Windows 10: Windows 10 Anniversary Update freezing: Microsoft offers temporary fix

I see both sides of that. On the one side, if Microsoft didn't do that, Windows 10 would be free to anybody that wanted it. Many would become insiders with the sole purpose of saving some money. And then give little to no feedback.
You have to draw the line somewhere. That said, the early testers should have been grandfathered in with Digital Licenses. I think some actually did have that happen? Not 110% sure. More by accident with the AU upgrade.
Then anybody signing up now needs a License. They have to start charging for Windows 10 at some point. Just my 2 cents.

How many Insiders are out there? Good question, I have no idea where you'd look for that answer? Some likely left the program when they did a reinstall and it wouldn't activate. I've seen a few posts along those lines.
I'm trying to remember if this issue actually cropped up in the insider builds before the final AU release? Non come to mind, I'd have to go do a search in the insider section. The only lockups I've had were in IE.

 

I have always had the feeling that a large number of Insiders(or at least enough to concern MS) only joined the Insiders to get a free copy of Windows to install on their newly built computers. They probably didn't realize or care that MS keeps a record of our feedbacks and participation in the program. As for being grandfathered in; My Insider build is still working and activated and I joined near the very beginning on a HDD with no previous OS.

 

There will always be abuse of programs like the Insider Preview, and those looking for a free ride.
On the plus side, anybody with an activated consumer release can become an insider with a few mouse clicks. And then see what may be coming down the pipe.
Does yours show activated with product key or Digital License? If Product key, my guess is on a clean install it won't activate. If DL, you should be all set and can clean install and activate. any time you want

 

It shows Digital License.

 

You should be all set then. If you ever have to reinstall/clean install, activation shouldn't be an issue. The Digital License is permanently tied to that PC.

 

It probably did, but when you announce a date, you announce a date and perhaps easier to fix with a few million examples of a problem than a few thousand. It's hard to know what Microsoft means by a 'small percentage or small number' 3 million of 350 million is only 0.857%.

I've been shocked and frustrated by the amount of bugs in Windows 10 given that they have such a program, truth is we are all beta testers of a kind ! Many of these problems are increased by forced updates too

 

Source: New MS Tool to repair problems with Anniversary Update available

WARNING: Unauthorized, mislabeled Microsoft support tool leaks; could cause more trouble than it cures | ZDNet

 

Brink what rectangle box is he referring to?

 

Part of what looks like the outer frame of Command Prompt, momentarily appears on desktop at startup on my SP4 Pro.

 

Hmm, would it be windows defender popping up? I don't think its totally hiding when doing background activity. I thought it could be another app doing this, but since the blinking also happens at login screen I suspect windows defender. I have seen MSE frame stuck on windows 7 sp1 desktop but no blinking.

 

After reading all this, I'm glad I don't even allow Windows to update. My computer runs just fine as a result.

 

You should be just fine with 1511

the 1607 i had many problems with it

this is just my recommendation

good Luck