Microsoft has officially closed the Windows 10 Beta Channel, transitioning all enrolled Windows Insiders to the Release Preview Channel. This decision follows the reopening of the Beta Channel in early June, which marked the first Beta build release in three years, since the last build was rolled out in 2021.
Transitioning Channels
On June 4, the Windows Insider team expressed the necessity of a dedicated space for active feature development. They stated, “To bring new features and more improvements to Windows 10 as needed, we need a place to do active feature development with Windows Insiders.” The reopening aimed to allow Insiders to test new features for Windows 10, version 22H2, before they were made available to the broader customer base.
However, just five months later, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of the Beta Channel without providing a detailed explanation or plans for its revival. All Insiders will now be automatically transitioned to the Release Preview Channel. The company has also urged customers to prepare for the end of support for Windows 10 by considering an upgrade to Windows 11.
The Windows Insider team confirmed, “This will be the last time we release a Windows 10 build to the Beta Channel as we will be shutting down the Beta Channel for Windows 10,” in a statement released on Thursday.
According to Statcounter Global Stats, over 60% of Windows systems globally still operate on Windows 10, while Windows 11, launched in October 2021, accounts for only 35% of the market share.
Windows 10 version 22H2, the final iteration of the operating system, will continue to receive monthly security updates until October 14, 2025. Post this date, Microsoft will cease to address bugs and vulnerabilities affecting Windows 10 systems.
In a recent announcement on October 31, Microsoft revealed that home users of Windows 10 can postpone their transition to Windows 11 for an additional year by purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU) for . Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, stated, “The ESU program for consumers will be a one-year option available for . Program enrollment will be available closer to the end of support in 2025.”
Furthermore, enterprise customers will have access to the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates starting November 1, 2024, with the first ESU set to be released in November 2025. Microsoft has indicated that more details regarding the cloud-based Extended Security Update offer will be shared in the future.
