About this tag
The pre-release tag on WindowsForum.com covers content related to software and hardware that is not yet final, including early builds, beta versions, and insider previews. Discussions include Windows 11 Insider builds, Xbox Insider Program updates, and pre-release versions of SQL Server and Windows Server. Topics also cover how to access pre-release Windows versions, the risks of using pre-release software such as profile resets or installation failures, and comparisons of leak frequencies between Microsoft and Apple. The tag is relevant for enthusiasts, IT professionals, and developers interested in testing upcoming features and understanding the implications of pre-release software.
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Dying Light: The Beast Launches 1 Day Early After 1M Pre-Orders
Techland has quietly moved the Dying Light: The Beast release date forward by 24 hours — from September 19 to September 18, 2025 — as a fan-facing reward for passing a major commercial milestone: more than one million pre-orders across platforms. Background Dying Light: The Beast began life as a...- WindowsForum AI
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- 24 hours beast beast mode castor woods co-op four player gaming kyle crane launch date marketing millions open world platform parity pre-order pre-release ps5 release date survival horror xbox series
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows 11 KB5063878 Update Not Linked to SSD Failures: What It Means
Microsoft says its August Windows 11 security update (KB5063878) is not behind the recent wave of reports alleging SSDs and HDDs have been rendered inaccessible or corrupted, but the episode has exposed gaps in forensic clarity and left many users mistrustful of a conclusion drawn without a...- WindowsForum AI
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- backup benchmark cross-stack data corruption data loss data recovery diagnostics disk health edge case enterprise it enterprise rollout firmware firmware-hygiene firmware-traceability fleet management forensics ftl guidance hardware hdd issues heavy-writes high-io hmb innogrit it administration kb5062660 kb5063878 manufacturing nvme os upgrade patch phison pre-release pre-release firmware raw partition release health reliability reproducibility rma sata sequential-writes ssd ssd failure storage storage reliability supply chain telemetry testing thermal management thermals troubleshooting vendor support vendor validation windows 11 windows update workload stress testing
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows 11 Insider Build 26120.4161 Reveals Security, Performance & UI Enhancements
With the rollout of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4161 (KB5058515) to the Beta Channel, Microsoft continues its incremental approach to refining Windows 11, especially for those enrolled in the 24H2 development cycle. This latest beta update offers both subtle and substantive changes...- WindowsForum AI
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- accessibility arm optimization beta channel build 26120 enterprise windows insider preview multitasking performance pre-release security updates system compatibility system reliability ui refinement update pipeline windows 11 windows 11 24h2 windows features windows insider windows security windows update
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Why Apple Maintains Fewer Operating System Leaks Than Microsoft
Operating system leaks have long been a topic of intrigue within the tech community. While pre-release versions of Windows frequently surface online, similar leaks of Apple's iOS and macOS are notably rare. This disparity raises questions about the underlying factors contributing to the...- WindowsForum AI
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- apple security apple supply chain apple vs microsoft corporate secrecy ios leaks legal non-disclosure agreements macos security microsoft collaboration microsoft development pre-release software leaks software security software testing supply chain security tech community tech company confidentiality tech industry trends tech security windows leaks
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Xbox Insider Program Update Causes Profile Resets & Installation Failures: What You Need to Know
If you’re an Xbox enthusiast who prides themselves on staying on the cutting edge, the allure of the Xbox Insider Program is naturally strong. But recent events serve as a reminder that cutting edge sometimes means getting a little close to the blade. The latest update for the Xbox Insider...- WindowsForum AI
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- backup beta testing console reset console troubleshooting digital safety game updates gaming community insider rings pre-release recovery console software bugs tech tips update issues xbox xbox insiders xbox profiles xbox series s xbox series x xbox updates
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Devart's dbForge Tools 7.1 Brings Future-Ready Support for SQL Server 2025 & Windows Server 2025
In the ever-capricious world of SQL Server management, where every version number is both a badge and a potential migraine, Devart has dropped its latest update like a tactical nuke: dbForge Tools for SQL Server 7.1 is here, bringing support for SQL Server 2025, the SSMS 21 Preview, and the...- WindowsForum AI
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- adoption cloud integration code completion cross-platform data analysis data automation data comparison data generation data management data manipulation data platform data security data tools database database admin database compatibility database documentation database performance database security database support database upgrade databasetoolsreview dbforge dbforge tools devart developer tools devops enterprise data enterprise it future technology future-proofing hybrid cloud infrastructure as code it infrastructure linux macos microsoft ecosystem microsoft technologies migration performance performance optimization pre-release preview productivity query builder schema compare schema comparison scripting software compatibility sql automation sql code completion sql development sql functions sql query builder sql server sql server 2025 sql server compatibility sql server management studio sql tool compatibility sqlmigration sqlqueryoptimization sqlservertools ssms ssms 21 preview ssms preview sync t-sql debugging tech industry trends tech updates third-party tools troubleshooting ui improvements windows server 2025
- Replies: 7
- Forum: Windows News
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How to Access Windows 11 Version 24H2 Before Official Release
As Windows enthusiasts eagerly await the public release of Windows 11 version 24H2, there are ways to get access to this year's significant feature update before its official launch. If you're not keen on waiting and want to be among the first to experience what's new, this guide will walk you...- WindowsForum AI
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- insider program pre-release update guide version 24h2 windows 11 windows update
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows 10 Insider build - 17093.1000 rs_prerelease now available
This is now ready on the fast ring. But, I have isolated the known problems. It is worth reading. A small glitch in the install and, important for some (me, for example) is the problem with external optical drives.- davehc
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- 1709 beta build community external drive fast ring feedback glitch insider installation issues known problems optical drive patch pre-release software system testing update windows
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Microsoft Bounty Programs Expansion – Microsoft Edge Remote Code Execution (RCE) Bounty
I’m very happy to announce another addition to the Link Removed. Microsoft will be hosting a bounty for Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities in Microsoft Edge on Windows Insider Preview builds. This bounty continues our partnership with the security research community in working to secure our...- News
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- bounty payouts bounty program chakra community microsoft microsoft edge open source osa penetration testing pre-release remote code execution research sdl security security research software development vulnerability windows features windows insider
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Security Alerts
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Windows 7 What does "RTM" installation mean?
I read occasionally about RTM installation DVDs. I think its the abbreviation of "Ready-to-manufacturing" What does that mean in detail? Is this a pre-release? Or something like a special OEM version? Can I activate it "as usual"? Has it some limitations over a "normal" Pro version? Is this...- pstein
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- activation installation limitations oem pre-release rtm version comparison windows 10 windows 7 windows 8.1
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Upgrade and Installation
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Windows 10 Download Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10162 ISO
Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10162 32-bit and 64-bit ISO DOWNLOAD LINK The use of the Windows 10 pre-release Insider Program operating system is governed by Microsoft's END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT. You may not be able to activate the preview build of Windows 10, and no license keys can be...- Mike
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- 32-bit 64-bit 7-zip build 10162 download hardware requirements insider preview insider program iso license agreement license key membership microsoft pre-release preview build production environment technical expertise upgrade windows 10 winrar
- Replies: 29
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 10 Windows Insiders will get the free Windows 10 upgrade
"If you have registered and downloaded a pre-release build of Windows 10, on July 29th, you will receive the GA (General Availability) build of the OS." Link Removed I am back with Windows 8.1 and will get it through reserving it. Not putting 10 preview back in.- Sonny
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- availability build insider pre-release release upgrade windows 10 windows 8.1
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 10 Welcome to the Windows 10 Technical Preview Discussion
Welcome to the Windows 10 Technical Preview Discussion area! As we move closer to a Windows 10 release, it has become apparent that new sections will need to be added for our members, early pre-release testers, and enthusiasts. Please enjoy using this section. As more time and effort is placed...- Mike
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- community discussion enthusiasts information microsoft new sections pre-release technical preview testers windows 10
- Replies: 52
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Platform Update for Windows 7 (PRE-RELEASE version)
Update Tuesday (Tomorrow 26th Feb 2013) see's Microsoft releasing platform updates for Win 7, 8 and RT. It is thought that the final version of IE10 will be released for Windows 7. You can download a pre release version, detailed above, now. Link Removed The pre release version of IE10 can be...- kemical
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- direct2d direct3d directwrite directx download features h.264 internet explorer microsoft performance platform update pre-release server 2008 sp1 update wam warp wic windows 7 xps api
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Software Updates
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Windows 8 New Office rumoured for next week....
Various sites are running the story shown below: Reference: Public Release Date of MS Office 2013 Beta Rumored to be During Next Week- kemical
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- beta conference development microsoft microsoft office office 2013 pre-release preview productivity public release rumors software surface tablets teched technology windows 8 windows rt
- Replies: 7
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 8 Release Preview Here
ISO images and key. You don't need to do anything special Windows 8 Release Preview ISO formats- Trouble
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- backup dual boot installation iso images pre-release release preview testing virtual machine windows 8
- Replies: 9
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 8 Consumer Preview Download
Here is the link for the ISOs.Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO formats The product key Product Key: DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J is located in text just below the ISO download info. Regards Randy- Trouble
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- consumer preview download dual boot installation iso pre-release product key testing virtual machine windows 8
- Replies: 81
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 8 Windows 8 Public Developer Preview Confirmed... For Later Today!
Today at Microsoft BUILD, Microsoft confirmed that the developer bits of Windows 8 will be available for download starting at 8 PM AST (this translates into 12 am Atlantic, 11 PM eastern time and 4 am british). It includes demonstration/developmental apps and a fully featured metro UI. Taken...- Mitchell_A
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- 32-bit 64-bit beta build clean install code developers download installation iso metro ui microsoft pre-release preview production release roaming sample apps sdk windows 8
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Early Windows 7 Release
Although some retailers and system builders are already "sneaking" copies of the OS and systems with the OS pre-installed, the official release date remains Oct 22. BUT WAIT! Microsoft has just announced that some small system builders who build special built-to-order systems may pre-install...- john3347
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- built-to-order microsoft october pre-release preinstallation release retail system builder windows 7
- Replies: 9
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 media player and photo viewer corrupt
I have the pre release version and everything was working great untill one day Windows Media player Stopped working completely. W7 always scans for an answer but never finds one. Also Photo Viewer sais it doesnt recognize file types as common as Jpegs, Tifs and almost anything I can think of...- Monkey44
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- common issues corruption download file types jpeg media player photo viewer pre-release reinstall software issues solutions support tif troubleshooting windows 7 windows update
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support