UPDATED 2/18: Although “Skip Ahead” is now closed, it’s still possible to enable the option to download Windows 10 19H1 preview builds on your device. Microsoft is currently finalizing Windows 10 version 1903, April 2019 Update, but as the company prepares for the spring release, the team is also working in the next major update coming in 2019.
To let participants of the Windows Insider Program get hands on with the new development builds, Microsoft has separated both developments into their own branch, 19H1 for the 19H1_RELEASE branch and 19H2 for the 19H2_PRERELEASE branch.
In the future, devices enrolled in the Fast ring will continue to get builds for the Windows 10 April 2019 Update, and those who choose the “Skip Ahead” option in the Fast ring will receive builds for the Windows 10 19H2 (October 2019 Update) and apps updates.
The only problem is that there is a small window to join the Skip Ahead breach, and if you haven’t change your settings, you’ll have to wait until the April 2019 Update releases to get builds for the next major update. However, you can make some Registry changes on Windows 10 to get builds even after Skip Ahead is closed.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to modify the Registry to receive Skip Ahead builds for the Windows 10 19H2 update.
How to download Windows 10 builds after Skip Ahead is closed
If your device is already part of the Windows Insider Program and you missed the window to join Skip Ahead, use these steps to modify the Registry to receive Windows 10 version 1909 previews:
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Open Start.
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Search for regedit and click the result to open the Registry.
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Navigate the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\UI\Selection
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Double-click the UIContentType string and change its value to Skip.
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Click the OK button.
UIContentType string -
Double-click the UIRing string and change its value to WIF.
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Click the OK button.
UIRing string -
Navigate the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\Applicability
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Double click the ContentType string and change its value to Skip.
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Click the OK button.
ContentType string -
Double-click the Ring string and change its value to WIF.
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Click the OK button.
Ring string -
Double-click the RingId string and change its value to 10.
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Click the OK button.
Once you’ve completed the steps, open the Windows Update settings and check for updates, and now the latest Skip Ahead build should start downloading.
You can verify the settings going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program, and you should see that your device is now enrolled in the Fast ring Skip Ahead.
If you want to stop receiving Skip Ahead builds, you can change the settings in the Windows Insider Program page, but it may require to reinstall Windows 10 and rejoin the program.
It’s worth noting that builds from the Skip Ahead are in the early stages of the development, so they may be rough, and you should expect more bugs and things not working like usual.
Update February 18, 2019: This guide has been updated to make sure the instructions are up-to-date. Thanks Luciano for submitting correction.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.