What is Microsoft Insider?

Introduction

Microsoft runs one insider program for the Windows Operating System and another program for Office. Both insider programs give us an opportunity to try out new features and functionality before they are released.

You might be asking yourself what does Microsoft get in return for allowing curious users to check out these new features?

Firstly it should ensure that Microsoft release more robust software with fewer bugs as there are more people carrying out testing. The insider program is being used for Beta Testing.

Secondly, it allows them to receive comments and feedback from people who use those systems. Allowing them to refine any new or changed features before the final release.

In short Microsoft Insider program should help Microsoft to release more robust and user-friendly software. I will leave it up to you to decide if they succeed on this.

Is Microsoft Insider Safe?

The short answer to that question is no. The software is a pre-release version and may contain bugs that could lead to the loss of data.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use the Windows or Office insiders program as there are ways you can reduce the risk to your system. In a previous article, I have run through the process of installing Linux on a virtual machine that runs on my Windows PC. The same thing can be done with Windows allowing the insider version of Windows to be run on a virtual machine.

Do I Use Microsoft Insider?

I don’t currently use Microsoft Insider for either Windows or Office, but I’m considering it at the moment. That is why I’m writing this article. If you had read my first weekly catch-up published a couple of weeks ago you would have read about changes to Microsoft Excel. I use Excel quite regularly and would like to take a look at those changes.

If I do decide to check out Excel in the insider program I will have to install a copy of Windows on a virtual machine so I just as well check out the next planned release of Windows.

When I originally wrote this article I hadn’t been using the Microsoft insider programme. But not long after I had originally written this article Microsoft announced the release of Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows insider allowed me to test Windows 11 via Virtual Box.

Conclusion

If I do decide to join the insider program you can be sure that I will be sharing my experiences with you.

Please share any thoughts or comments in the comment section below.

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