Windows 10: Release Preview "Ring" does exist!

Exactly. Only the TH2 v.1511 users will see and can select Release Preview ring.

The following is an hypothetical example how it will go:

At the moment there have been only two official releases, the original build 10240 and then in November the TH2 v.1511 build 10586. Insiders on Slow and Fast rings saw and got several builds between those two builds released for general public, and have got multiple new builds after the TH2, but users who have not joined the Insider program and opted in for build upgrades are at the moment using 10586.

Now an Insider can select an almost harmless way to get new updates before the next general public release by selecting Release Preview ring. He will stay in build 10586 but the part after the decimal point in version number will increase faster than for users not in Release Preview ring. He will receive updates to his 10586 faster than general public yet remaining in build 10586.

At the moment this is the latest official release, the version for general public:




Selecting the Release Preview ring, the build number (green highlight) remains the same until next general release but the subversion (yellow highlight) will increase faster than for those users not in Release Preview ring.

Let's say that the next release for the general public will be RS build 15000 (totally imaginary version name and build number, just for example's sake) and that it would be released on 1st of May.

That would mean that the Release Preview Insiders would only get their next new build on that day, and again remaining on Release Preview ring they would start getting updates to that new build faster than those opting out from any rings.

 

Nice explanation, Kari. I'll just call them "Mini Service Packs"! *chuckle

 

The bit I do not fully understand is whether the updates will be the same as would eventually be released to the release version e.g. if during that testing a serious bug is identified, would this be corrected at next update?