14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft rolled out a new Windows 10 Technical Preview build this month, and although no new name has been used for this release, people are still referring to it as “January Technical Preview” or “Windows 10 Consumer Preview.”
While the first designation is pretty much obvious, given the launch date, the latter is mostly being used because the new build comes with plenty of consumer-oriented features, such as Continuum and Cortana.
But the truth is that a Consumer Preview version never existed, despite all the rumors and speculation on such a version. At least, that's what Gabe Aul, head of the Windows Insider program, claims.
Microsoft was believed to be working on both a Consumer and a Developer Preview version of Windows 10 that would obviously be aimed at different user categories. And yet, Aul says that this isn't the case because Windows 10 is updated continuously, so there's no need to launch such versions.
And he does have a point. Those who want to see what's to come in Windows 10 can always download and install the Technical Preview, which is stable enough to be used by anyone.
The first Technical Preview was released in early October 2014, and since then Microsoft has released several updates. What's more, the company promised to update the preview much more often starting this month, so a new build is very likely to see daylight in February.
@vijaysoft 9926 is the latest build to Windows Insider program. "Consumer Preview" isn't really a thing - it's a continuous program.
— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) January 29, 2015