How to get the Windows 10 May 2020 final release before anyone else
If you can’t wait until it’s officially available, you can use these steps to get early access to Windows 10 version 2004.
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The Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) for Windows 10 is expected to start rolling out in the coming weeks, but if you can’t wait, you can upgrade to the final version before everyone else using the Windows Insider Program.
The program allows you to follow the development process of new versions of Windows 10 from three different rings, including Fast, Slow, and Release Preview, each offering different levels of readiness.
Full review: May 2020 Update brings welcome improvements to everyday essentials
Previews available in the Fast ring include features and improvements coming to future releases, but they’re not tied to a specific version ofWindows 10. The Slow ring provides the changes expected to arrive in the next feature update, but the code could still be buggy and features may not work as intended.
The Release Preview is the ring designed to test fixes, drivers, and apps, but new versions of Windows 10 have to go through every ring in the program, which means that as soon as version 2004 is ready, it’ll be available in this ring. Usually, this happens a few days before the feature update becomes available to everyone.
In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to download the final release of the May 2020 Update.
Warning:This is a friendly reminder that modifying an installation can negatively impact your current Windows 10 setup. It’s recommended to make a temporary full backup of your PC before proceeding. Also, initially, Microsoft is rolling out the May 2020 Update automatically only to a small group of testers. If you want to get it immediately, you have to click theCheck for updatesbutton in the Windows Update settings after enrolling in the Release Preview ring. Furthermore, if you use Windows Mixed Reality, the company recommends to wait a little longer to download the update, because the experience isn’t working correctly.
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How to install the May 2020 Update using Windows Insider Program
Although the bits available through the Release Preview ring are considered final, remember that this ring of the Windows Insider Program is meant to monitor and detect possible issues before shipping the feature update to consumers. This means that there are still chances of coming across errors and unknown bugs when upgrading from this readiness level.
To enroll a device in the Windows Insider Program to get early access to the May 2020 Update, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the May 2020 Update will download and install through Windows Update automatically.
If you’re not getting it automatically, you can also force the upgrade fromSettings>Update & Security>Windows Update, and click theCheck for Updatesbutton.
Opting out of the Windows Insider Program
After the upgrade, it’s recommended removing the device from the Windows Insider Program.
To gracefully stop getting pre-releases of Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, and May 2020 Update becomes available to everyone, the device will stop receiving previews automatically, and you’ll continue to receive maintenance updates for as long as the feature update is supported.
How to install the May 2020 Update using ISO preview file
Alternatively, this time around, Microsoft is also making available an ISO preview file of the final release of Windows 10, which any participant of the Windows Insider Program can download to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation.
To install the May 2020 Update early using an ISO file, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the setup will take over and upgrade your device to Windows 10 May 2020 Update using the latest available preview build.
After the upgrade, remember to go toSettings>Update & Security>Windows Update, and click theCheck for Updatesbutton to download the latest update and bump the version number to build 19041.207.
While there are multiple ways to upgrade early to the final version of Windows 10, consider that these previews are not quite ready, and they may cause issues during and after the upgrade. If you want to minimize the chances of running into problems, it’s best to wait until you receive the notification through Windows Update after it’s officially released.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
