Earlier this summer, Microsoft made a decision to split the Windows Insider build into multiple branches. This is a common practice in software development when one branch is reserved for an upcoming release and another branch will diverge and continue development for future releases. Windows 10 team did this so they can get ready for the Fall Creators update for Windows. Since most of the features that will be introduced in the Fall Creators Update were already shipped in the preview build months ahead. As the team is getting ready for the next major release after the Fall Creators Update they created a separate branch. Microsoft calls it “Skip ahead to the next Windows release“, this will be the channel Microsoft to release the greatest and latest Windows 10 Insider Preview. If you have not opted in “Skip ahead” to receive build updates you might be too late and will find yourself unable to enroll in this branch.
How To Fix Not Able to Select Skip ahead to the next Windows Release
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program select “Skip ahead to the next Windows release” If you are unable to select this, it means you have missed the boat to enroll to the next major release’s preview. While this behavior is by design, there is a way around this restriction.
Your Windows Insider Program content settings have been reverted. We did this because you selected Skip Ahead, but Skip Ahead is now closed. You’ll continue to receive updates as usual.
Open Registry as Administrator and navigate to the following path.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\UI\Selection
Make sure the UIContentType is set to “Skip” and UIRing is set to “WIF”
Next, navigate to the path below and make sure the “ContentType” is set to “Skip”
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\Applicability
Now go to Settings again, under “Update & Security” > Windows Update you should be able to see latest Windows 10 Insider Preview is now pending to be downloaded and installed.
That’s how to fix the problem of any older Windows 10 Insider Preview builds not being able to receive the latest Windows 10 build due to the “Skip Ahead” option that is now closed by Microsoft.
This Method is not Working. I tries it several times.
what’s your registry looks like? exact match as above?
This method is working perfectly — I just used it to receive the current RS5 build (17604).
Thank you.
Just did that too! It works perfectly! On 17604 now it’s amazing how perfect it works
Work like a charm !!!
Thank you 🙂
Method worked Thanks
Worked Exactly as told – Followed Steps and BAM!
17618 coming in for me after following the above.
Nice! Downloading 17618 right now as I speak.
Nice! Downloading preview release right now as I speak.
Did you get to see sets? Downloaded fine for me, but no 17618 features are active.
For 17618 it also works perfectly. No reboot after editing the Registry is necessary. THANKS!!! I’ll bookmark this page for future reference.
Follow instruction 17618 and 17628 Now downloading thanks.
Thank you so much!
17627 coming right away, thanks a lot
thanksss .. its really working
Good stuff!
Man you are a genius this method is working like a charm
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s worked perfectly!
Beautiful!! Thanks so much! I’ve been trying to get into this for months and I’ve been an Insider since before it was even an official program. It’s annoying how restricted the Skip Ahead ring is.
Doesn’t work.
which Windows 10 version are you stuck on? Seems to work for all others.
Doesn’t work for me.
I’m on build 17115.rs4_release.180302-1642
All registry entries are already the same as those you change, but I still can’t choose Skip Aheard, and in my branch I get an error message when trying to get updates:
You’re not up tp date
but refusing to download updates
Maybe there is something else going on. There is no more skip-ahead at the moment. both branches are skip-ahead right now. The latest one is 17666.
Thx a lot, it worked
Doesn’t look like this method works anymore 🙁
It worked for me just about a week ago.
It’s working. thanks a lot man
super appreciate
this help me to skip ahead to next version,, Windows 10 Insider Preview 18836.1000 (rs_prerelease)
Man, that was amazing. Worked like a charm. Thank you!
Thanks a lot
Welp mine just shows this:
Custom
Your device is set to a custom configuration.
Content: Active Developement from Windows
Branch: external
Ring: slow
But i hope that the newest build will come.
Still working Jan 2020