18.9.108.4.1 Ensure 'Manage preview builds' is set to 'Disabled'

Information

This policy setting manage which updates that are receive prior to the update being released.

Dev Channel: Ideal for highly technical users. Insiders in the Dev Channel will receive builds from our active development branch that is earliest in a development cycle. These builds are not matched to a specific Windows 10 release.

Beta Channel: Ideal for feature explorers who want to see upcoming Windows 10 features. Your feedback will be especially important here as it will help our engineers ensure key issues are fixed before a major release.

Release Preview Channel (default): Insiders in the Release Preview Channel will have access to the upcoming release of Windows 10 prior to it being released to the world. These builds are supported by Microsoft. The Release Preview Channel is where we recommend companies preview and validate upcoming Windows 10 releases before broad deployment within their organization.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled.

Note: Preview Build enrollment requires a telemetry level setting of 2 or higher and your domain registered on insider.windows.com. For additional information on Preview Builds, see: https://aka.ms/wipforbiz

Rationale:

It can be risky for experimental features to be allowed in an enterprise managed environment because this can introduce bugs and security holes into systems, making it easier for an attacker to gain access. It is generally preferred to only use production-ready builds.

Impact:

Preview builds are prevented from installing on the device.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Disabled:

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update\Manage updates offered from Windows Update\Manage preview builds

Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template WindowsUpdate.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 10 Release 1709 Administrative Templates (or newer).

Default Value:

Disabled. (Windows Update will not offer you any pre-release updates and you will receive such content once released to the world. Disabling this policy will cause any devices currently on a pre-release build to opt out and stay on the latest Feature Update once released.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/4167