Microsoft Hits Pause On Windows 10 Preview Builds Over GSOD Glitch
Members of the Windows Insider Preview program are able to test builds before they are released to the general public. There are three “rings” in the Windows Insider Program. “Fast Ring” users are the first to test new builds and send feedback back to Microsoft. Members of the “Slow Ring” are supposed to receive new updates and features after Microsoft has addressed the issues encountered by Fast Ring users. “Release Preview Ring” members simply have early access to updates, applications, and drivers before the latest build is available to all Windows users.
Slow Ring members have not received an update for quite some time. Many anticipated that a preview of the 19H1 build was on its way, but this hope was shot down by Dona Sarkar, head of the Windows Insider Program. She stated in a tweet that “We have a GSOD that's caused by a very common scenario around gaming anti-cheat codes. Unfortunately the fix is in the hands of our third-party partner company that we're working with them on.”
It is unclear what games are affected by the glitch, but she noted that users who encountered the glitch found their devices very difficult to use. Microsoft’s third-party partner companies must fix the glitch before a 19H1 preview can be released to the Slow Ring. Sarkar did not provide a timeline for the fix.
The glitch was discovered during Microsoft’s latest preview release. Microsoft rolled out preview builds of 19H1 and 20H1 to Fast Ring Insiders and they uncovered a slew of issues. Windows 10 version 1903 or 19H1 will be available for most Windows 10 users this spring. Microsoft is already testing previews for their autumn 2019 (19H2) and spring 2020 (20H1) releases. Let us hope that members of the Insider Program will have more luck with these future builds.