Last week I had a chance to head over to Redmond to talk with Microsoft about the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update and get a feel for just how much Microsoft counts on the Windows Insider program.

The official release of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (also known as Windows 10 Version 1607 or Windows 10 build 14393.x) is set to launch in just over a week, on August 2nd. Windows Insiders can take pride in their contributions to this first major upgrade to Windows 10, as they’ve participated to an unprecedented degree in installing, running and testing the latest builds, logging over 50,000 years worth of hours spent on “Fast Ring” or “Slow Ring” bits.

Microsoft released 28 PC and 20 Mobile builds to Insiders since the launch of Windows 10, and this was more builds that were released prior to the initial launch of Windows 10 and for the “November Update” combined. According to what Microsoft told us, Windows Insiders logged over 70 million pieces of feedback, with over 5,000 resulting changes and enhancements to the Anniversary Update, including changes to the Start Menu, Action Center and Taskbar, changes to make Cortana easier to use, and even starting over on that File Explorer icon, which was changed based on Insider feedback.

Interest in the program is at an all-time high, and in the coming days we’ll be highlighting exactly why, thanks to new features like Windows Ink, security enhancements to Windows Hello and Windows Defender, and improvements to Cortana, including bringing the personal assistant to the lock screen, coordinating notifications between devices, and adding photos to reminders for a quick refresher on the name of that favorite bottle of wine or menu item.

So whether you’re a Windows Insider with the near-final Anniversary Updates already installed, or you’ve been holding back for the official release of this next big upgrade to Windows 10, stay tuned to WinBeta for all the latest!

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