Microsoft’s Windows Insider Program invites tech enthusiasts and power users to explore new features of Windows 11 before they are widely released. Recently, the program unveiled Recall AI to those in the Dev channel, providing a glimpse into the future of Windows. For those eager to experience these innovations firsthand, joining the Insider Program is a straightforward process, and we’ve outlined the steps to get started, as well as how to revert to a stable build if needed.
Join the Windows Insider Program
- Begin by registering for the Windows Insider Program using your Microsoft account.
- Ensure that you sign in on your PC with the same account. Open Settings by pressing “Windows + I,” then navigate to Accounts > Email & accounts to add your Microsoft account.
- Next, in Windows Settings, go to “Windows Update” and select “Windows Insider Program.”
- If “Open Diagnostics & feedback” appears, click on it.
- Activate the toggle next to “Send optional diagnostic data.”
- Return to the Windows Insider Program and click “Get started.”
- Select “Link an account” and choose your Microsoft account, then click “Continue.”
- Finally, pick the Insider channel you wish to join, click “Continue,” and restart your PC.
Note: For those looking for early access to features, the Release Preview channel is a safe choice. However, if you crave the latest innovations, consider the Beta, Dev, or Canary channels. Be aware that the latter two may present stability issues and necessitate a clean installation for reverting to a stable version.
- After restarting, revisit Windows Settings and navigate to “Windows Updates.” Click on “Check for updates.”
- The latest Insider build corresponding to your selected channel will begin downloading. If updates do not appear, enable the toggle “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” and try again.
- Upon installation, restart your Windows 11 PC to complete the transition to your chosen Insider channel.
Leave the Windows Insider Program
Before detailing the exit process, it’s important to note that users on the Release Preview or Beta channels can easily revert to a stable build without a clean installation. However, they will continue to receive preview builds until the next major Windows release is available. For those wishing to expedite their return to stability, a clean installation is necessary.
For participants in the Dev and Canary channels, unenrollment from preview builds is not an option without a manual clean installation. Here’s how to exit the Windows Insider Program:
- Open Windows Settings and navigate to Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
- Expand “Stop getting preview builds” and enable the toggle next to “Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases.”
- Upon the release of the next major Windows update, your device will automatically transition back to the stable build, retaining all your files and applications.
Engaging with the Windows Insider Program allows users to experiment with upcoming features, but it’s essential to remember that not all innovations will make it to the final stable version. Additionally, the Dev and Canary channels may introduce bugs that could disrupt your experience, so it’s advisable to avoid switching on your primary device unless you have a backup in place.
