Download and Installation Time of Windows Beta Builds

[BrandonAdams]

I have extensive experience beta testing Windows and macOS for several years. One thing that has always puzzled me is the discrepancy in the time it takes to download, install, and reboot a Windows beta build versus a macOS beta build. Windows beta builds typically require 3-4 hours to complete this process, while macOS beta builds usually only take around 30-40 minutes from start to finish.

Interestingly, it seems that public Windows builds are relatively quick to download and install, whereas both public and beta macOS builds take a similar amount of time to complete.

[#2]

Internet Speed: A faster internet connection will reduce the download time of the beta build. Larger updates can take significantly longer to download on slower connections.

Build Size: Beta builds can vary in size. Typically, major updates or feature packs are larger and will take longer to download and install compared to smaller incremental updates.

System Specifications: The performance of your hardware (CPU, SSD vs. HDD, RAM) can affect installation time. Generally, SSDs provide faster installation times compared to traditional hard drives.

Previous Updates: If your system is up to date, the installation may take less time as there may be fewer files to replace. Conversely, if there are significant prior updates pending, the installation process may take longer.

Background Processes: Other tasks running on your system could slow down the installation process. It’s often recommended to minimize background applications during installation.

[#3]

Windows beta builds often involve more extensive overhauls depending on the updates, including system file changes and driver updates that require additional tasks like backing up files, which can slow things down. Plus, the update process tends to be more intricate because it checks for and manages various system configurations and settings.