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Microsoft rolls out new Windows 10 PC Insider preview build

Microsoft has released a new Windows 10 PC test build, 11099, to Windows Insiders on the Fast Ring. Don't expect any new noticeable features in this one, though.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

Microsoft is rolling out a new test build of Windows 10 for PCs for its Fast Ring testers: Build 11099.

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Like the most recent PC test build, this one also doesn't include any big noticeable changes or new features yet, acknowledged Windows Insider chief Gabe Aul in a January 13 blog post announcing availability of the latest bits.Instead, today's build focuses on "structural improvements to OneCore," the shared core of Windows that runs across devices.

There are a few known issues with today's new build, which Microsoft lists in the Insider Hub. There may be problems with devices using Citrix XenDesktop. Apps that depend on Adobe Flash may crash upon launch, which may affect Skype, QQ, WeChat, etc., but doesn't affect Edge or Internet Explorer. Also in this build, some defaults for particular apps, including Music & Video, may be reset.

"It will still be a few builds before any really noticeable changes show up, depending on when teams begin lighting up new features in their areas," Aul said.

Aul also reminded testers that Microsoft plans to release Windows 10 test builds more quickly to the Fast Ring this calendar year, using release criteria that "will be much closer to our criteria for flighting to our internal rings.

"More builds may mean more bugs and other issues, so those who want more stability might want to move to the Slow Ring in the new year, Aul said.

From what sources have said, Microsoft is on track to release two new major Windows 10 updates this year: Redstone 1 and 2. Redstone 1's target delivery date is June, my contacts have said, while Redstone 2 will likely hit shortly before the end of 2016.

Microsoft also released a number of minor updates to the November "Threshold 2" build of Windows 10 for PCs and IoT devices earlier this week.

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