring shown to go to “pick your Insider settings” screen.
   

   

   In older versions of Windows, you get to slide to your preferred level.
   

   

When all configuration is done, go to Windows Update and check for updates, and you should see new Windows 10 preview build been offered. Sometimes you may need to wait for a while though, for Microsoft’s server to catch up with new settings.

After getting the build you want, or if you have tired with restarting the computer for Insider Preview builds, you can always stop receiving Windows Insider Preview builds on the computer.