Microsoft opens up Windows Insider Program to business

Microsoft wants Windows Insider Program for Business to give the company an enterprise view of Windows 'previews'

Microsoft has launched a new scheme intended to pull-in businesses across the world behind its Windows Insider Program.

Called Windows Insider Program for Business, the scheme was launched at Ignite Australia overnight.

Microsoft's aim is to tap insights into forthcoming Windows 10 releases from corporate users, where PCs will be domain joined and remotely managed, and many other features used that probably won't be touched by the typical member of the Windows Insider Program.

In particular, the scheme is intended to get more insight from users of Windows 10 Enterprise.

The scheme was unveiled by Bill Karagounis, director of program management, Windows Insider Program and Operating System Fundamentals at Microsoft.

The new initiative followed feedback from users, admitted Karagounis in a blog post written after the announcement.

"Among the changes that we have planned are tools to allow you to participate in the Windows Insider Program with corporate credentials and a way to recognise feedback submitted by others in your organisation.

"We're taking steps to make it easier to run preview builds and test features inside your organisation, to connect you with the robust community of IT experts like you, and to help you engage even deeper with global subject matter experts on the topics you care about.

"We'll also be continuing to listen and learn from you, seeking to create content helping you do your job better, easier and faster," wrote Karagounis.

More details will be rolled out in the coming months, added Karagounis, who urged Windows 10 Enterprise users to sign-up.

The Windows Insider Program itself already has several million enthusiasts enrolled, beta-testing early releases of Windows and feeding back information to Microsoft. However, the vast majority of those users are IT professionals running Windows 10 at home, rather than in organisations.

Although nothing prevents any organisation from running 'insider preview' builds of Windows 10 - and Microsoft has stated in the past that enterprises ought to have a number of machines running such versions, as standard - such versions of Windows aren't officially supported.

The aim is that Windows Insider Program for Business will fill that gap, with Microsoft providing more support for organisations that sign-up.