In September 2017, Microsoft changed the names of their different update channels to be more descriptive. As part of this, the name of the Office Insider levels have changed. The Insider Fast level name is now called Insider and the Insider Slow level name is called Monthly Channel (Targeted).
What is Office Insider?
Office Insider is to get early access to new features, fixes, and security updates. As an Insider, you get previews of Microsoft latest feature updates.
What does this mean?
By using the Office Insider release, you are using preview and development versions of Microsoft software. Microsoft make it clear that this is only for IT professionals who want to experiment or test new features in a non production environment.
What impact does this have for Skype for Business?
We cannot provide Skype for Business support to the whole range of Microsoft Insider build versions (the very fastest release channel is a release each week!). Below is a table showing what we support.
Release Channel Descriptions
|
New Name |
Old Name |
Purpose |
|
Insider |
Insider Fast |
Frequent updates containing features in development |
|
Monthly Channel (Targeted) |
Insider Slow (Office 365 for home) |
Preview of Monthly Channel update |
|
Monthly Channel |
Current Channel |
Monthly updates with the latest features |
|
Semi-annual Channel (Targeted) |
First Release for Deferred Channel |
Preview of Semi-annual Channel update |
|
Semi-annual Channel |
Deferred Channel |
Accumulation of features that have shipped in prior Monthly Channel updates |
Release Channel Support
|
New Name |
Release Frequency |
Supported by Via |
|
Insider |
Weekly |
Unsupported |
|
Monthly Channel (Targeted) |
Monthly |
If Possible |
|
Monthly Channel |
Monthly |
Best Efforts |
|
Semi-annual Channel (Targeted) |
Twice a year, in March and September |
If Possible |
|
Semi-annual Channel |
Twice a year, in January and July |
Yes |
What version Office Update Channel I am using
The latest version numbers, release dates and preview features can be found here: