Microsoft Office team is simplifying the update model for Office Insiders on Windows Desktop.
As part of this effort, the name of the Office Insider levels, currently called Insider Fast and Insider Slow, will change to Insider and Monthly Channel (Targeted) respectively.
As an Office Insider, you don’t need to take any action. You’ll continue to receive Fast or Slow updates as you are getting today, on the same schedule. The only thing changing for Office Insiders is the name of the levels.
#OfficeInsiders on #Windows desktop—We made some changes to Insider level names, no actions needed on your part: https://t.co/0ONWl0vNGZ. pic.twitter.com/vg5yqhyDco
— MS Office Insiders (@OfficeInsider) August 9, 2017
New names for Office for Windows desktop update channels
Here’s the full list of new names for the Office 365 update channels, starting with Insider, the first publicly available update.
| New Name | Old Name | Purpose | Applies to | Release Frequency |
| Insider | Insider Fast | Frequent updates containing features in development | Office 365 for home
Office 365 for business |
Weekly |
| Monthly Channel (Targeted) | Insider Slow (Office 365 for home)
First Release for Current Channel (Office 365 for business) |
Preview of Monthly Channel update | Office 365 for home
Office 365 for business |
Monthly |
| Monthly Channel | Current Channel | Monthly updates with the latest features | Office 365 for home
Office 365 for business |
Monthly |
| Semi-annual Channel (Targeted) | First Release for Deferred Channel | Preview of Semi-annual Channel update | Office 365 for business only | Twice a year, in March and September |
| Semi-annual Channel | Deferred Channel | Accumulation of features that have shipped in prior Monthly Channel updates | Office 365 for business only | Twice a year, in January and July |
More information can be found on the source page below.
