Experiments and hidden features: Microsoft plans Windows Insiders shakeup
- Reference: 1644002165
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2022/02/04/windows_insider/
- Source link:
Windows Insider boss Amanda Langowski followed up the [2]"new era of the PC" push of Panos Panay with a missive aimed at the volunteers who sit at the sharp, pointy end of the Windows testing machine: the Insiders.
Boasting that more people were running preview builds of Windows 10 than Windows 11 (not entirely unexpected, considering the enthusiast nature of many Insiders), Langowski reminded fans that the Dev Channel was where engineers would try out new ideas that might never make it to production or have long lead items, while the Beta Channel was closer to what would actually turn up on a customer's desktop.
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Interestingly, she also said "there may be cases where features and experiences show up in the Beta Channel first," leaving those Insiders that must have the latest in a bit of a quandary. Dev Channel or Beta?
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Still, the good news is that for Insiders pondering a move to the Beta Channel a window will be opening up in the coming weeks. Otherwise a reinstall will be needed. After all, the two are "parallel active development branches," according to Langowski, "but previewing different things."
[6]Lost your mouse cursor? Microsoft's PowerToys 0.55 has you covered – with a massive crosshair
[7]Microsoft brings Jenny, Aria, and more interface tweaks to new Windows 11 Insider build
[8]First they came for Notepad. Now they're coming for Task Manager
[9]The inevitability of the Windows 11 UI: New Notepad enters the beta channel
Release Preview remains the place to check out what is coming to general customers.
In a nod to the researchers that turned up experimental work, such as a [10]redesigned Windows Task Manager , Langowski said: "We also recognize that some of our more technical Insiders have discovered that some features are intentionally disabled in the builds we have flighted.
"This is by design, and in those cases, we will only communicate about features that we are purposefully enabling for Insiders to try out and give feedback on."
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Langowski also showed off a new icon for the programme, intended to represent "the community of people who love and help shape the future of Windows, across all our 3 Insider Channels."
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We asked Microsoft if this meant that the Ninja Cat beloved of previous management was destined for a metaphorical trip off the nearest pier in a hessian sack of bricks, but the company has yet to respond. ®
Get our [13]Tech Resources
[1] https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2022/02/03/whats-coming-for-the-windows-insider-program-in-2022/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/26/panay_windows11_update/
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Yf2wGE22qlPjbz9SLpv0TAAAAJU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Yf2wGE22qlPjbz9SLpv0TAAAAJU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Yf2wGE22qlPjbz9SLpv0TAAAAJU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/01/powertoys_055/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/28/windows_11_insider/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/20/windows_11_build/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/06/notepad_update/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/20/windows_11_build/
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Yf2wGE22qlPjbz9SLpv0TAAAAJU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[12] https://regmedia.co.uk/2022/02/04/insider_logo.jpg
[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
We're all bozos on this bus
No matter what the call it, all Microsoft channels are released to testers.
All Microsoft users are testers.
What I want to know is
Where can I find a stable, reliable, fit for purpose, "long term servicing branch" for consumers unwilling to be your unpaid QA team? Some of us require an OS that's stable, Just Works(TM), & lets us Get Shit Done(TM).
Where can I find the version without the telemetry, shite-as-a-service subscription bollocks, advertising laden, "Wheel of Random Bugs/Features/FuckUps", crapshoot that is the current consumer version?
I can't afford to pay the BestBuy GeekSquad to roll back my computer every time MS turns it into a brick with a forced update. Since MS won't pay for the fixes, I refuse to be their QA guinnea pig.
I need an OS that's stable, reliable, & fit for purpose that lets me Get Shit Done(TM). Every update that causes something else to go FUBAR is just one more example that Microsoft is no longer fit for purpose & is defective by design.
This hurts me to say, I was a Windows FanBoy for decades, but now that I'm blind & the rose coloured glasses have come off, I can no longer ignore all the utter shite MS keeps shoveling down the pipe & expecting us to be happily paying thankful sheep for.
=-(
Not enough takers?
Suspect the problem is making "Windows Insider" sufficiently attractive for people to invest their time (for free) in.