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Microsoft Ending Windows Insider MVP Designations

Microsoft is planning to end its Most Valuable Professional (MVP) designation for Windows Insider Program participants. 

Windows Insider MVP designations will end on Dec. 31, 2023, a Microsoft spokesperson told The Register.The MVP honorific for Windows Insider Program testers gets bestowed on "positive Windows advocates within their communities," per Microsoft's program description. It was introduced back in 2016, with a suggestion that it would honor "MVPs focused on Windows and devices for consumers."

Microsoft now want to end this designation to "consolidate MVP-style programs across Microsoft," the spokesperson indicated. Windows Insider MVPs cut loose after December will be nominated to participate in Microsoft's broader consolidated MVP program, the spokesperson added.

At press time, there didn't appear to be any other public announcement that Microsoft was ending the Windows Insider MVP designations beyond the statement given to The Register. As noted in that account, Microsoft MVPs just get briefs from Microsoft's engineering teams, and they get a "paperweight" trophy-like object commemorating their participation, but they ultimately don't get paid by Microsoft for being Windows Insider MVPs.

A bar had been set previously for Windows Insider MVPs. They needed to be "prolific at flighting Insider Preview builds and filing feedback, a recognized speaker, content creator, technical community leader, or recognized advocate on social media and/or on Microsoft Community forums," per Microsoft's program description. They also needed to be nominated by Microsoft or by an existing MVP to be considered.

How current Windows Insider MVPs might fare, given Microsoft's future consolidation of the program, seems to be unclear at this point.

Microsoft does make changes to its MVP programs now and then. Back in 2015, it changed the categories to be more cloud platform focused, for instance. In 2018, Microsoft MVP and Redmond contributor Brien Posey had noticed an inexplicable MVP shakeup that didn't seem to be related to expertise. Posey had noted back then that Microsoft's criteria for the MVP program is "a closely guarded secret."

About the Author

Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.

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