If you are part of the Windows Insider program, you've been experiencing some issues over the past month or so. In particular, the last build of Windows 10 beta (or, ahem, Technical Preview) is wrought with unsurmountable bugs that crash File Explorer and require multiple reboots each day. Microsoft, of course, has released a few fixes over the past couple weeks, in hopes to smooth out problems until a new build can release in early 2015.
I've had discussions over the past couple weeks with some who want to go back to an earlier build, or even just find a way to deny new builds. Unfortunately, you can't, and this is all part of the steps you took to join the Windows Insider program. To be a program participant, updates are mandatory. If you don’t want a new build or don't want to install an update that is reported to have problems, turn your computer off and leave it off. That's the only fix. Unfortunately, against better judgment, some installed Windows 10 beta on productions computers. Tsk, tsk. Those program rules are there for a reason. Microsoft even noted in the Windows Insider reveal that some builds could take steps backwards in both functionality and stability. So, it really shouldn't be too surprising.
But, there's the catch. Turning your computer off and denying updates means you might miss out on something truly exciting next year when a polished Windows 10 finally releases. According the Windows Insider chief, Gabe Aul, Windows Insider participants could be eligible for the full, RTM version of Windows 10 when its ready.
The question was posed on Twitter, and Gabe responded…
@tomzorz_ @krollTJ Yes, that is our intent.
— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) December 4, 2014
So, for those about to give up on the Windows Insider program due to some issues in the last build, maybe you should stick with it after all. The rumored release for Windows 10 is late summer or early fall of 2015. Surely, you can put up with beta software until then?
