Microsoft releases its first Windows 10 PC preview build, post RTM

Microsoft is rolling out a new Windows 10 preview build for Windows Insiders on the Fast Ring on August 18.

The new test build is just another preview along the Windows 10 software-as-a-service path. Microsoft's next expected milestone for Windows 10 is a collection of new features and fixes known as Threshold 2, which many of us have heard could be released to those running Windows 10 this October or so.

Microsoft has added a new concept in Memory Manager, called Compression Store, which is an in-memory collection of compressed pages. The idea is to reduce the amount of memory used per process, allowing Windows 10 to keep more apps in physical memory at a time in order to improve responsiveness. Microsoft also has updated the color options for Start, Action Center and Title bars in the new build.

As usual, there are some known issues with the build, including mobile hotspot not working.

Those who've been part of the Windows Insider program in the past do not need to do anything to get the new build released today. Those individuals will be automatically upgraded to the new build, or they can proactively upgrade via Windows Update.

Those who want to put the new Windows 10 Insider Preview on a PC currently running Windows 7 or 8.1 should first upgrade to Windows 10, according to today's blog post by Gabe Aul, head of Microsoft's Windows Insider program. From there, users can opt into the Insider Program and start getting Insider builds.

Microsoft is considering whether to make changes to its Insider rings structure, Aul said in today's blog post.

"Over the past few months we've been looking at feedback to see what changes we want to make going forward. We're putting plans together now, so you won't see any changes immediately, but they will come over time," he said.