Microsoft does announces its complete overhaul Windows Insider Program it is designed to facilitate the development and testing of new features for participants to experience and provide feedback. The changes address the most common complaints from users about confusing different test channels and frustrating presentations.
First, the company is simplifying the channels you can join when you choose to run preview builds Windows 11. Microsoft says that going forward, there are now only two main preview channels that attendees can choose from: Experimental and Beta.
Article continues below
The Windows 11 Beta channel remains, but with one important change: Microsoft is ending the CFR for participants in this channel. This means that new builds released to the Beta Channel will have all the features detailed in the changelog enabled by default, without the need to configure feature flags to gain access to them.
The Windows 11 Release Preview channel is also active and will continue to be a place to test production-ready builds of Windows 11 in the weeks before general availability.
This new Experimental and Beta channel system is more similar to how Microsoft manages the rollout of features in Edge. More experimental channels rely on feature flags for users to configure to gain access, while the Beta Channel is a first look at new features that Microsoft plans to ship soon.
The company is also making it easier to switch between the new Experimental, Beta and Release Preview channels. Soon, users will be able to switch between preview channels testing the same OS version via an in-place upgrade, eliminating the need to root your device to join a different Insider channel. However, this does not apply to those testing Future Platform builds.
Microsoft says these changes to the Windows Insider Program will begin rolling out in the coming weeks, and they’re designed to make it simpler and easier for people to try out Windows 11. Now, when you choose to try Windows preview builds, it’s much easier to get access to features documented in changelogs instead of waiting for weeks.
Existing Insiders already in the Canary or Dev channels will be automatically moved to the Experimental channel when available. Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview channels will remain where they already are. This is part of the changes Microsoft’s larger effort to fix Windows 11’s biggest flawsand tinkering with the previewer is a great way to start.
Join us Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your thoughts and discuss our latest news, reviews and more.
