Windows 10: Microsoft Simplifies Windows Insider Program to Two Channels and Ends Gradual Feature...

Microsoft has announced updates to the Windows Insider program, streamlining its channels into two main options and giving Insiders more direct control over the features they access. The company says these changes respond to feedback from Insider participants, including their first in-person meet-up, where users expressed confusion about how the current channels worked.

Two Primary Windows Insider Channels Replace Four


The current Dev, Canary, and Beta channels are being replaced by two main channels: Experimental and Beta.

The Experimental channel takes the place of the former Dev and Canary channels. Microsoft explains it as early access to features still under development, with the understanding that what appears in this channel may change, be delayed, or not be released at all.

The Beta channel replaces the previous Beta Channel and previews features that Microsoft plans to ship in the coming weeks. The key change here is that gradual feature rollouts in Beta are ending. Microsoft states that when a feature is announced in a Beta update and a user installs that update, the feature will be available on their device.

Additional Options: Future Platforms and Release Preview


Microsoft is keeping some options reserved for specific groups within its two-channel Windows testing structure.

The Experimental channel offers a Future Platforms option, which is described as the earliest preview build for Windows and is not tied to any retail version of the OS. Microsoft explains that this is aimed at users who want to be early adopters of platform development. The company also notes that Insiders who want the earliest access to new features should stay on a retail-aligned build.

The Release Preview channel remains available for commercial customers and Insiders who want access to near-final production builds before they are generally released. To use Release Preview, users need to enable it via the Advanced Options in the Windows Insider Program settings. Microsoft emphasizes that the content of Release Preview has not changed.

Feature Flags for the Experimental Channel


Microsoft is adding a new Feature flags page in the Windows Insider Program settings for users on the Experimental channel. This feature allows Insiders to manually turn specific announced features on or off, instead of waiting for gradual rollouts.

Microsoft says the Feature flags page will initially include visible new features announced in Windows Insider Program blog posts, but it may not cover bug fixes or system-level changes. The company has not announced a launch date for the Feature flags page.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft Simplifies Windows Insider Program to Two Channels and Ends Gradual Feature Rollouts in Beta appeared first on gHacks.

read more...

 

Microsoft signals end of Paint program

Microsoft has confirmed that it will continue to offer its graphics program Paint.

In a recent update, it had listed Paint as a feature that would be either removed or no longer developed.

Paint, renowned for its simplicity, has been part of the Windows operating system since its launch in 1985.

Microsoft suggested it would not remain on Windows 10 by default but did say it would be available for free on the Windows Store.

BBC news Report here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40714395

 

WIP4Biz: Microsoft announces Windows Insider Program for Business

Read more: WIP4Biz: Microsoft announces Windows Insider Program for Business

 

Microsoft Announces the Windows Bounty Program

While Microsoft has been offering bug bounty incentives since at least 2012, Google has arguably been much more vocal in its bug bounty programs. The company recently increased the maximum payout in its bug bounty programs (mainly focused on Android) to a staggering $200,000, and now Microsoft is not only following suit - it's upping the game.

With the Windows Bounty Program, which Microsoft announced yesterday, the company is looking towards an increased incentive to security-hardening suggestions from tech-savvy users. This program will extend to all features of the Windows Insider Preview in addition to focus areas in Hyper-V, Mitigation bypass, Windows Defender Application Guard, and Microsoft Edge. And incentives starting at $500 and going all the way up to $250,000 are very, very respectful.





Source: Blogs.Technet @ Microsoft