Microsoft is preparing to launch Windows 10 on the PC July 29, and with that comes some changes that will affect members of the Windows Insider program. Members will now have to have their Microsoft Account connected to their Windows 10 PC after the next preview build is released
Windows Insider head Gabriel Aul stated:
"If you don't have your Microsoft Account (MSA) connected to your PC, starting in the next build you'll start seeing notifications asking you to do so. You'll need to connect the MSA that you registered for the Windows Insider Program with (and accepted the "Microsoft Windows Insider Program Agreement") in order to continue receiving new Windows 10 Insider Preview builds (both Fast and Slow rings) from Windows Update. If you already have your MSA connected to your account on your PC, then you're all set. We're introducing new infrastructure in Windows Update to help us deliver new builds more effectively to Windows Insiders, and ensure that we're flighting builds to people who have registered and opted in to the program. Connecting your MSA also allows seamless access to Windows Insider-only functionality in the Windows Feedback app and Insider Hub too."
Aul added that this change is just for members of the Windows Insider Preview only. People who upgrade their Windows 7 or 8.1 PC to Windows 10 when it launches on July 29 will not need their Microsoft account if they are not receiving Insider Preview builds. That also goes for PCs that have Windows 10 pre-installed.
Windows Insider members will get the final release version of Windows 10 on July 29 as just another build. Aul added:
"I've gotten a lot of questions from Windows Insiders about how this will work if they clean installed from ISO. As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated. Once you have successfully installed this build and activated, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh."
Of course. the Windows Insider program will continue after the Windows 10 launch, as members will be able to get builds of upcoming patches and features for the OS before they are released to the general public. Aul did say that the Insider Hub app will no longer be pre-installed after the next preview build is released, but members can manually download it.
Source: Microsoft
