Microsoft Releases Windows 10 Build 10240 to Insiders

Windows 10 build 10240—widely presumed to be the final, shipping build of Windows 10—to Windows Insiders on the Fast ring. Regardless of its true provenance, it’s fair to assume that this build represents a very complete look at what customers will get when Windows 10 goes to market on July 29.

First, a quick peek behind the curtain: a trusted source at Microsoft has told me that the software giant has not signed off on Windows 10. That said, it has also stopped building new builds and is now busy building update packages for build 10240. Which suggests that Microsoft might not even declare RTM as they have in the past—i.e tie it to a specific build—but could instead declare RTM as this build plus certain critical updates.

We’ll see. In the meantime, we have build 10240 to consider.

As you might imagine, given the recent focus on fit and finish, there’s not much to really say about this build (yet; I’ll need to install it to see what has really changed, especially around activation). Gabe Aul does mention, however, that the build watermark is no longer there.

“This build is one step closer to what customers will start to receive on July 29,” Mr. Aul noted. “Builds from here on will only be available through Windows Update … Remember that you’ll need to be logged in with your Microsoft Account in order to receive the build. Besides builds, over the next 2 weeks you’ll also see some Windows Updates and app updates in the Store, so make sure to keep checking for updates daily to make sure you’re running the latest and greatest code.”

Huh. Sounds like he just verified what my source told me earlier. 🙂

OK, I’ll download and install the build as soon as possible. (I’m recording Windows Weekly as I write this.) See you on the other side…