Microsoft suspends Windows 10 preview builds and ISO downloads until further notice

Redmond will temporarily stop releasing builds of Windows 10 and halts distribution of ISO files download until the next build is released through the new production channels.

Windows 10 desktop and Joe Belfiore

As Windows 10 gets closer to RTM, Microsoft has just announced that is suspending the availability of pre-release builds of the operating system to Insiders. In addition, the software giant is also stopping the availability of the ISO files for Windows 10 starting tomorrow, July 14, 2015.

The company explains that it’s preparing a new set of channels to release future builds of Windows 10, and until the channels are ready. Then, Microsoft will resume the flight of new builds to Windows Insiders using the new production channels.

Additionally, on July 14th, the company will halt the delivery of ISO files to perform a clean install of the operating system, because Microsoft is trying to get ready to deliver Windows 10 via Windows Update, and now more than ever needs the help from Windows Insiders to use, stress, and validate the new distribution and upgrade process.

However, this is not the end of ISO files for Windows 10, Microsoft says that it will make ISOs available again sometime in the future, but now Insiders will have to upgrade via Windows Update.

In the next 24-hours this is what will happen:

  • Builds 10162 and 10166 will no longer be offered over Windows Update, and whatever build you’re on will show as “up to date” if you check for new builds.
  • ISOs for build 10162 will be taken down from the http://insider.windows.com site and prerelease keys will no longer activate builds.

Microsoft also says that it will soon announce the Windows 10 build 10166 successor, and users will be notified via the Windows Blog site, Insider Hub, and Twitter.

Perhaps the takeaway from today’s announcement is that it seems that Windows 10 RTM is getting very close, and we should expect Microsoft’s officials talking about it in the coming days.

Source Microsoft

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.