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What are rings?

Windows 10 Insider Preview Builds are released in “rings.' Each ring is defined by a different release frequency and level of stability. Rings are used to evaluate the quality of our software as it's released to progressively larger audiences. If the build passes automated testing in the lab, we will flight (release a build) to the next ring.

Fast ring

The benefit of being in the Fast ring is that you will be among the first to use and provide feedback on new and improved features. Devices in the Fast ring are typically updated on a weekly basis with a new Insider Preview build through Windows Update. Be prepared for issues that might block key activities or might require workarounds. Because we are also validating a build on a smaller set of devices before releasing, there is a chance that some features might fail in some device configurations. If significantly blocked, report the issue to us in the Feedback Hub app or the Windows Insider forums and be ready to reinstall Windows using the Media Creation Tool.

Slow ring

The benefit of being in the Slow ring is that you’ll still receive Insider Preview builds with new preview features and updates, but the builds will be more stable. Devices in the Slow ring are typically updated on a monthly basis with a new Insider Preview build through Windows Update. Builds are sent to the Slow ring after feedback has been received from Insiders on the Fast ring and analyzed by our Engineering teams. Slow ring builds include Quality Update service packages to fix key issues and also receive the latest Microsoft Security Response Center security fixes shortly after public availability. Note that, because these builds are from the Development Branch, they could have issues that might be addressed in a future flight. For more information, see Servicing comes to the Slow ring.

Release Preview ring

If you want to be on the current public release of Windows 10 but still get early access to updates, applications, and drivers without taking the risk of moving to the Development Branch, the Release Preview ring is your best option. The Release Preview ring is only visible when your Windows build version is the same as the current Production Branch. The easiest way to go between the Development Branch to the current Production Branch is to reinstall Windows using the Media Creation Tool.

Skip Ahead

This is a unique version of the Fast ring that allows Insiders to “skip ahead” to Windows 10 Insider Preview builds in the next release of Windows while we are finishing up a current release. Enrollment in Skip Ahead is offered for a limited time to a small subset of Insiders.

Switching between rings

Changing rings is a simple process. Go to Settings > Updates & Security and select Windows Insider Program. Under What kind of content would you like to receive? select Just fixes, apps and drivers to select Release Preview. Or choose Active development of Windows and select Fast or Slow under What pace do you want to get new builds?

Working with updates

After you've registered in the Windows Insider Program and installed your first Windows 10 Insider Preview build, you'll begin to receive updates to the device(s) you have enrolled. During the development process, the build number will change with each update. There are two different types of builds being delivered to your device(s):

Major builds

When a major build is released, it will include any combination of new features, updates to existing features, bug fixes, application changes, or other changes. For a major build, you will see the build number increment by 1 or more. Build numbers may or may not be consecutive, which depends on internal ring promotions. For example, 14361 > 14365.

Minor/servicing Builds

Also known as “Servicing” or “Cumulative” updates, these builds represent a smaller set of changes to a currently released Major Build. Servicing Builds often include bug fixes, minor operating system updates, or other smaller changes as needed. For example, 14361 > 14361.1002 > 14361.1003.

What to expect in each ring

While there is no set requirement for how build numbers are delivered to each ring, in general you'll find these to be true:

Fast ring: Major Build releases, very few servicing builds.

Slow ring: Major Build with minor build fixes attached.

Release Preview ring: Major Build change at a release milestone, and then a continued series of Servicing Builds until the next release milestone is reached.

Back in February, Microsoft introduced a third Ring for the Windows Insider program for PC and Phones called Release Preview. That was in addition to the already existing Fast and Slow Rings.

While some of the rings seem self-explanatory, we still see frequent requests by users as to which Ring is best for them. In this article, we'll try our best to break it down.

A word of caution about Insider rings

The important thing to remember about the Windows Insider program and Rings is that you can always go up in build numbers for example 10586.218 to 10586.242, but you cannot go back down e.g. 14332.1001 back to 10586.218 without resetting or reflashing your PC and phone, respectively.

That means you can go from Production to Fast Ring, but you cannot go back to Production without a little footwork.

If you are on Windows 10 or Mobile, and you are going into Fast Ring, it will be a small project to go back to any other build like Production or Release Preview. Just keep that in mind when reading below and before deciding.

Speed in enrolling

When you are enrolling in the Windows Insider program there is some difference in time for it to kick in:

• PC – For PCs and laptops, once you go from Production to any other Ring for the first time it could take upwards of 24 hours before you get the OS update. Once enrolled, however, you can change rings immediately.
• Phone – Phones, for some reason, are instant. As soon as you enroll, your phone goes into that ring and can get the OS update right away. The same applies for changing rings.

Types of Rings

Fast Ring

Fast Ring is ideal for those with a second PC or Windows phone who don't mind taking some risks. While you can easily use Fast Ring on your primary device, you are taking a risk of a less-than-stellar user experience. This risk is doubly true for Mobile and phone where the new bugs could be bothersome. As Fast Ring evolves for new milestones e.g. Redstone 1 they do become more stable.

There is little tolerance for complaining about bugs or issues with Fast Ring as that is what you are signing up for when you join. Microsoft knows Fast Ring is buggy, which is why it exists. Nonetheless, you are highly encouraged to report those bugs and give feedback using the Feedback Hub.

What is a branch? - Fast Ring is a different branch of the OS than what is currently shipping on new PCs and phones. Branch is a term for developers that means the OS is splintering off the main code base so Microsoft (in this case) can do things like refactoring the OS, add new features, and change core aspects of the OS.

Later, this branch merges into the main OS when an official OS update is released for everyone on Windows 10. For example, the current branch is codenamed 'Redstone 1' but will be released to everyone as the Windows 10 Anniversary Update sometime in July (rumored).

A more concrete way to see a branch is in the build numbers. The current production release is 10586.xxx or 10586.218 whereas the 'Redstone 1' branch is 14xxx.xxxx or 14332.1001. To see your OS version just type in 'winver' into the Cortana/Search box on your desktop or Settings and About on the phone.

Frequency - Updates usually arrive for Fast Ring every two weeks, although sometimes the frequency is even higher. Your phone or PC will be out of commission during the update process, and this could interrupt your workflow.

The tradeoff with the risks associated with Fast Ring is you get new features first, which is great for enthusiast users. However, sometimes those new features are only partially operational, so it can be a mixed back until more updates come through.

App Rings - Finally, there are also 'app fast rings' where certain core apps like Outlook and Groove can get different updates (build numbers) than Production or Release Preview. Since new OS features rely on the OS and the corresponding apps, this makes sense.

Slow Ring

Slow Ring is a harder to classify if you are new to the Insider program. The short version is that you are still taking a risk if you want this on your daily machine or phone, but it is a few builds behind the Fast Ring, so it's not as risky if that makes sense.

Microsoft Fast Ring Mac Address

Here are some other bits about Slow Ring:

• Slow Ring is more stable than Fast Ring
• Slow Ring has fewer updates than Fast Ring i.e. every six weeks or more
• Slow Ring is the same branch as Fast Ring
• You still get new features, but obviously not as quickly as Fast Ring

Slow Ring is still in the 'experimental' category for Windows 10 as an OS, but it is not as risky. This, however, is where it gets grey as there are still some bugs and quirks, but people's thresholds vary as to what is a buggy and what is not. Plus, your experience depends on your device, drivers, etc.

Release Preview

Release Preview is the newest and perhaps more interesting ring for those who want the latest bits of Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile, but do not want to leave the current branch.

Microsoft Fast Ring Machine

In other words, Release Preview is just an update to 10586.xxx. For instance, the version of the OS that is released for the public right now is 10586.218, but Release Preview is 10586.240 for PC and 10586.242 for Phone.

Once or twice a month Microsoft releases cumulative updates (or patches) for PCs and Mobile. These usually fall on 'Patch Tuesday'. These updates are bug fixes, security patches, improvements to the OS, general enhancements and more.

Everyone gets these updates eventually, but Release Preview users get them earlier. You will rarely get new features with this Ring, but you can be assured of its stability. If anything, your phone or PC will get better with this update as it just Microsoft optimizing the OS for everyone.

Microsoft Fast Ring Mac Address

If you are happy with Windows 10 or Windows 10 Mobile but want fixes and patches early then this is the build for you. Feel free to install this on your main PC or daily use phone because you are going to get it in a few weeks (at most) anyway!

Production Ring

Finally, there is technically a fourth ring called Production. However, you only see this option given if you are already enrolled in a Fast, Slow, or Preview Release.

Production simply means the publicly available version of Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile that is open to everyone.

You only choose this ring when you want to stop getting Insider updates.

Note, however, that if you are in the Fast or Slow ring, going back to Production does not roll back your phone to the main branch. Instead, you will need to use the Windows Device Recovery Tool (WDRT) to re-flash your phone or use the rest feature in Windows 10 for PC.

You can quickly go up the OS ladder, but getting back down is tricky.

Wrap up

Microsoft's Window Insider program is a vast and sprawling machine that is constantly growing and improving. Rings are an important part of that project to make 'Windows as a Service' (WaaS) where the OS is just constantly and perpetually updated and improved.

Which ring you choose depends on how many devices you may have, how much of a risk taker you are and how many issues you are willing to deal with for a release.

Personally speaking, I think Release Preview will give you the most stable, consistent and rewarding experience if you are okay with not getting the fun stuff in Fast or Slow Ring. If you just need your PC or phone to work then go with Release Preview.

If you have a spare Windows Phone laying around or an old tablet feel free to put the Fast or Slow ring on it. If you have few issues, consider it for your primary phone or PC. Or, if you just don't mind bugs, possible battery issues, etc. then just go for it. You could always re-flash your PC or phone to the main branch; it may take you 30-90 minutes, but it's not the end of the world if something goes wrong.

Just remember to back up everything!

Microsoft may have delayed Windows 10X and Surface Neo beyond 2020

Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10X and Surface Neo products may not be shipping in time for the holiday after all, according to a new report from ZDNet's Mary-Jo Foley. This means that other Windows 10X devices from third-party manufactures also won't be launching at the end of this year like originally planned. Microsoft's dual-screen Windows 10X effort has been put on pause.