Microsoft clears up confusion about Windows 10 RTM upgrade for Insiders

Microsoft recently posted a blog post detailing how Windows Insiders will continue to get Windows 10 build after the operating systems is available to the public. The company updated the blog post quietly, and it then caused some confusion.

Thankfully, Microsoft’s Gabriel Aul is clearing up the confusion. The company has updated the blog post again, and it’s much clearer now. If you want to continue as an Insider after Windows 10 RTM gets released, here’s what’ll happen:

If you want to continue as a Windows Insider past 7/29 there is nothing you need to do. You’re already opted in and receiving builds in the Fast or Slow ring depending upon your selection. This is prerelease software and is activated with a prerelease key. Each individual build will expire after a time, but you’ll continue to receive new builds so by the time an older prerelease build expires you’ll have received a new one. Since we’re continuing the Windows Insider Program you’ll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program. We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software. As part of the program we’ll upgrade Insiders to what is for all intents and purposes the same build as what other customers will get on 7/29, but that will be just another build for Insiders, and those who stay in the program will simply get the next build after as well.

And if you don’t want to be an Insider anymore, here’s what’ll happen:

If you decide to opt-out of the program and upgrade to the 7/29 build you will be subject to exactly the same terms and conditions that govern the offer that was extended to all Genuine Windows 7 and 8.1 customers. This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems. If your system upgraded from a Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 license it will remain activated, but if not, you will be required to roll back to your previous OS version or acquire a new Windows 10 license. If you do not roll back or acquire a new license the build will eventually expire.

Obviously, this clears up all the confusion now. So if you want to continue as an Insider, you’ll get Windows 10 builds (and RTM build) just like you got previous Windows 10 builds. These Insider builds will have an expiry day, and upgrading to the latest builds will extend the expiry day. And if you don’t want to be an Insider anymore, you’ll get the exact terms and conditions like Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users.

Source: Windows Blogs