Microsoft’s Insider Team has recently been quite busy handling office affairs at Redmond, but it is now introducing the next Windows 10 Insider Build for users in the Fast Ring. This build, number 14915, comes two weeks after the previous build 14905, and is now available for both PC and Mobile users.
Microsoft introduced an optimized and updated method, Delivery Optimization, to deliver updates to users using other PCs on their local network as well as other PCs on the Internet. Starting with this Insider build, users who’ve enabled Delivery Optimization will be able to download new Insider Preview build, OS and app updates using the same. When enabled, your PC will also act as a host and may send parts of apps or updates to other PCs. You’ll see a notification about the same in the Notification Center, if you’re downloading an update from other PCs.
Delivery Optimization is turned on by default, and can be turned off by going to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Advanced options. Then you’ll need to choose how updates are delivered to your PC. If you plan to keep to enabled, then you should know that it will automatically search for nearby PCs on your local network or on the Internet and start updating apps.
Since the introduction of this feature in November, Microsoft has noticed a 30 – 50 per cent reduction in bandwidth usage required to keep multiple PCs up-to-date with the latest software or Insider builds. It has been made possible as Delivery Optimization breaks down the download into small chunks and uses what is assessed as the fastest, most reliable source to download each chunk.
And if you’re worried about your security and privacy, well don’t be, because Microsoft checks the authenticity of each file downloaded from other PCs. This method has also been developed to improve download/update experience for users will unreliable internet connections(well, they’re talking about India, right!?)
Other Improvements in PC
In addition to flipping the switch on Delivery Optimization, Redmond has squashed multiple bugs that have sneaked in the previous build. The issues with the use of power button on the Start Menu, Cortana text to speech abilities, and the Setting app have all been fixed.
The team has also made improvements to translations and fixed a compatibility issue that caused certain apps, like Google, Yahoo Mail, etc. to crash. The delay in Mail toast notifications, Edge browser and Connect flyout, all have also been updated in this build.
Known Issues
And just like a multitude of bug fixes, there are still some tough bugs that need heavy treatment. The problem with Adobe programs still continues, as the Acrobat Reader crashes when you try to launch it. You might also experience some black screen time while signing out or switching to another account, but a reboot might help.
The Insider team believes that there is the possibility of Bash not working after this update. But, you can get it to work again by going to Turn Windows features on or off > (scroll down) Windows Subsystem for Linux (beta), check this option and click ok. Bash will now work on Pc after a reboot. The Mobile build doesn’t seem to have any known issues.
