As usual, Microsoft accompanied the release of the Skip Ahead build with a blog post. As mentioned, no new features were discussed. However, Windows Insider “Tero Alhonen” found an interesting addition and highlighted it on Twitter. It seems Microsoft is working on adding native support for Virtual Machines to Windows 10. On build 18204, users can enable Virtual Machines through the settings path Control Panel>Programs>Turn Windows Features on or off. A dialog box will open and Virtual Machine is now included as a checkbox that can be selected or unselected.
— Tero Alhonen (@teroalhonen) July 26, 2018 As this is a Skip Ahead release, there is no clear way of assessing when Microsoft will bring the feature to end users. While this is on a Redstone 6 preview branch, it is possible native Virtual Machine support will be delayed. Certainly, all pointers suggest the feature is not fully functional. Of course, that’s the essence of the Skip Ahead branch and the Insider Program in general. Microsoft uses the program to test incomplete features and in return members get those features early.
Skip Ahead
Microsoft’s Skip Ahead branch was launched last year. The feature allows Insiders on the Fast Ring to skip ahead a branch. By jumping forward, Fast Ring members will be on the RS-PRERELEASE branch. Just this week, the company has opened the Skip Ahead preview cycle for Redstone 6. This means Insiders can test early builds of the Windows 10 version that will succeed the upcoming October 2018 Update.