Resolved Explanation of update paths and rings?

I started looking at this (just ordered a new laptop with Windows 10; due to arrive in a couple of weeks), and read (from an article before 10 was RTM) that not only were there 2 or 3 different paths, but that there was more than one ring within a given path.

Is there a succint explanation of what the various update options are, and how to enable/disable them?

 

I am not sure your line of questioning is valid anymore. For one, we are way past "before 10 was RTM" so much has changed. And since this notebook you ordered already has Windows 10, there is no upgrade path to consider.

I am also not sure what you mean by "ring" in this case. There were fast and slow "rings" for users who where testing pre-release versions of W10, but again, not pertinent here at this time.

There is the "Insider" program where you can get updates before others - in effect being a guinea pig (beta tester) for Microsoft - but I don't recommend that unless you consider yourself an expert and are very diligent at keeping backups. I am not saying your system will be crashing often, but when beta testing, it is always a possibility.