Microsoft is very close to finalizing development of another Windows 10 update, as Redstone 5 will be promoted to the RS5_RELEASE branch with the upcoming builds.
This means that the preview builds that Microsoft will release in the coming months to Windows insiders will bring fewer new features, as the company wants to focus on stabilization and refining performance ahead of the public launch.
As per the company’s typical release schedule, Redstone 5 is due to be finalized in September, while the public rollout should begin in October. This means Microsoft has more than one month to complete work on Redstone 5 and get it ready for everyone.
But in the meantime, Microsoft is also preparing for rolling out Windows 10 Redstone 6 preview builds, yet this time only a limited set of insiders will receive it. The Skip Ahead ring part of the Insider program will soon begin receiving Redstone 6 preview builds, pretty much dividing the program in two different parts.
This means that while insiders in the Fast and Slow rings would continue getting Redstone 5 builds until the RTM is completed and production systems begin receiving it, systems enrolled in the Skip Ahead rings would be updated with Redstone 6 preview builds.
Enrolling in the Skip Ahead ring is a super-easy thing to do, only that it’s more important to do it as soon as possible. Given that there are only limited seats available, Microsoft will soon close the registration process, so the faster you do it, the bigger the chances to claim your spot.
Everyone needs to re-register for Skip Ahead, even if they were previously part of this ring. In other words, it doesn’t matter for how long you’ve been an insider because you still need to apply for a seat in the Skip Ahead ring just like everyone else.
To do this, simply open the Settings app on a system that’s already part of the Windows Insider program and head over to Update & Security > Windows Insider Program.
In the right pane, there’s a section called What kind of content would you like to receive?. If you’re already an insider, this setting should be set to Active development of Windows, which means that you’re enrolled in either the Fast or the Slow ring (note that former Skip Ahead insiders have been automatically transferred to the Fast ring last week).
What you need to select is the option called Skip ahead to the next Windows release, which automatically registers your computer to receive Skip Ahead builds. You should notice that the drop-down menu below in the section called What pace do you want to get new builds? is now greyed out, as you can only opt for the Fast configuration in this ring.
If you are allowed to select the Skip ahead option, then you’re good to go. No other tweak is necessary – when Skip Ahead is closed, the option should be greyed out as well, forcing to you be part of the Slow or Fast rings.
Keep in mind that at this point, there are no Redstone 6 builds available, which means that you won’t see any Windows 10 updates available for the time being. Microsoft will, however, publish a Redstone 6 build very soon, as the company has already compiled the first one internally and public testing should begin shortly.
In the meantime, Microsoft could still keep the Skip Ahead and the Fast rings in sync, delivering the same builds to all users. Insiders in the Slow ring are also expected to get their own update very soon.